Safe Inpatient Staffing Levels

[Caverject]

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Is there any safety documents out there that gives a guideline to what is safe, minimal staffing for an inpatient pharmacy for 24/7 ops? I'm trying to find some literature, and maybe a smidgeon of antidotal evidence that perhaps some of you can describe this. My answer is 7 pharmacists, if allowed to let people go on leave, which is a realistic expectation. This is for a not so crazy busy 175 bed operation...Thanks!

 

[bacillus1]

7 sounds good, but those pharmacists wouldn't have time to do too many "clinical" functions such as therapeutic drug monitoring, admission and discharge med rec, etc...

 

[confettiflyer]

175 bed hospital for 24/7 coverage should comfortably get by with 4-5 pharmacists depending on level if automation, tech competency, and workflow. That's one overnight and 3-4 spread out over the day. This includes clinical activities.

 

[KARM12]

I have seen one study out there but don't know the reference off the top of my head. The staffing level depends on the acuity of patients too...lower patient to pharmacist ratio for ICU patients, but higher for things like labor/delivery

 

[Caverject]

175 bed hospital for 24/7 coverage should comfortably get by with 4-5 pharmacists depending on level if automation, tech competency, and workflow. That's one overnight and 3-4 spread out over the day. This includes clinical activities.

Are you also proposing the staff work 7 days a week? Don't forget, you need 2 pharmacists to cover your overnights and you need weekend coverage..

 

[type b pharmD]

Are you also proposing the staff work 7 days a week? Don't forget, you need 2 pharmacists to cover your overnights and you need weekend coverage..

I think 7 is a good number if you are including weekenders, relief, etc.

3-5 during daytime makes sense as well, depending on your automation, level of clinical programs etc

 

[confettiflyer]

Are you also proposing the staff work 7 days a week? Don't forget, you need 2 pharmacists to cover your overnights and you need weekend coverage..

I'm interpreting the OP to mean daily coverage requirements, not actual department level staff reqs

EDIT: oops, you are the OP and I only read the first line before replying, haha. I'll answer correctly when I get out of bed.

 

[Sparda29]

Our capacity at the hospital where I work FT is 200 beds. We have 2 7am-3pm pharmacists, 2 9am-5pm pharmacists, 1 10am-6pm pharmacist, 2 3pm-11pm pharmacists, and 1-2 pharmacists for the overnight (11pm-7am) depending on the day of the week.

IMO, it should be 1 7am-3pm, 1 8am-4pm, 2 9am-5pm, eliminate the 10am-6pm and replace with a 12pm-8pm, and keep the 2 3pm-11pm and 1-2 11pm-7am.