Effects of A Job Enrichment And Unit Management Program On Staff Attitudes And Performance In A Respiratory Therapy Service

When respiratory therapy staff members in a hospital service were noted to be dissatisfied and ineffective, unit management principles and job enrichment were introduced to try to cut employee turnover, absenteeism, and undesirable overtime hours. Staff were assigned to and made responsible for definite sections of the hospital; decentralized supply depots were established for the various units; unofficial "supervisors by seniority" were replaced by official shift supervisors; team leaders helped staff members with problems and heavy workloads; lines of communication were opened between staff, team leaders, and supervisors; all members of the department were educated to broaden their skills; and cleaning of equipment was reassigned to central sterile supply. As a result of these changes, communication, morale, and efficiency improved. More and better patient care has been given, and rates of turnover, absenteeism, and overtime work have been drastically cut.