Nursing resource implications of the unoccupied bed

Abstract

Objective To explore the specific factors that impact on nursing resources in relation to the 'unoccupied bed'. Design A descriptive observational study was used to identify and classify tasks associated with an 'unoccupied bed' Methods Four project nurses held informal discussions with all levels of staff in four divisions of the hospital (surgery, internal medicine, cancer care and women's and newborn). Field notes were made throughout the process and the project nurses met regularly to compare findings and identify similarities. Results This study identified three main areas of nursing work, which centre on the 'unoccupied bed': 1) bed preparation for admission; 2) temporary transfer; 3) bed preparation post patient discharge. Conclusion The unoccupied bed is not resource neutral and may involve considerable nursing time. The time associated with each of the reasons for the bed being unoccupied remains to be quantified.