125 research outputs found
Staffing in postnatal units: is it adequate for the provision of quality care? Staff perspectives from a state-wide review of postnatal care in Victoria, Australia
BACKGROUND: State-wide surveys of recent mothers conducted over the past decade in Victoria, one state of Australia, have identified that women are consistently less satisfied with the care they received in hospital following birth compared with other aspects of maternity care. Little is known of caregivers' perspectives on the provision ofhospital postnatal care: how care is organised and provided in different hospitals; what constrains the provision of postnatal care (apart from funding) and what initiatives are being undertaken to improve service delivery. A state-widereview of organisational structures and processes in relation to the provision of hospital postnatal care in Victoria was undertaken. This paper focuses on the impact of staffing issues on the provision of quality postnatal care from the perspective of care providers. METHODS: A study of care providers from Victorian public hospitals that provide maternity services was undertaken. Datawere collected in two stages. Stage one: a structured questionnaire was sent to all public hospitals in Victoria that provided postnatal care (n = 73), exploring the structure and organisation of care (e.g. staffing, routine observations, policy framework and discharge planning). Stage two: 14 maternity units were selected and invited to participate in a more in-depth exploration of postnatal care. Thirty-eight key informant interviews were undertaken with midwives (including unit managers, associate unit managers and clinical midwives) and a medical practitioner from eachselected hospital. RESULTS: Staffing was highlighted as a major factor impacting on the provision of quality postnatal care. There were significant issues associated with inadequate staff/patient ratios; staffing mix; patient mix; prioritisation of birth suites over postnatal units; and the use of non-permanent staff. Forty-three percent of hospitals reported having only midwives (i.e. no non-midwives) providing postnatal care. Staffing issues impact on hospitals' ability to provide continuity of care. Recruitment and retention of midwives are significant issues, particularly in rural areas. CONCLUSION: Staffing in postnatal wards is a challenging issue, and varies with hospital locality and model of care. Staff/patient ratios and recruitment of midwives in rural areas are the two areas that appear to have the greatest negative impact on staffing adequacy and provision of quality care. Future research on postnatal care provision should include consideration of any impact on staff and staffing
Working time in Europe The duration and flexibility of working time in 17 European countries
(EIRR - European Industrial Relations Review)Available from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:3666.758(EIRR--5) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo
Employee participation in Europe Works councils, worker directors and other forms of participation in 15 European countries
(EIRR - European Industrial Relations Review)Available from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:3666.758(EIRR--4) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo
Recruitment in Europe A guide to the main issues in 10 countries
SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:3666.758(EIRR-R--8) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo
Collective bargaining, trade unions and employers' organisations in Europe A guide to 15 European countries
(EIRR - European Industrial Relations Review)SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:3666.758(EIRR-R--7) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo
Effective ways of recruiting and retaining women A survey of practice from Recruitment and Development Report
40.00Available from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:q90/00277(Effective) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo
The Social Charter and its action programme
(EIRR - European Industrial Relations Review)Available from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:3666.758(EIRR-R--6) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo
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