Standard Time and Determination of Number of Pharmaceutical Care Operators for Ambulatory HIV/AIDS Clinic at Warinchumrab Hopsital

Abstract

Background and Objective: Currently, the pandemic of HIV/AIDS has widely spread all over the world.  As a result, the pharmaceutical care for HIV/AIDS patients at HIV/AIDS clinic has to deal with a large number of patients.  Whereas, the man power of health care workers can be really limited.  Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate number of personnel including, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and workers for Ambulatory Care of HIV/AIDS Clinic at Warinchumrab Hopsital, Ubon Ratchathani province.

Methods: It is a cross-sectional, descriptive design using Stopwatch Time Study Technique.  The volunteers included HIV/AIDS patients receiving a patient care at HIV/AIDS Clinic.  All volunteers needed to pass the inclusion criteria either currently receiving ARV medications or receiving placebo for adherence evaluation.  Time study form was implemented to be a measuring tool.  All collecting data was analyzed via descriptive statistics including, frequency, percentage, standard deviation (SD).

Results: The Standard Time for pharmaceutical care activities at HIV/AIDS Clinic, Warinchumrab Hospital including 5 different steps per prescription via stopwatch time study technique can be described as 1) Patient history taking and profile writing 9 minutes, 2) Assessment and solution of drug related problems 7 minutes, 3) Prescription printing 1 minute, 4) Dispensing and checking prescriptions at checker one 6 minutes, 5) re-checking prescriptions and counseling 5 minutes.  The total standard time is equal to 28 minutes.  The man-hour per year was divided into 2 categories including, pharmacist (208 hours), and pharmacy technicians and workers (214 hours).  The total workload per operators is equally to 972 hours.  Regarding the man power of pharmacist, pharmacy technicians and workers working at HIV/AIDS Clinic, Warinchumrab Hospital, the finding indicated the number of pharmacists required should be 0.31 person, and the number of pharmacy technicians and workers required should equally be 0.32 persons.

Conclusion: Overall, the calculations of the number of personnel required for ambulatory care of HIV/AIDS Clinic at Warinchumrab Hospital is currently appropriate.

Keywords Standard Time, Man Power, Workload,Stopwatch Time Study