In Reply to: “Practical Application of Pediatric Hospital Medicine Workforce Data: In Reference to ‘Pediatric Hospitalist Workload and Sustainability in University-Based Programs: Results from a National Interview-Based Survey’”

Article Type
Changed
Sat, 05/18/2019 - 09:39

We appreciate the query by Drs. Douglas and Wilson. We hereby supply additional information that is critical for creating and administering sustainable staffing models.

For programs with a census cap, the majority cited 16 or fewer patients as the trigger for that cap. Nearly all programs with back-up used a census of 16 or fewer. Over 80% of programs cited a “safe 7 am census” as 16 or fewer. These data suggest that a census over 16 is appropriate to trigger additional clinical support.

Regarding clinical weighting of nights, nighttime shifts were often more heavily weighted than day shifts, but approaches to weighting varied and have not been validated. Alternate staffing models for overnight pager calls varied greatly by individual program.

This is a time of significant growth for pediatric hospital medicine, and national workforce data are essential to hospitalists, administrators, and most importantly, patients. Our study1 provides pediatric hospital medicine leaders with data for discussions regarding appropriate FTE and staffing model considerations. The insights generated by our study are particularly relevant in expanding programs and solving problems related to recruitment and retention.

Disclosures

The authors have nothing to disclose.

References

1. Fromme HB, Chen C, Fine B, Gosdin C, Shaughnessy E. Pediatric hospitalist workload and sustainability in university-based programs: Results from a national interview-based survey. J Hosp Med. 2018;13(10):702-705. PubMed

Article PDF
Issue
Journal of Hospital Medicine 14(4)
Publications
Topics
Page Number
260
Sections
Article PDF
Article PDF
Related Articles

We appreciate the query by Drs. Douglas and Wilson. We hereby supply additional information that is critical for creating and administering sustainable staffing models.

For programs with a census cap, the majority cited 16 or fewer patients as the trigger for that cap. Nearly all programs with back-up used a census of 16 or fewer. Over 80% of programs cited a “safe 7 am census” as 16 or fewer. These data suggest that a census over 16 is appropriate to trigger additional clinical support.

Regarding clinical weighting of nights, nighttime shifts were often more heavily weighted than day shifts, but approaches to weighting varied and have not been validated. Alternate staffing models for overnight pager calls varied greatly by individual program.

This is a time of significant growth for pediatric hospital medicine, and national workforce data are essential to hospitalists, administrators, and most importantly, patients. Our study1 provides pediatric hospital medicine leaders with data for discussions regarding appropriate FTE and staffing model considerations. The insights generated by our study are particularly relevant in expanding programs and solving problems related to recruitment and retention.

Disclosures

The authors have nothing to disclose.

We appreciate the query by Drs. Douglas and Wilson. We hereby supply additional information that is critical for creating and administering sustainable staffing models.

For programs with a census cap, the majority cited 16 or fewer patients as the trigger for that cap. Nearly all programs with back-up used a census of 16 or fewer. Over 80% of programs cited a “safe 7 am census” as 16 or fewer. These data suggest that a census over 16 is appropriate to trigger additional clinical support.

Regarding clinical weighting of nights, nighttime shifts were often more heavily weighted than day shifts, but approaches to weighting varied and have not been validated. Alternate staffing models for overnight pager calls varied greatly by individual program.

This is a time of significant growth for pediatric hospital medicine, and national workforce data are essential to hospitalists, administrators, and most importantly, patients. Our study1 provides pediatric hospital medicine leaders with data for discussions regarding appropriate FTE and staffing model considerations. The insights generated by our study are particularly relevant in expanding programs and solving problems related to recruitment and retention.

Disclosures

The authors have nothing to disclose.

References

1. Fromme HB, Chen C, Fine B, Gosdin C, Shaughnessy E. Pediatric hospitalist workload and sustainability in university-based programs: Results from a national interview-based survey. J Hosp Med. 2018;13(10):702-705. PubMed

References

1. Fromme HB, Chen C, Fine B, Gosdin C, Shaughnessy E. Pediatric hospitalist workload and sustainability in university-based programs: Results from a national interview-based survey. J Hosp Med. 2018;13(10):702-705. PubMed

Issue
Journal of Hospital Medicine 14(4)
Issue
Journal of Hospital Medicine 14(4)
Page Number
260
Page Number
260
Publications
Publications
Topics
Article Type
Sections
Article Source

© 2019 Society of Hospital Medicine

Disallow All Ads
Correspondence Location
H. Barrett Fromme, MD, MHPE; E-mail: [email protected]; Telephone: 773-834-9043.
Content Gating
Open Access (article Unlocked/Open Access)
Alternative CME
Disqus Comments
Default
Use ProPublica
Hide sidebar & use full width
render the right sidebar.
Article PDF Media