Staffing Based on Nursing Care Needs in Out-patient Unit of Nakhonchaisi Hospital, Nakhon Pathom

Abstract

          The objective of this descriptive research was to study the nursing needs, classified by patients’ average daily illness categories in Nakhonchaisi Hospital. The nursing staffing capacity should be based on nursing needs by comparing the formula for calculating the manpower designed by the Nursing Division (Formula IV) and the manpower framework according to the administration structure of the community hospital, Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). The samples in this study were 12 nursing staff, and 299 patients who came for service per day on average. The data were collected between 4-31 January 2017. The research tools included classification manual for patients, record of direct nursing activities, and other activities of individual patients. The information of the patients included 174 general patients, 1 new diabetes case and 67 old cases, 1 new high blood pressure case and 48 old cases, 1 new asthmatic case, 1 case of AIDS counseling and 3 cases of consultation for methamphetamine abuse. The nursing staff team included 8 professional nurses and 4 nurse-aids. The data were analyzed by using frequency andpercentage.

          The results of this research were as follows:

          1) The amount of nursing needs was a total of 6,343.56 minutes/patient/day.

          2) The nursing personnel capacity based on the nursing care needs was 15 nursing staff, including 10 professional nurses and 5 nurse-aids, according tothe Nursing Division’s formula and was 15 nursing staff, but also including 9 professional nurses and 6 nurse-aids, according to the manpower framework of community hospital of MOPH.

          3) Comparing nursing staffing levels according to nursing needs, the calculation formula of the Nursing Devision and framework of the administration structure of the community hospital in the Ministry of Public Health was found difference.