Time And Motion Study of Hospital Floor Clerks to Optimize Workflow at AUBMC

Abstract

Effective staffing is essential for the smooth functioning of hospital units and the delivery of high-quality patient care. Hospital clerks play an important role in daily unit operations by handling communication, coordination, and administrative responsibilities, yet their workload is not well studied. This project aimed to examine how hospital clerks at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) spend their work time using a time-motion study. A descriptive observational approach was used to observe clerks working across different inpatient units and shifts. Their activities were recorded and grouped according to task type and time spent. The findings showed that clerks spent most of their time on supplies and inventory management, communication and coordination, and laboratory-related tasks. Workload varied depending on unit type, patient volume, and shift timing. Overall, the results demonstrate the important role hospital clerks play in supporting unit workflow and provide useful evidence to help guide staffing decisions and resource allocation at AUBMC.