| dc.description.abstract | Literature indicates that the use of Management Science
techniques in health service management is less frequent than
expected. Yet, health service management is faced with many
challenging problems such as allocating scarce health personnel
efficiently and effectively. Management Science techniques can
plays major role in developing solutions to these problems.
This study presents the results of a shift assignment problem
using one of the Management Science techniques-goal programming- to
assign nurses to shifts in ward 28 of the medicine unit of
Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) . Goal programming application is
suitable for situations where there are multiple objectives or goals
to be achieved which many times are conflicting. Goal programming
output provides a satisficing solution.
In this study, four goals were considered in assigning the
nurses. The goals were prioritized as follows:
1) A nurse can only be on duty on only one shift a day;
2) A required number of nurses should be on duty
per shift each day.
3) A Registered Nurse (RN) should be on duty in shift A (from
7.30a.m. to 4.30p.m.)
4) Individual nurse preferences for a shift assignment should
be considered.
The fourth goal will usually conflict with the hospital
policies and the results indicated that while the other three
goals were fully met, this one was partially met on Mondays,
Saturdays and Sundays. Also, a high percentage of nurses
(approximately 67%) were assigned at least a shift they prefered.
As a result of participating in the scheduling decision and the
assignment being fair, nurses are likely to be more motivated and
therefore provide better patient care. This will benefit both the
hospital and the patient. | en |
