South African nurse managers' perceptions regarding cost containment in public hospitals.

The perceptions of nurse managers regarding cost containment issues in selected public hospitals in the Port Elizabeth metropole of the Eastern Cape were investigated. Results indicated that nurse managers required better preparation for their cost control responsibilities. Although the majority of the nurse managers realised that staffing issues affected cost containment efforts, they were reportedly unable to prevent nurses from leaving their points of duty without due authorisation, curb the rate of absenteeism or reduce the number of resignations. Nurse managers suggested that cost containment efforts would benefit from effective security checks to curb losses of stock and equipment, including wheel-chairs, and that more public telephones should be installed in hospitals. Rationalisation of staff and specialised services among the four major hospitals could further enhance cost containment efforts.