Identify direct and indirect nursing care time in a medical and surgical ward

Abstract Introduction: Classifying the average nursing care time is an independent measure for regulate the quantity and quality of the nursing staff in hospitals because, it allows hospitals to evaluate the condition of the existing human resources. This study aimed to identify direct and indirect nursing care time in a medical and surgical ward. Methods: In this cross - sectional study 44 medical and surgical nurses from East Guilan Hospitals were reviewed. Data gathering instrument was made of three parts: demographic data, time ranging, nursing and non-nursing care. Each nurse was evaluated within 5 alternative shifts. Data analysed using statistical methods in the form of descriptive statistics (frequency tables, mean, standard deviation) ANOVA. Results: The average time spent on direct nursing care 21/5±11/1 and on indirect nursing care 22/1±10 minutes per patient. The origin time in direct and indirect nursing care was different between the wards, hospital, work experience and marriage status. Conclusion: The spending time on direct nursing care for each patient was less than standard. The time spent on direct and indirect nursing care was variable in different wards, depends on organization of the hospital. Although, through changes between human organization and how to use support workers could increase direct nursing care time.