[A project to ameliorate nurses working overtime in psychiatry ward].
BACKGROUND
The authors found nurses working in psychiatry wards were frequently required to work overtime, with average overtime measuring 85 minutes. After analysis, we found main factors leading to overtime to be late new patient admissions, tardy ward inspections by attending physicians, failure to implement workplace regulations, failure by nurses to implement proper shift transfer procedures, and meeting-related delays.


OBJECTIVE
This paper proposes an approach by which average overtime for psychiatry ward nurses may be reduced from 85 to 30 minutes.


METHODS
Based on findings, the researchers adjusted the schedule for ward visits by attending physicians, updated and streamlined workplace regulations, ensured administrative procedures were precisely followed, and updated and streamlined standing orders.


RESULTS
Average overtime was reduced from 85 to 25 minutes.


CONCLUSIONS
This research facilitated a reduction in the amount of overtime registered by nurses.
Feng
Yuen-Hsiang
YH
Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, ROC. fang486@mail.hwai.edu.tw
Li
Hsiu-Chen
HC
Fang
Mao-So
MS
D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D013997:Time Factors; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload