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Obstetric anaesthetists' workload *
Author(s) -
Wee M. Y. K.,
Yentis S. M.,
Thomas P.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1046/j.0003-2409.2001.02402.x
Subject(s) - workload , staffing , medicine , audit , session (web analytics) , nursing , medical emergency , accounting , world wide web , computer science , business , operating system
Summary The current recommendation of one consultant session per 500 deliveries with full sessional cover␣for units over 3000 deliveries is arbitrary and is not based on workload. The Audit Commission has questioned the wide variability of anaesthetic staffing on labour wards. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between current workload and obstetric anaesthetic staffing in five maternity units. In 1998, a 2‐week diary of workload in the participating obstetric units was assessed in terms of staffing and clinical and nonclinical activities. The busiest time was 08:00 to 12:30. The working patterns between consultants and trainees varied considerably. Time spent on nonclinical activity by consultants averaged 51%. Any calculation of consultant sessions will need to take into account nonclinical activities. Other factors requiring consideration are the number of high‐risk cases, as well as the number and experience of trainees.