Approaches to changing the use of time in a public hospital

Abstract

This article describes a qualitative study that used documentary sources and interviews witha cross-section of clinical managers and staff to identify the ways in which use of time changedin two clinical units following the introduction of casemix-based funding in Victoria.For staff at all levels within the hospital system, changes in the use of time were experiencedthat affected both the organisation of work and the care provided. The two units approachedthe management of time in different ways. From the introduction of casemix-based fundingto the conclusion of this study there were improvements in efficiency in both clinical units.The case studies are compared and the consequences of different approaches to managing timein clinical units are described.