Oncology Nursing Considerations when Developing Outpatient Staffing and Acuity Models

Abstract

Objectives: Objectives include review of existing benchmarks and nurse-sensitive indicators relevant to the ambulatory care setting. Applying the data to existing ambulatory staffing models with consideration of multiple clinic settings that include medical oncology, infusion, and stem cell transplant clinics. And to describe key considerations needed to optimize oncology care efficiently with an acuity-based staffing model.

Data sources: Published literature indexed in PubMed, CINAHL, textbooks.

Conclusion: In today's complex oncology environment, optimization and utilization of outpatient facilities is essential in providing high-quality care and improving satisfaction of patients as well as providers and staff.

Implications for nursing practice: Nurse leaders should utilize benchmarking data to ensure staffing levels are appropriate, given the size and scope of their facility. Staff nurses should be engaged to ensure that acuity tools are developed in accordance with their experiences and perceptions of patient care.

Keywords: Acuity; Ambulatory care model; Ambulatory staffing models; Nurse to patient ratio; Staffing.