Workload Indicators of Staffing Need Method in Determining Anesthesia and Surgical Technologist Staff in Operating Room

Abstract

Background: Human resources in health are limited, and a variety of healthcare services are increasing, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the anesthesia and surgical technologist staff for operating room based on the Workload Indicators of Staffing Need (WISN).Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at Shahid Madani Medical and Training Hospital in 2019. The data collected through interview and hospital documents observation. The WISN method was used to analyze and determine staffing need.Results: The WISN ratio for anesthesia and surgical technologist staff were 1.60 and 4.94, respectively. In other words, in both categories, this ratio is >1.00. Conclusions: WISN results can used to assess staffing capacity and capability over the previous year and the policy and financial implications due to staff shortages or surplus. As the workload of staff is an important issue and the staff have a right to have a standard workload in their position, then determining this workload is an essential issue in healthcare organization. Also, WISN method work as a human resource management tools, it improvers health managers to make right decision about staffing needs and then better manage of organization’s resources.