Journal of Research and Development
Open Access

Abstract

From Station to Bedside and Beyond: Clinical Nursing Workflow Processes in Cardiovascular and Oncology Units

Ronnell D Dela Rosa

The efficiency of nurses in spending their time and effort is a substantial facet of service to health consumers. The proficiency of nurses in accomplishing their tasks greatly affects their care to clients. Utilizing a time and motion study, the research provided understanding on how nurses in a selected tertiary private hospital spent their time and space, devoted their efforts, experienced workflow challenges and prospects which were specifically focused in their different activities in the units, station, bedside and other specified settings.
Nurses from a selected tertiary hospital partaken in different research protocols premeditated to assess how nurses spend their time, nurse location and movement, and perceived effort in doing their activities. Categories of activities (nursing practice, unit-related functions, non- clinical activities, and waste) and locations (patient room, nurse station, on-unit, off-unit) were used in the study as its framework. Total distance traveled and the time spent doing an activity in a particular location were also scrutinized. Distance traveled was also evaluated across shifts. Findings suggested that nurses devoted their time to nursing practice but more on documentation, medication administration and coordination of care. Only a miniscule time and effort were exerted to direct patient care activities, patient assessment and vital signs taking. Challenges and prospects were also identified. The study provided valuable inputs to improve the efficiency of nursing care specifically focused on documentation, medication administration, and care coordination. Paradigm shift in the use of technology, workflow processes, unit organization and design is recommended to facilitate efficient use of time and effort of nurses in the delivery of safe and quality of care.