Estimating staffing requirements using workload indicators of staffing need at Braun District Hospital in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

Dimiri, Dixon; Mek, Nelson; Apini, Mary Therese; Ali, Thelma; Pumuye, Grace Turi; Laka, Varage John; Jogo, Rosemary; Kari, Pamela; Deki; Mollent, Okech; Luo, Dapeng; Maalsen, Anna; Yapi, Katu; Madodo, Robin

doi:10.1186/s12960-021-00677-x

Human Resources for Health

Table 2 Workload components and activity standards and annual statistics collected

From: Estimating staffing requirements using workload indicators of staffing need at Braun District Hospital in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

Medical officers
Workload components	Service standards	Annual-2019
Health service activities (Group 1 activities)
Consultations	20 min per patient	5880
Admissions	30 min per patient	3920
Ward rounds	20 min per patient	3920
Minor surgeries	17 min per patient	6918
Intermediate surgeries	45 min per patient	2613
Major surgeries	259 min per patient	454
Medical procedures	30 min per patient	3920
Complex deliveries	60 min per patient	520
Referrals	15 min per patient	321
Assault and injuries	30 min per patient	1840
Death declaration	10 min per patient	35
Discharge	10 min per patient	5524
Re-attendances	15 min per patient	11,760
Support activities (Group 2 activities)
Morning devotion	45 min per day
Daily debriefs	20 min per day
Clinical case presentations	1 h per week
Meeting of paramedics	1 h per month
Staff meetings	12 h per year
Continuous medical education	24 h per year
Outreaches	20 days/year
Additional activities (Group 3 activities)
Staff supervision	12 h per year
Supervision of students	16 h per year
General administration	30 min per day
Surveillance reporting	32 h per year
Monthly reports	12 h per year
Medical legal duties	8 h/year

