title: Weighted staffing plans for better prediction of staffing needs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the effect of patient turnover and acuity on worked hours per patient day (WHPPD).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  An examination of staffing plans publically posted by Massachusetts hospitals with more than 300 beds revealed that less than 40% were within 5% of their planned versus actual WHPPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three years of WHPPD data collected from 14 adult acute care units were correlated with patient turnover and acuity data. A weight factor was retrospectively added to 8 paired units' planned WHPPD where correlations were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve units (86%) showed significant correlations between WHPPD and patient turnover. Correlations between patient acuity and WHPPD were significant only at the aggregate level. After weighting WHPPD, the 8 paired units demonstrated a decreased variance between planned and actual WHPPD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using a weight factor added to WHPPD to right size acute care medical-surgical units may be useful for accurate staff planning and budgeting.
authors: Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester 01655, USA.
authors: Shirley J
authors: SJ
authors: Tierney
authors: Paulette
authors: P
authors: Seymour-Route
authors: Sybil
authors: S
authors: Crawford
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000458:organization & administration; D006742:Hospital Bed Capacity; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008404:Massachusetts; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D016526:Workload