IMPACT OF MEDICAL LICENCES FOR THREE DAYS OR LESS IN NURSE SERVICES FROM TWO PRIVATE HEALTH CENTERS

Abstract

The financial and health care impact, and labour costs produced by personnel being on sick leave in hospitals, lead nurses who work in the "Hospital Clínico de la Universidad Cató1ica" and "hospital Mutual de Seguridad de la Cámara Chilena de la Construcción" to carry out an absenteeism study on absences up to three days, perceived as the ones which have the biggest impact on medical service management and care quality. A descriptive and retrospective study was made on staff working in the two hospitals formerly mentioned, between January 1 and December 31, 1999. The purpose was to outline the importance of the problem in order to find answers which help to decrease absences and contribute to the knowledge and understanding on this issue. Outcomes demonstrated that the short term labour absentee rate is higher than international standard and represents a significant loss of resources in health care services. An increase in labour absentee rates is observed during autumn and winter seasons, due to respiratory disease. The lowest rate in nursing staff —which is concordant with the literature— if compared with absenteeism in lower ranked personnel, who are overwhelmed by routine tasks and lack of autonomy.