Dental therapists
Health service/group 1	No. per year	Service standard/unit	Standard workload
Dental examinations	340	15 min/patient	8000
Referrals	20	10 min/patient	12,000
Tooth extractions	340	45 min/patient	2667
Temporary dressings	18	30 min/patient	4000
Patient management	340	45 min/patient	2667
2. Laboratory assistant
Malaria smear	3261	25 min/sample	4800
Malaria RDT	515	10 min/sample	12,000
White cell count	3154	12 min/sample	10,000
WBC differential	194	28 min/sample	4286
ESR	146	15 min/sample	8000
Platelet count	17	12 min/sample	10,000
Total lymphocyte count	19	12 min/sample	10,000
VDRL	353	10 min/sample	12,000
TPHA	438	10 min/sample	12,000
HIV testing	182	20 min/sample	6000
Hepatitis B	242	20 min/sample	6000
Widal test	46	20 min/sample	6000
Pregnancy test	69	5 min/sample	24,000
Urinalysis strip	396	5 min/sample	24,000
Urinalysis microscopy	136	10 min/sample	12,000
Blood fluid split	17	5 min/sample	24,000
Blood fluid microscopy	15	10 min/sample	12,000
AFB	854	35 min/sample	3429
Other body fluids	36	10 min/sample	12,000
Gram stain	32	10 min/sample	12,000
Blood grouping	719	10 min/sample	12,000
Cross match	250	15 min/sample	8000
Blood collection	173	20 min/sample	6000
BSL	79	7 min/sample	17,143
Stool for OCP	10	8 min/sample	15,000
CSF exam	1	9 min/sample	13,333
Alkaline phosphate	57	6 min/sample	20,000
Amylase	14	6 min/sample	20,000
Cholinesterase	6	6 min/sample	20,000
Gamma glutamyl	58	6 min/sample	20,000
Aspartate A	75	6 min/sample	20,000
Alanine Amino	63	6 min/sample	20,000
Leucine Amino	5	6 min/sample	20,000
Albumin	61	6 min/sample	20,000
Blood urea nitrogen	81	6 min/sample	20,000
Calcium	7	6 min/sample	20,000
Creatine	116	6 min/sample	20,000
Direct bilirubin	10	6 min/sample	20,000
Total bilirubin	49	6 min/sample	20,000
Total cholesterol	1	6 min/sample	20,000
Triglyceride	9	6 min/sample	20,000
Total protein	37	6 min/sample	20,000
Uric acid	81	6 min/sample	20,000
Sodium	99	6 min/sample	20,000
Potassium	159	6 min/sample	20,000
Chloride	74	6 min/sample	20,000
C-reactive protein	4	6 min/sample	20,000
Hepatitis c	25	20 min/sample	6000
3.Health Extension Officer
TB consultations	160	30 min/patient	3680
Deaths	2	10 min/patient	11,040
Patient reviews	160	120 min/patient	920
Admission	160	20 min/patient	5520
In patient care for TB	160	20 min/patient	5520
Ward rounds	1443	20 min/patient	5520
Dispensing of TB drugs	160	7 min/patient	15,771
Referrals	2	10 min/patient	11,040
Discharges	156	20 min/patient	5520
Assist in minor surgeries	401	17 min/patient	6494
4. Medical Officer
Consultations	1,784	20 min/patient	5880
Admissions	1143	30 min/patient	3920
Ward rounds	1143	20 min/patient	5880
Minor surgical procedures	401	17 min/patient	6918
Intermediate surgeries	319	45 min/patient	2613
Major surgeries	70	259 min/patient	454
Medical procedures	82	30 min/patient	3920
Complex deliveries	31	60 min/patient	1960
Referrals	251	15 min/patient	7840
Assault and injuries	136	30 min/patient	3920
Death declaration	38	10 min/patient	11,760
Discharge	1401	10 min/patient	11,760
Re-attendances	7853	15 min/patient	7840
5. Midwives
Admissions	335	20 min/patient	5664
Nursing care	335	600 min/patient	189
Labour management	335	240 min/patient	472
Ward rounds	335	20 min/patient	5664
Normal deliveries	335	45 min/patient	2517
Immediate Newborn care	362	35 min/patient	3237
Newborn care	364	15 min/patient	7552
Post- natal care	362	20 min/patient	5664
Discharges	364	10 min/patient	11,328
Care of the dead	2	30 min/patient	3776
6. Nurses—outpatient
Antenatal clinic	352	40 min/patient	2820
Subsequent visit	420	25 min/patient	4512
Immunization injections	6176	25 min/patient	4512
Immunization oral	2348	15 min/patient	7520
Family planning—condoms	8	10 min/patient	11,280
Family planning—injection	309	20 min/patient	5640
Family planning—insertible	156	30 min/patient	3760
Family planning—natural	15	25 min/patient	4512
Family planning —oral	21	10 min/patient	11,280
Removal of implants	2108	25 min/patient	4512
Malnutrition management	240	25 min/patient	4512
Well baby clinic	240	25 min/patient	4512
7. Ophthalmic assistant
OPD consultations	5284	20 min/patient	5448
Review of patients	796	10 min/patient	10,896
Assessment of refractions	579	25 min/patient	4358
Glass prescriptions	579	5 min/patient	21,792
Assistant in cataract surgery	182	20 min/patient	5448
Assessment of cataracts	182	35 min/patient	3113
Referrals	104	15 min/patient	7264
Removal of foreign objects	16	10 min/patient	10,896
Fundoscopy	16	15 min/patient	7264
Eye irrigation	16	20 min/patient	5448
Application of ointment	5284	10 min/patient	10,896
Post-cataract counselling	220	25 min/patient	4358
8. Nurse inpatient
Management of TB	160	25 min/patient	4685
Care of the dead	39	35 min/patient	3346
Medical procedures	2866	45 min/patient	2603
Discharges	2866	20 min/patient	6856
Formula preparation	120	50 min/patient	2342
Burns	5	75 min/patient	1562
Post-operative care	763	35 min/patient	3346
Referrals	141	30 min/patient	3904
Wound dressing	20	74 min/patient	1583
Blood transfusion	35	30 min/patient	3904
Pre-operative care	763	45 min/patient	2603
Ward rounds	2866	75 min/patient	1562
OPD assessment	5928	20 min/patient	5856
Admissions	2866	20 min/patient	5856
Administration of medications	5928	25 min/patient	4685
Review of patients	4650	20 min/patient	5856
Sample collection	1076	20 min/patient	5856
Nursing care	2866	600 min/inpatient day	195
9. Theatre nurse
Minor surgical procedures	384	17 min/patient	6635
Intermediate surgeries	309	45 min/patient	2507
Major surgeries	70	259 min/patient	436
10. Anaesthetic Technical Officer
Minor surgical procedures	384	17 min/patient	7059
Intermediate surgeries	309	45 min/patient	2667
Major surgeries	70	259 min/patient	463
11. Physiotherapist
Assessment of patients	123	60 min/patient	1760
Review of patients—wards	232	45 min/patient	2347
Ward rounds	232	10 min/patient	10,560
Management of adults	208	50 min/patient	2112
Management of minors	27	35 min/patient	3017
Manual interventions	345	74 min/patient	1427
Mobility training	180	60 min/patient	1760
Deep breathing exercises	24	45 min/patient	2347
12. Pharmacy assistant
Dispensing of dangerous drugs	471	30 min/patient	3920
Medicines dispensing	7313	25 min/patient	4704
Pre-packaging services	7784	17 min/patient	6918
Compounding	363	40 min/patient	2940
13. X-ray assistant
Plain radiographs	3105	30 min/patient	4000
ECG	62	45 min/patient	2667

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ISSN: 1478-4491

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