Day-to-day operations management of hospital units is complex due to several actors, changing situations and various information systems in use. Responsible professionals face challenges to obtain important information for managerial decision-making. The aim of this study was to model important information needed in the day-to-day operations management of hospital units. The study had an observational design. The professionals responsible are here referred to as ‘shift leaders’ and they included nurses and physicians in charge. Data were collected in 2012–2016. 

First, a literature review was done to describe information systems developed for the day-to-day operations management of hospital units. Second, an instrument for exploring information needed in the day-to-day operations management of hospital units was developed and tested. Third, a national survey was done to model important information needed in the day-to-day operations management of hospital units. Thereafter, one information model was clinically tested. 

The findings showed that numerous information systems have been developed for professionals responsible for the day-to-day operations management of hospital units, but these do not adequately support managerial decision-making. The instrument for exploring information needed in the day-to-day operations management of hospital units was valid and reliable, and data collected with it showed that the needs differed between professionals, time of day and types of units. The largest difference was between professionals. Nurses’ important information needs covered patients, personnel and materials, while physicians’ needs focused on patient care. Categories of important information for the model were determined by factor analysis for these different user groups. 

The final model of important information had ten information categories, all of which were needed by different user groups that had a different set of individual items. This model may be used to develop and improve information processing in the day-to-day operations management of hospital units to support the safe, efficient and cost-effective provision of care.