title: Finding the productivity standard in your acuity system.
abstract: What is a realistic patient workload for nurses to handle on a given shift? Should the workload vary from shift-to-shift and nurse-to-nurse? This article describes how (1) the authors identified the standard inherent in their patient classification system; (2) the system is used to establish department workload standards; (3) managers comply with the established standard; and (4) nursing costs are affected when compliance with the standard is not achieved.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing, University of Missouri-Columbia Hospital.
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Nauert
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D004526:Efficiency; D008331:Management Information Systems / Q000379:methods*; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D010361:Patients / Q000145:classification; D010562:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling Information Systems / Q000379:methods*; D012015:Reference Standards; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D013996:Time and Motion Studies