[Management of short-term absence in a hospital : empirical investigations for implementation of an intervention protocol]

Abstract

Short-term absence is an important cost factor and its impact is a challenge for all management levels. In this study the effectiveness of a supportive intervention scheme for the reduction of hospital short-term absenteeism is demonstrated. Short-term absenteeism is defined here as being away from the working place for less than 5 days. The study design, which was created by forming an intervention and reference group at a departmental level, ensured neutrality of the participants and therefore high reliability of the results produced. A total of 2,398 employees in 74 organizational units were included. The intervention group included 27 organizational units and the reference group 22. In 25 units employees were either randomized into the control or the reference group. Of the employees 986 were randomized into the intervention group and 1,412 into the control group. Before the formal implementation of the intervention concept, the absence rate was 1.51% in the control group and 1.48% in the intervention group (not significant). In the units of the intervention study arm the absence rate was reduced by 30% to 1.16%. When comparing the results at the employee level, the absence rate in the intervention group was significantly lower than in the control group (0.78% versus 1.17%, p<0.01). Furthermore the effects of the intervention concept were sustained even after the formal ending of the intervention period. This activity has a significant influence on both the absenteeism statistics and the hospital's performance. An implementation of the scheme mainly in the core departments of the hospital, such as the operating theatre, anesthesiology and intensive care has proven to be very helpful.