A Case Study in Turkey-Importance of Right Nurse Staffing Plans and Ratios in Turkish Private Hospitals (Acibadem Healthcare Group)

Shortage of nurses in Turkey has gained momentum in recent years and severely threatens nursing profession. However, medical errors caused by lack of nurse staffing, patient outcomes, increased infection rate, nurse burnout, nursing injuries negatively affect the nurse-patient and hospital management at the same rate. Today, arrangements on nurse staffing plan are still made according to the prediction of the director nurse. Over the past 10 years, floors reshaped according to nursing needs of patients and the number of nurses included in staffing plan display a more realistic picture. Other than the number of nurses assigned to floors, the factor of nurse workload planning is also an issue avoided to be expressed in Turkey. The number of patients per nurse is twice the figure recommended and no arrangement has been made on this matter, leading to inefficient use of the nursing workforce. Our staffing plan based on patient care needs (Acuity) which we introduced into Acibadem Healthcare Group in 2005 offers a realistic approach to hospital managers by considering the number of required and available nursing staff members and seasonal changes. Study method is based on literature support, and our staffing plans we put into use since 2009 when they are described.