HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08291989 - 2.3 A-r a. 3
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Mark Finucane, Health Services Director
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DATE*. August 24, 1989 ,x /
SUBJECT: Health Services Department Expenditure and Staffing Modifications
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Accept report regarding expenditure modification plan and authorize the addition of
positions for Merrithew Memorial Hospital .
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Expenditures will be offset by reductions in Nursing Registry cost, overtime, and
temporaries.
BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION
Utilization of Merrithew Memorial Hospital and its associated clinics has continued
at a historic high level . The Health Services Department's initial response to the
increase in services was to use contract personnel (Nursing Registry) , overtime, and
temporary staffing. The increased utilization, however, shows no sign of abating.
It is quite costly to use Nursing Registry at the level required for our patient
census; the cost of a Registry nurse is 1.5 times that of an equivalent County
employee. In addition, continuity of care suffers when contract personnel are used.
The recommended action of adding staff would have a minimal impact on the RN/LVN ratio
in the Department. Staffing is currently 59% RN and 41% LVN; the additional positions
would result in a 60/40 ratio. This ratio is well below that found in other area
hospitals.
Nursing personnel are currently responsible for distribution of 105 trays per meal .
This detracts from time available for direct patient care and is an inappropriate use
of these personnel . By adding the requested Institutional Services Workers, an
equivalent number of Nursing FTE's would be freed up to concentrate on patient care
activities.
Finally, Nursing personnel and Clinical Laboratory Technicians are now drawing blood
from patients, a task which can be performed by the lower-level classification of
Laboratory Technician. The rationale for adding Institutional Services Workers applies
here as well . In addition, Clinical Laboratory Technicians will have more time to
concentrate on functions requiring .licensure, resulting in a reduction in overtime.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY.ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE S
ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS (ABSENT � o ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT' ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. .
AUG 2
CC: 9 1989 ATTESTED _ __________
Health Services Department PHIL BATCHELOR. CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
County Administrator SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
BY V DEPUTY
M382/7-83