Determining the Midwifery Staff in the Maternity Ward of Hospitals Using the Birthrate Plus Model

In addition to reducing the costs in hospitals, manpower planning can ensure the quality of patient care. Therefore, this study, which is part of a comprehensive study, was conducted with the aim of applying the birth rate method to estimate the number of midwives required in the maternity ward.

In this analytical study, 334 patients who referred to the delivery ward of two hospitals affiliated to the Social Security Organization in Khorasan Razavi province were selected by systematic random sampling. Retrospective data were collected from patients  medical records using the Birthrate Plus (BR+) model questionnaire consisting of 34 items related to maternal and neonatal clinical factors based on scores obtained in five groups (score 6 in group one, score 7-9 in group two, score 10-13 in group three, score 14-18 in group four, and score 19 and above in group five). Then, the data were analyzed.

The results showed that the duration of stay in the maternity wards of the province and district hospitals was 12.07±5.18 and 7.17±4.22 hours, respectively (p<0.001). The mean duration of midwife s care in the two hospitals was significantly different (p<0.001). The results indicated more patients with complex conditions in the maternity ward of the province hospital. According to the "BR+" model, about 60% of patients in the province hospital were in groups 4 and 5, while it was 18% in another hospital. The number of midwives required in district and province hospitals was 27 and 72, respectively, based on full-time equivalent (FTE), which was obtained by converting it into an index equivalent to one midwife for 142 and 95 annual deliveries in the mentioned hospitals.

The results of the study showed that the use of the BR+ model, considering the length of stay and the severity of clients symptoms, is a suitable model for determining the midwifery staff in the maternity ward.