[Service productivity in hospital nursing--conceptual framework of a productivity analysis].
OBJECTIVE
Decreasing staff numbers compounded by an increasing number of cases is regarded as main challenge in German hospital nursing. These input reductions accompanied by output extensions imply that hospital nursing services have had to achieve a continuous productivity growth in the recent years. Appropriately targeted productivity enhancements require approved and effective methods for productivity acquisition and measurement. However, there is a lack of suitable productivity measurement instruments for hospital nursing services. This deficit is addressed in the present study by the development of an integrated productivity model for hospital nursing services. Conceptually, qualitative as well as quantitative aspects of nursing services productivity are equally taken into consideration.


METHODS
Based on systematic literature reviews different conceptual frameworks of service productivity and the current state of research in hospital nursing services productivity were analysed. On this basis nursing sensitive inputs, processes and outputs were identified and integrated into a productivity model.


RESULTS
As an adequate framework for a hospital nursing services productivity model the conceptual approach by Grönroos/Ojasalo was identified. The basic structure of this model was adapted stepwise to our study purpose by integrating theoretical and empirical findings from the research fields of service productivity, nursing productivity as well as national and international nursing research. Special challenges existed concerning the identification of relevant influencing factors as well as the representation of nursing sensitive outputs. The final result is an integrated productivity model, which can be used as an adequate framework for further research in hospital nursing productivity.


CONCLUSIONS
Research on hospital nursing services productivity is rare, especially in Germany. The conceptual framework developed in this study builds on established knowledge in service productivity research. The theoretical findings have been advanced and adapted to the context of German hospital nursing services. The presented productivity model represents a unique combination of services and nursing services research, which did not exist so far. By operationalisation of the model's components it can be used as the basis for further empirical -research.
Lehrstuhl für Medizinmanagement, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen.
D
D
Thomas
Lehrstuhl für Personal- und Unternehmensführung, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg.
M
M
Borchert
Lehrstuhl für Personal- und Unternehmensführung, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg.
N
N
Brockhaus
Lehrstuhl für Dienstleistungsmanagement und Handel, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg.
L
L
Jäschke
Lehrstuhl für Dienstleistungsmanagement und Handel, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg.
G
G
Schmitz
Lehrstuhl für Medizinmanagement, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen.
J
J
Wasem
D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D005858:Germany; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016526:Workload