Time allocated on different tasks among nurses in Bangladesh: An observational time–motion study

Abstract

It is important to identify the time allocated by nurses for different tasks to improve the quality of nursing care and patient outcome. Hence, this time–motion study aimed to determine the time spent on specific activities and the factors contributing to the time allocated by nurses at public and private hospitals in Bangladesh. The data was collected from March to May 2021, and the nursing activities of 52 nurses at surgical wards were identified by observing them through day shifts (8:00am – 2:00pm) on weekdays. The proportions of time in 10 categories were calculated, and relationships of nurses' characteristics were examined. Nurses commonly spent their time on direct care (17.0%), followed by medication administration (15.3%), indirect care (14.2%), personal activities (12.3%), and documentation (11.1%). There was no significant relationship between the duration of providing direct and indirect care and medication administration as well as the characteristics of nurses (such as age, sex, and duration of working experience, educational background, and patient-to-nurse ratio). However, public and private hospitals significantly differed in terms of the proportion of time spent by nurses on documentation, administrative tasks, in-transit work, supervision/education, and social activities. Compared with some studies conducted in 2007, the time allocated on direct care has increased particularly in public hospitals; however, nurses also spend significant time on personal and social activities. There is a need to assess the time spent on nursing tasks and to facilitate a closer supervision to achieve efficient time management.