A Computerized Model Quantifying the Impact of Geographical Patient-Bed Assignment on Nurse Workload and Quality Care

Patient-bed assignments with greater distances between patient beds lead to increased nurse workload and decreased care quality. Quantifying this effect is a challenge. A nurse-focused approach to computerized flow-simulation was developed to proactively quantify the impact of patient-bed assignment locations in terms of nurse workload and care quality. These models integrate available evidence that shifts the conversation of healthcare system design and nurse workload management toward a more evidence-based use of quantitative indicators.
Excessive nurse workload compromises patient care quality and contributes to poor health for nurses (Alghamdi, 2016). The effects of these issues in terms of absenteeism and turnover cost healthcare systems [...]