Which type of measure is used to gauge total ED staffing costs and staff satisfaction?

The measure that is used to gauge total emergency department (ED) staffing costs and staff satisfaction can be best categorized as a balancing measure. Balancing measures are employed to ensure that improvements in one area do not lead to detrimental impacts in another. In the context of quality improvement, it's important to assess the overall impact of changes not just on clinical outcomes but also on staff morale and resource utilization.

Tracking staffing costs relates to the efficiency and sustainability of ED operations, while staff satisfaction is crucial for workforce retention and overall system performance. By monitoring these factors alongside primary quality outcomes, organizations can identify unintended consequences of changes made to improve certain processes, creating a holistic view of performance.

Balancing measures provide a critical lens to evaluate the effects of interventions, making them essential for comprehensive quality improvement initiatives. This approach facilitates adjustments that maintain a balance across competing needs, such as cost control and employee wellbeing.