How do endoscopy units figure their full-time employees?

Q: I am interested in knowing how endoscopy units figure their FTEs (full-time employees). Is there a national benchmark or calculation that other endoscopy areas use to budget their FTEs? Our unit's setting is in a hospital. We perform approximately 350 GI and bronchoscopy procedures a month on inpatients and outpatients. I have 11.5 FTEs (which includes me): two endoscopy techs, one secretary, 7.5 RNs and one manager. We are open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

A: Many formulas exist for computing staffing levels. Federal, state, local and accreditation staffing have established certain requirements and recommendations regarding the calculation of full-time employees. Professional organizations such as SGNA (http://www.sgna.org) and AORN (http://www.aorn.org) have established staffing guidelines related to administering, monitoring and/or recovering patients that have received moderate sedation.

Additionally, the Gastrointestinal Clinics of North America published a formula for calculating ASC staff in April 2002. It states that any formula requires individualization for acuity and other patient population characteristics.

Benchmarks are of key importance. They can offer your facility great opportunities to identify problems and improve operational efficiencies. For example, the 2007 Quarter 1 GI-specific benchmarking data from Olympus* demonstrated that the total operating expense per case averaged $290. And the total staff cost per case averaged $153. 

* EndoSite Consulting Services from Olympus is a comprehensive collection of professional services provided by EndoSite advisors with extensive hands-on experience in the industry. Tapping into Olympus’ global expertise in GI medical products and services, EndoSite advisors provide financial and operational consulting services to hospital GI labs, endoscopic ambulatory surgery centers (EASCs) and office endoscopy practices. See www.olympusamerica.com/endosite .

--Bradley Catalone

Notice to Readers:  Olympus America Inc. welcomes the opportunity to provide this information for your background and knowledge. The answers to questions posed in this column are general in nature.  Please remember that every institution must consider its own particular circumstances and adapt its policies, procedures and protocols to meet applicable local, state and federal regulatory and licensing requirements, certification criteria and accreditation standards. The information provided has been compiled from sources considered to be dependable. However, Olympus makes no representations, warranties or other expressed or implied warranties or guarantees regarding the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information. This information does not constitute legal advice and is not a substitute for legal advice. You must consult with competent legal counsel for legal matters. This information does not constitute other professional advice such as architectural, financial or other specialty services. You must consult with such qualified professionals where appropriate.

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