Steigender Einsatz von Leiharbeitnehmenden in der Pflege – Eine empirische Fallstudie zu den Auswirkungen auf die Pflegepersonalausstattung nach Einführung von Pflegepersonaluntergrenzen in einer Universitätsklinik

This study examines the effects of the lower nursing staff limits regulation, which will be legally binding for all German hospitals in 2019, on nursing staffing in university hospitals. The focus is set on the use of temporary workers and the temporary interruption of a binding nursing staffing ratio, caused by the unforeseen occurrence of the Covid-19-pandemic.

A critical review of the literature shows that there is currently no international nursing staff requirement assessment tool that can reliably quantify the actual nursing staff requirement and make a valid statement on the nursing patient outcome, considering the individual patient needs. It is also not to be expected that such an instrument will be available in the near future. The study therefore concentrates on possible solutions as to how hospitals can succeed in maintaining safe patient care despite a nationwide shortage of nursing staff.

The research takes the form of a case study of Europe's largest university hospital, which is located in Germany. The qualitative methodology includes a document analysis of the hospital in question as well as expert interviews with representatives from the sector. In the process of the study it is analysed which action strategies hospitals are already implementing and which they hope for in the future in order to secure nursing staff scheduling in the long term. At the same time, it is examined whether temporary workers are increasingly being employed to compensate vacant nursing positions and to achieve the hospitals' performance targets. In addition, it is investigated how working conditions need to change in order to retain or attract nurses. To round off the holistic approach, the professional-political views of interest groups were included.

In conclusion the study presents possible influences on nursing staffing and shows strategic recommendations for action for research and practice in order to be able to maintain adequate and safe patient care in the future.