Mapping workforce configuration and operational models in australian emergency departments : A national survey
Journal article
Gardner, Glenn, Gardner, Anne, Middleton, Sandy, Considine, Julie, Fitzgerald, Gerard, Christofis, Luke, Doubrovsky, Anna, Adams, Margaret and O'Connell, Jane. (2018). Mapping workforce configuration and operational models in australian emergency departments : A national survey. Australian Health Review. 42(3), pp. 340-347. https://doi.org/10.1071/AH16231
Authors | Gardner, Glenn, Gardner, Anne, Middleton, Sandy, Considine, Julie, Fitzgerald, Gerard, Christofis, Luke, Doubrovsky, Anna, Adams, Margaret and O'Connell, Jane |
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Abstract | Objective Hospital emergency departments (ED) in Australia and internationally have been experiencing increased demand, resulting in reduced hospital quality, impaired access and adverse health outcomes. Effective evaluation of new ED service models and their effect on outcomes is reliant on baseline measures of the staffing configuration and organisational characteristics of the EDs being studied. The aim of the present study was to comprehensively measure these variables in Australian EDs. Methods Australian hospital EDs with 24-h medical and nursing cover were identified and invited to participate in the study. Telephone interviews were conducted with nursing or medical department managers to collect data related to hospital characteristics, ED workforce and training and ED service and operational models. Results Surveys were completed in 87% of the population sample (n = 135). Metropolitan EDs were significantly more likely to retain higher full-time equivalents (FTEs) in several medical (staff specialist, registrar, resident and intern) and nursing (nurse practitioner (NP), nurse educator, nurse unit manager and registered nurse) positions. NPs were employed by 52% of Australian EDs overall, but this ranged from 40% to 75% depending on jurisdiction. The most commonly used operational models were FastTrack teams (72% of EDs), short-stay/observational unit (59%) and patient liaison models for aged care (84%) and mental health (61%). EDs that employed NPs were significantly more likely to use FastTrack (P = 0.002). Allied health services most frequently available within these EDs were radiology (60%), social work (69%), physiotherapy (70%) and pharmacy (65%). Conclusions The present study has established a baseline measure of the staffing configuration and organisational characteristics of Australian EDs. |
Keywords | models of care |
Year | 2018 |
Journal | Australian Health Review |
Journal citation | 42 (3), pp. 340-347 |
Publisher | CSIRO Publishing |
ISSN | 1449-8944 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1071/AH16231 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85040291496 |
Open access | Open access |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 340-347 |
Funder | Australian Research Council (ARC) |
Research Group | Nursing Research Institute |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 18 May 2017 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 14 Mar 2017 |
ARC Funded Research | This output has been funded, wholly or partially, under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 |
Grant ID | ARC/LP140100320 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/88w43/mapping-workforce-configuration-and-operational-models-in-australian-emergency-departments-a-national-survey
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Publisher's version
OA_Gardner_2018_Mapping_workforce_configuration_and_operational_models.pdf | |
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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