Occupancy data: unravelling the mystery
Main Article Content
Keywords
bed occupancy, nursing workload, nursing resources
Abstract
Objective: The main purpose of this study was to clarify the method used to calculate bed occupancy rates.
Design: Qualitative, using semi‑structured face‑to‑face interviews, telephone interviews and email correspondence with internal and external stakeholders, as well as analysis of key documents.
Setting: A tertiary hospital in Queensland, Australia.
Participants: Nursing and administrative staff from 34 clinical areas, nurse managers and finance officers.
Main outcome measure: Identification of the method used to calculate bed occupancy.
Results: A number of issues potentially impact on the accuracy of occupancy data including timeliness of data entry, knowledge about what should be entered and skill deficits. There was also considerable confusion and misinformation about how occupancy data is calculated, used and reported.
Conclusion: Occupancy data integrity may be compromised by timeliness and accuracy of data entry and by methods used for calculation. Until these problems are resolved, occupancy remains a woolly measure on which to estimate nursing resources.
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Johanna Stevenson BN, RN, RM
Midwifery and Nurse Manager, Women’s and Newborn Services. Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Susan Anderson BN, RN
Nurse Manager, Cancer Care Services. Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Kate Veach BN, Grad Cert Health Management, RN
Nurse Manager, Internal Medicine Services. Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Bette‑Anne Hine Grad Cert Neuroscience Nursing, RN
Nurse Unit Manager, Surgical and Perioperative Services. Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Joan Webster BA, RN
Nursing Director Research. Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Adjunct Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University. Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Queensland. Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queensland University of Technology. [email protected]
Lesley Fleming M. Health Serv. Mgt, RN
Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery Services. Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Sonya Osborne PhD, RN
Nurse Manager, Research Translation and Practice Innovation. Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queensland University of Technology.