BOOKS OF RtfiDIfGS - PAHO/WHO

ing and understaffing associated with each staffing
level. This information allows management to weigh the
impact of alternative staffing levels against cosís and at
the same time to comply with HSA and JCAH standards.
Scheduling complications
The average staffing levels of 30 nurses per day for fall
and winter and 36 nurses per day for spring and summer
appear most desirable in terms of overstaffing and
understaffing. The large turnover of nursing staff during
the spring and summer months (approximately 15
terminations or transfers out of the MICU between
March and September of 1977)1161 may have have implications
for scheduling vacations for experien..
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Ibe Journal oí unran Admenut l Fwbrlwuar) #lvTI
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FIGURE 2. SEASONAL M.CU
NURSING STAFF REQUIREMENTS
-
* ^4W : 38
810. Der. ' 2
nursos. Ncw graduate orientation to the MICU and education
in critical care, which also occur during spring
and summer can increase the average number of nurses
needed during these months.
While the simulation resultod in recommended staffing
of 30 or 36 nurses per day, levels which are lower
than the actual budgeted staffing (44 full-time nursing
positions per day) for the MICU, several considerations
must be noted. First, the staffing levels suggested by the
model do not include provisions for vacations, days off,
holidays, illness, absenteeism, and staff development
commitments. Second, the staffing recommendations
apply to situations in which every nurse is experier, -d in
critical care, has successfully completed the entire ICU
orientation, and has demonstrated safe, indc-endent
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20
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MtulnYm: 42
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