Starting a full-scale operation of computerized information system on medical treatment and patient care, it is possible to exchange information anywhere in wards through computer terminals. It is therefore that the location and the number of nursing bases are regarded as with small limitation to distribute near to patients' beds. Personal Nursing Base (PNB) is defined as a nursing base closely located to patients' beds either in the form of fixed setting or on wheels. The paper aims at clarifying the efficiency of PNB concept compared with ordinary nursing bases in terms of shortening walking distances of nursing staff.
The followings are the results of the surveys carried out in four hospital wards;
1) In three wards of the wards surveyed, PNB has been introduced. Moreover, the team nursing has been introduced in all wards, and each team is composed of one leader nurse and some member nurses.
2) Member nurses often taking records and references at PNBs located in ward passages.
3) In patients' rooms, activities of records and references are not frequently happened in the case of wards introducing computerized information system.
4) Member nurses tried to communicate with a team leader or matron.
5) Confirmation and discussion among nursing staff are not carried out by the mobile phones but by direct conversation.
6) Computer simulation shows that one PNB in each working area is effective for shortening the walking distance of nurses while more numbers of PNB have no effect.
