Computer integration and time spent on direct patient nutritional care activities in an outpatient dialysis setting.
OBJECTIVE
To compare time spent in patient and administrative activities by nutrition professionals in a group of dialysis facilities, and relate differences to the degree of computer integration at the sites and between 2 time periods.


METHODS
Survey design, self-administered activity form, completed in 1992 and 1997.


METHODS
Three of the largest outpatient dialysis centers in western Washington state.


METHODS
Ten nutrition professionals completed the activity forms.


METHODS
Activity form (recording time), questionnaire (results not reported here).


METHODS
Amount of time spent on administrative activities in 1997 and the number of patients and number of hours per nutrition professional per month spent with patients in 1997, compared with 1992.


RESULTS
Time spent on administrative activities decreased in all facilities since 1992, with the largest decrease at the unit having the most computer integration.


CONCLUSIONS
Extensive computer integration seems to allow for a decrease in the amount of time spent on administrative activities by nutrition professionals.
Berlin
D P
DP
Nutritional Sciences Program, Seattle, WA, USA.
Wilkens
K
K
Cheney
C
C
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003201:Computers; D004046:Dietetics; D006801:Humans; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D005791:Patient Care; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors