Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

Using telephone logs instead of databases to accurately estimate neurosurgical on-call workload

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Francesco Vergani, Stephen Metcalfe, Christopher CowieORCiD, Patrick Mitchell

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.


Abstract

Background. Maintenance of on-call referrals databases is on the rise in neurosurgical units across the UK and helps provide data to estimate workload. We hypothesize that these databases underestimate the workload and propose the use of the number of telephone calls to the on-call registrar as an easily obtainable and valid measure of workload. Methods. Data were obtained from a referrals database maintained and completed by the neurosurgical registrars and the hospital switchboard telephone logs. Data were analysed using JMP 8.0.2 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Results. We found a large degree of disparity between the number of phone calls and the number of recorded referrals. The median number of phone calls to the on-call registrar per day was 78 (Interquartile range 59–106); but the median number of recorded referrals was 12 (Interquartile range 8–16). 49.8% of the calls were received out-of-hours (1700–0800 and weekends) and the maximum number of calls was received on a Friday. Data derived from both sources (database and switchboard logs) showed a close visual correlation. Conclusion. We argue that on-call logs are an easily obtainable, reliable and internally validated measure of activity. We recommend the use of such data in other centers to establish the nature of on-call activity and tailoring of the rotas to comply with current guidance to provide a mix of service and training.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Mukerji N, Vergani F, Hassan F, Dubois J, Metcalfe S, Cowie C, Mitchell P

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: British Journal of Neurosurgery

Year: 2013

Volume: 27

Issue: 3

Pages: 344-347

Print publication date: 01/06/2013

ISSN (print): 0268-8697

ISSN (electronic): 1360-046X

Publisher: Informa Healthcare

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/02688697.2012.743966

DOI: 10.3109/02688697.2012.743966


Altmetrics

Altmetrics provided by Altmetric


Share