Automated nursing documentation system provides a favorable return on investment.

Severe competition for the limited investment capital available and the high acquisition cost of bedside terminal systems require that the full benefit potential they offer be identified and realized. The authors discuss a multiple-phase study process used to: 1) identify the savings potential offered (to cost-justify its acquisition); and 2) assure the savings potential offered was realized.

Characterization of the C5a receptor on guinea pig platelets.

Guinea pig (gp) platelets react to nanomolar doses of the complement-derived anaphylatoxin C5a with a shape change, aggregation and release of biogenic amines and nucleotides from their granules. We have investigated the specific receptor for C5a on gp platelets which mediates these biological effects. Competitive binding studies with 125I-labeled guinea pig C5a (125I-gpC5a) revealed approx.

Use of care levels in the postanesthesia care setting.

Most hospitals no longer charge a flat postanesthesia care rate, although many have only one charge code based on unit of time to cover all patients regardless of the level or intensity of their care. The author reports a mechanism developed to charge patients for PACU care based on both length of time and level or intensity of care required. Objectives of the project included a more accurate determination of cost of care provided to each patient, and provision of accurate data for productivity measurement and reporting on an ongoing basis.

Departmental productivity measurement/reporting in the medical record setting.

True productivity management requires constant monitoring and adjusting of staff schedules so that established productivity goals/targets are consistently met or exceeded.

Attributes of healthcare productivity standards.

While not an exact science, the development, installation and use of reasonable standards can be developed from an historical perspective on the quantity and quality of work produced, to allow the manager to measure the effects of changes on departmental productivity. Those seeking to develop and install standards in the interest of managing productivity improvement will find helpful hints in this article about the attributes of "good" standards.