Nurses get pedometers to check efficiency of wards

Published on Sunday 26 July 2009 22:15

NURSES have been issued with devices measuring the distances they walk on Scottish wards as part of a pilot scheme to crack down on hospital inefficiency, it was announced today.

The initiative, at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, aims to scrutinise the way wards are organised and free up more time for staff to care for patients.

Nurses across 23 wards in the health board have already been issued with pedometers.

Rory Farrelly, the board's acute director of nursing, said:

"By looking at our ward environment and how it affects the way we work, we will be able to identify simple and effective ways of reducing wasted time.

"A simple example is the location of the linen cupboard. Staff will look at the amount of time they spend walking to and from that cupboard to change patients' bedding."

Other areas included in the review, which has already been rolled out in England, will include how staff carry out ward rounds, prepare and serve meals and arrange patient admission and discharge.

Mr Farrelly said: "We know this works because of experiences in England. The key to its success is every member of the ward team … is involved.

"Patients can also get involved and let us know if there are inefficiencies from their point of view. I believe the scheme will help identify some great ideas to improve our wards."