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OBJECTIVE To explore the frequency of different nursing tasks in medical and surgical wards. BACKGROUND The time nurses spend on direct patient care is important for both patients and nurses. However, little is known about the time nurses spend on various nursing tasks. METHODS A real-time, repeated measures design conducted amongst 67 (n = 39 medical, n = 28 surgical) UK hospital nurses. Between September 2011 and August 2012 participants completed an electronic diary version of a classification of nursing tasks (WOMBAT) during shifts. RESULTS A total of 961 real-time measures of nursing task were obtained. Direct patient care [median = 37.5%, interquartile range = 27.8], indirect care (median = 11.1%, interquartile range = 19.4) and medication (median = 11.1%, interquartile range = 18.8) were most commonly reported. Participants were interrupted in 62% of entries (interquartile range = 35), reported adequate time in 78% (interquartile range = 31) and adequate resources in 89% (interquartile range = 36). Ward-related tasks were significantly more frequent on medical wards than surgical wards but otherwise there were no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS Nurses spend the highest proportion of time in direct patient care and majority of this on core nursing activities. Interruptions to tasks are common. Nurses tend to report adequate time/resources. The frequency of nursing tasks is similar in medical and surgical wards. CONCLUSIONS Nurse managers should review the level of interruptions to nurses' work and ensure appropriate levels of supervision.
Barbara Farquharson, and
Cheryl Bell, and
Derek Johnston, and
Martyn Jones, and
Pat Schofield, and
Julia Allan, and
Ian Ricketts, and
Kenny Morrison, and
Marie Johnston
January 2018,
Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research,
Barbara Farquharson, and
Cheryl Bell, and
Derek Johnston, and
Martyn Jones, and
Pat Schofield, and
Julia Allan, and
Ian Ricketts, and
Kenny Morrison, and
Marie Johnston
October 2004,
International journal of nursing practice,
Barbara Farquharson, and
Cheryl Bell, and
Derek Johnston, and
Martyn Jones, and
Pat Schofield, and
Julia Allan, and
Ian Ricketts, and
Kenny Morrison, and
Marie Johnston
July 2000,
Journal of advanced nursing,
Barbara Farquharson, and
Cheryl Bell, and
Derek Johnston, and
Martyn Jones, and
Pat Schofield, and
Julia Allan, and
Ian Ricketts, and
Kenny Morrison, and
Marie Johnston
January 1966,
Padiatrie und Grenzgebiete,
Barbara Farquharson, and
Cheryl Bell, and
Derek Johnston, and
Martyn Jones, and
Pat Schofield, and
Julia Allan, and
Ian Ricketts, and
Kenny Morrison, and
Marie Johnston
May 2023,
Policy, politics & nursing practice,
Barbara Farquharson, and
Cheryl Bell, and
Derek Johnston, and
Martyn Jones, and
Pat Schofield, and
Julia Allan, and
Ian Ricketts, and
Kenny Morrison, and
Marie Johnston
January 2017,
PloS one,
Barbara Farquharson, and
Cheryl Bell, and
Derek Johnston, and
Martyn Jones, and
Pat Schofield, and
Julia Allan, and
Ian Ricketts, and
Kenny Morrison, and
Marie Johnston
April 2019,
Journal of family medicine and primary care,
Barbara Farquharson, and
Cheryl Bell, and
Derek Johnston, and
Martyn Jones, and
Pat Schofield, and
Julia Allan, and
Ian Ricketts, and
Kenny Morrison, and
Marie Johnston
January 1972,
Perspectives in psychiatric care,
Barbara Farquharson, and
Cheryl Bell, and
Derek Johnston, and
Martyn Jones, and
Pat Schofield, and
Julia Allan, and
Ian Ricketts, and
Kenny Morrison, and
Marie Johnston
July 2009,
Psychiatrische Praxis,
Barbara Farquharson, and
Cheryl Bell, and
Derek Johnston, and
Martyn Jones, and
Pat Schofield, and
Julia Allan, and
Ian Ricketts, and
Kenny Morrison, and
Marie Johnston
February 2021,
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing,
