Workload measurement in long term care pharmacy

Abstract

This paper describes the implementation of the Canadian Hospital Pharmacy Workload Measurement System (CHPWMS) by the pharmacy department of a 475-bed long term care facility. The CHPWMS description of a computerized individual patient prescription service provided the basis for the implementation. Following an initial appraisal of similarities between chronic care pharmacy services and the services outlined by CHPWMS, a program was developed and evaluated with the assistance of a pharmacist consultant. During a four-month trial all measurable work was recorded in a process that separated reportable (CHPWMS-defined) activities from other work activities. Eighty percent of the department's workload was accountable as reportable units using standard times. Nonreportable workload was documented using actual times, and adapted standard times. Dispensing accounted for the largest proportion of workload (79%). Manufacturing was the most frequently performed nonreportable activity. Pharmacist workload supported the desired level of 50% nondispensing activities. The productivity index of available worked hours was 70%. The consistent pattern of the recording suggested staff commitment. The program has been used to justify and monitor staffing levels.