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<article xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="1.0" article-type="nursing" lang="en">
<front>
<journal-meta>
<journal-id journal-id-type="publisher">JOHS</journal-id>
<journal-id journal-id-type="nlm-ta">Journ of Health Scien</journal-id>
<journal-title-group>
<journal-title>Journal of HealthCare Sciences</journal-title>
<abbrev-journal-title abbrev-type="pubmed">Journ of Health Scien</abbrev-journal-title>
</journal-title-group>
<issn pub-type="ppub">2231-2196</issn>
<issn pub-type="opub">0975-5241</issn>
<publisher>
<publisher-name>Radiance Research Academy</publisher-name>
</publisher>
</journal-meta>
<article-meta>
<article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">465</article-id>
<article-id pub-id-type="doi">http://dx.doi.org/10.52533/JOHS.2025.51205</article-id>
<article-id pub-id-type="doi-url"/>
<article-categories>
<subj-group subj-group-type="heading">
<subject>Nursing</subject>
</subj-group>
</article-categories>
<title-group>
<article-title>Establishing Patient Care Technician Services to the Delivery of Safe, Patient and Family Focused Quality Care
</article-title>
</title-group>
<contrib-group>
<contrib contrib-type="author">
<name>
<surname>Uys</surname>
<given-names>Cathariena Magrietha</given-names>
</name>
</contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author">
<name>
<surname>Attar</surname>
<given-names>Zalikha</given-names>
</name>
</contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author">
<name>
<surname>Nazlawy</surname>
<given-names>Ragdah Fouad</given-names>
</name>
</contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author">
<name>
<surname>Tunusi</surname>
<given-names>Amani Bakr</given-names>
</name>
</contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author">
<name>
<surname>Bakalka</surname>
<given-names>Rawan Tarik</given-names>
</name>
</contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author">
<name>
<surname>Jaha</surname>
<given-names>Sammah</given-names>
</name>
</contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author">
<name>
<surname>Bolante</surname>
<given-names>Erwin Garcia</given-names>
</name>
</contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author">
<name>
<surname>Cruz</surname>
<given-names>Abegail Corteza dela</given-names>
</name>
</contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author">
<name>
<surname>Alviola</surname>
<given-names>Agnies</given-names>
</name>
</contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author">
<name>
<surname>Alyasi</surname>
<given-names>Majed Mohammed</given-names>
</name>
</contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author">
<name>
<surname>Alghamdi</surname>
<given-names>Essam Ali</given-names>
</name>
</contrib>
</contrib-group>
<pub-date pub-type="ppub">
<day>8</day>
<month>12</month>
<year>2025</year>
</pub-date>
<volume>5</volume>
<issue>12</issue>
<fpage>737</fpage>
<lpage>752</lpage>
<permissions>
<copyright-statement>This article is copyright of Popeye Publishing, 2009</copyright-statement>
<copyright-year>2009</copyright-year>
<license license-type="open-access" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">
<license-p>This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) Licence. You may share and adapt the material, but must give appropriate credit to the source, provide a link to the licence, and indicate if changes were made.</license-p>
</license>
</permissions>
<abstract>
<p>Background: Worldwide, healthcare systems are facing substantial deficits in the nursing profession, driven by increasing patient demands, an aging workforce, and higher turnover rates. Saudi Arabia is affected by this dilemma, as recent reports indicate a continuous disparity between the supply of registered nurses (RNs) and the increasing demand for healthcare services, especially in acute care environments. This shortage has contributed to increased workloads, staff burnout, and potential risks to patient safety and care quality.
Local problem: The implementation of new staffing approaches is essential due to the nationwide shortage of RNs. The introduction of the Patient Care Technician (PCT) recruitment initiative at King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital in November 2022 has had a positive impact on the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care that prioritizes patient and family safety.
Methods: This quality improvement project was guided by the IHI model for enhancement. We obtained data regarding registered nurse overtime, turnover, and satisfaction from hospital databases and surveys. We employed descriptive analysis to examine the results and utilized charts to illustrate trends and effects.
Interventions: A needs analysis was conducted to identify departments with the greatest needs; subsequently, new PCT positions were established, accompanied by the development and implementation of an orientation program. Performance evaluations were utilized to evaluate PCT readiness following the probationary period.
Results: By July 2024, 93 PCTs (77 females and 16 males) had been integrated into inpatient, outpatient, and emergency departments, representing 7.5% of the total staff. The integration led to a 9.5% reduction in overtime hours for RNs, significantly exceeding the 5% target. This reduction translated into projected annual savings of approximately 1.5 million Saudi Riyals in overtime costs alongside enhancements in staff satisfaction and a decrease in turnover rates over time.
Conclusion: PCTs assist RNs by performing fundamental nursing tasks, enhancing patient outcomes, increasing job satisfaction among RNs, and reducing turnover and overtime rates through effective teamwork.
</p>
</abstract>
<kwd-group>
<kwd>Patient care assistant</kwd>
<kwd> patient care technician</kwd>
<kwd> Saudi Commission for Health Specialty requirements</kwd>
<kwd> nursing resource availability</kwd>
</kwd-group>
</article-meta>
</front>
</article>