Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

• Committee Chair Name & Credentials:
  Dr. Patricia Sengstack, DNP, RN-BC
• Committee Member Name & Credentials:
  Brenda Kulhanek, PhD, DNP, RN-BC

DNP Project Abstract

Labor Management Improvement

Purpose
The purpose of this evaluation project was to determine the effectiveness of a previously implemented electronic scheduling system and labor management digital dashboard for the medical-surgical service line at Baptist Medical Center South, in Montgomery, Al.

The aim of the scheduling system was to reduce overall labor expenses, by decreasing incidental worktime expense and FTE leakage using standard automated processes and a digital dashboard. The digital dashboard provides clinical leaders an intuitive presentation of their clinical labor metrics. 

Methods
Pre-implementation data was collected, aggregated, and graphed by month from January 2018 through June 2018. During the time of July 2018 to April 2019, the electronic scheduling system was being built, tested, trained, and implemented. The digital dashboard had two parameters of focus that included incidental work-time and FTE leakage. Access to the dashboard was provided to the clinical leaders, and they were educated on appropriate use and expectations were set that the dashboard should be reviewed daily. Data was collected post implementation from March 2019 through September 2019 to assess for changes. 

Results
Prior to implementing the electronic scheduling system and labor management digital dashboard, incidental worktime for the six-month pre-interventional period for the five units under study, totaled $76,997 and reduced to $33,680 during the post intervention phase. FTE leakage expenses totaled $28,140 during the pre-intervention phase and reduced to $22,566 in the post intervention phase.

Implications for Practice
Healthcare leaders continue to be challenged to manage their organizations expenses due to the rising costs of labor. Executing labor management strategies including the use of electronic scheduling systems and digital metric dashboards, along with training and education can assist in reducing the costs associated with labor waste in the workforce.