Evaluation of indirect nursing care practices in a private hospital

Abstract

Aim: It is important to manage nursing workload efficiently in order to provide safe and effective services. This study was conducted to assess indirect nursing care practices in a private hospital. Method: Sixty-five nurses working twenty-four different shifts were surveyed using a form to identify patient and unit-related indirect nursing practices. Time spent on both indirect practises were measured by a stopwatch. Data were evaluated using average, percentage, and the Kolmogorov Smirnov test. Results: The average time spent for patient-related indirect nursing practices was more than one hour per patient (1.11 +/- 0.20 hours) and time required for unit-related indirect activities was almost one hour (53.79 min.) in each shift. Time spent on patient-related indirect practices did not differ based on unit/ward or work shifts, and 25% of patientrelated indirect care practices and 35% of unit-related tasks could be reassigned to other support staff or health care profession. Conclusion: It is possible for nurses to save time by having some patient and unit-related indirect practices excluded from the nursing workload.