Objective
To analyze the time spent by the health multidisciplinary team assisting patients in home care.
Methods
An exploratory descriptive study that included 214 patients. After defining the main procedures, they were timed by trained observers who collected the data in 2009 and 2010. In total, 245 home visits and 441 procedures were observed.
Results
Among the procedures categorized as direct assistance, the highlight was the time spent by the nursing staff, of 30.2 hours, followed by physiotherapists with 11.9h, dieticians with 9.4h and physicians with 8.9h. Indirect care was represented by the displacement of staff and guidance to the caregiver, family and/or patient, which consumed 65.3 hours and 20.3h, respectively.
Conclusion
The analysis of time spent in home care revealed the complexity of this model of care and the potentiality to subsidize the sizing of staff, as well as the reorganization of the service.
Home care services; Nursing care; Home care; Public health nursing; Health manpower; Personnel downsizing