A computational application for multi-skill nurse staffing in hospital units

Abstract

The method allows the determining of staff level per shift and skill depending on the mix of patients' illness severity. Hospital management is offered the possibility of optimizing the staff level using a spreadsheet, a tool most managers are familiar with. In addition, it is possible to evaluate the implications of decisions on workforce dimensioning by simulating different demand scenarios. This tool can be easily adapted to other hospitals, using local rules and legislation.