A computerized scheduling system with centralized staffing.

Personnel costs make up approximately 70 percent of the operating expense of a hospital, and nursing service accounts for a large percentage of those personnel costs. It is imperative that nursing personnel be appropriately scheduled so that patient care units are properly staffed while personnel budgets are maintained. This hospital's centralized staffing function, supported by a computerized scheduling system, successfully handles all staffing situations with minimal involvement of professional nurses.