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Staff Mix And Patient Outcome In State And Federal Teaching Hospitals
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Bolton (2001) and Needleman (2005) also observed that there is a
significant relationship between staff ratio and outcome of care. They
stressed that assigning appropriate number of staff to patients result
in reduced incidence of adverse events like the development of
pneumonia, pressure ulcer, failure to rescue, deep venous thrombosis,
mortality, urinary tract infection and shock. Others include reduced
hospital stay, medical errors, hospital cost and surgical wound
breakdown/infection. Suzanne and Smeltzer [2010] further reported that
outcome of care could be attributed to other factors such as risks
inherent with specific surgery overall health status of the patient,
concomitant conditions like diabetes mellitus which could affect wound
healing, chronic smoking, unnecessary invasive procedure, post operative
pain management, nutritional status, immune status of patient etc.
Most of these studies were conducted in developed countries. There is
paucity of data on staff mix and patient outcome in Nigeria in
particular and Africa in general. This study examined the staff mix and
patient outcome in state and federal teaching hospitals in Enugu State.
Statement of the problem
Enugu State has two teaching hospitals, Enugu State University Teaching
Hospital, Parklane Enugu (ESUTH) and University of Nigeria teaching
hospital Ituku/ Ozalla (UNTH). They provide training, research and
health services. Patients/clients within and outside the State
patronizes these health facilities.
Since the relocation
of UNTH in 2007 to its permanent site, which is about 21kilometers from
Enugu urban, there have been increased number patients attending the
hospitals for special and general care as shown in the 2008 medical
records report. Before 2007, annual patient coverage in UNTH was 90,000.
Subsequent years after the relocation to Ituku/Ozalla from 2008-2010,
showed total increase of 200,000 cases in the health facility. The
increase in patient patronage over the years invariably increased the
overall workload in the hospital.
In ESUT, the gradual
upgrading of Park-lane general hospital Enugu to specialist hospital in
2006 and subsequently to teaching hospital has also resulted in influx
of patients. Before 2006, ESUT medical record showed that the patient
number patronizing the health facility annually was 50,000. In 2009, the
medical record report showed an annual average of 75,000 patients in
special clinics and units.
Administrative personnel record [2011]
report reflects employment of 200 nurses and 150 doctors in UNTH from
2007 to 2009. ESUTH administrative personnel record [2011] report shows
employment of 104 nurses and 109 doctors from 2007 to 2010. However,
these numbers of personnel are inadequate to meet.
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