title: Establishing a computerized off-duty roster: let the computer take the strain.
abstract: This article details aspects of implementing a computer-aided off-duty roster (the 'off-duty'). Fundamental problems with off-duty production are highlighted. The development of a computer-aided system in the Oxford A & E Department is described. This package has successfully been implemented and is currently overseen by a nurse with minimal computer experience. This simple spreadsheet implementation has reduced errors and greatly reduced the nursing time and effort required to produce the off-duty rota. It delivers clear, easily updatable rotas and makes audit easy and quick to produce and analyse.
authors.affiliation: Oxford Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bright
mesh_terms: D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D010562:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling Information Systems; D000078329:Workforce