Table 1 Task and information tool definitions
Work Task | Definition |
|---|---|
Direct Care | Tasks directly involved with patient care, eg direct communication with patient &/or family, bathing, applying dressings, nursing procedures etc. |
Indirect Care | All tasks indirectly related to patient care, eg reviewing results, planning care, washing hands, reviewing documentation, returning equipment |
Medication Tasks | All tasks associated with medication, includes preparation, administration, documentation, discussion & clarification |
Documentation | Documentation (paper and electronic), excludes medication documentation |
Professional Communication | All non-medication related communication with another health professional includes ward & patient handover. Excludes medication related discussion communication |
Ward Related Activities | Ward activities, includes coordinating beds & staffing |
In Transit | Time between tasks and between patients. Excludes movement between patients in a shared room and movement within a single room |
Supervision | Supervising others, including students |
Social | All non work communication, eg meal/tea breaks, personal calls |
Other | Any other task not included above |
Information Tools Used | Â |
Permanent Record | Tasks involving the writing/reading of information in a patient's permanent paper medical record, including: progress notes, request forms, medication chart, observation chart, nursing care plans |
Paper | Tasks involving writing on temporary paper notes, eg bedlist, handover sheet, little notebook |
Desktop Personal Computer (PC) | Tasks involving the use of a computer for information searching, retrieval and documentation |
Phone | Tasks involving using the telephone |