J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 7 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 2 3
more than one service line runs late.
Before we create the monthly schedule, we ask each employee to
mark on the calendar any days that she can't stay late (staff can't
request off late duty every Friday). We dole out late assignments
equally and fairly. A pre-op nurse, for example, can expect to stay late
once a week. Once we assign late days, staff can switch with each
other if the need arises. We pay staff overtime if their late day extends
their time in the facility past 8 hours.
Our pre-op staff typically arrive at 6:15 a.m. and work until 2:45 p.m.
The OR staff arrive at 6:30 a.m. and work until 3 p.m. PACU staff
arrive at 7 a.m. and work until 3:30 p.m. Pre- and post-op "late" nurses
don't come in later than normal because we need all hands on deck
when the first cases are beginning. However, PACU nurses can come
in 30 to 60 minutes later than usual on their "late" days.
Gina Hartman, RN
Rockford (Ill.) Ambulatory Surgery Center
ghartman@rockfordambulatory.com