patient safety & quality
By J . Hudson Garrett Jr ., PhD , MSN , MPH , MBA , FNP-BC , IP-BC , PLNC , CFER , AS-BC , VA-BC , NCEE , MSL-BC , CPPS , CPHQ , NREMT , CADS , FACDONA , FAAPM , FNAP , FSHEA
What is Healthcare ’ s Level of Readiness for the ‘ Next Pandemic ’ of Staffing Shortages ?
Healthcare professionals experiencing significant stress or burnout can reach a point of compassion fatigue , which is defined as a state of exhaustion and dysfunction ( biologically , psychologically , and socially ) because of prolonged exposure to secondary trauma or a single intensive event .”
While healthcare facilities and professionals have endured the multiple impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic , there is another pandemic brewing in our midst that must be immediately addressed : healthcare personnel resilience and staffing . Think back to the first statement that we often hear on any commercial aircraft : In the event of an emergency , first place the oxygen mask on yourself before attempting to help others . This statement resonates directly with ongoing threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic . If healthcare providers are not emotionally , mentally and physically well themselves , then they cannot adequately care for their patients .
The continuing impacts of the pandemic have created the “ next pandemic ” which is an immediately looming healthcare professional staffing crisis . At a time when healthcare demand is high and the need for experienced healthcare personnel is significant .
Chronic stress leads to increases in cortisol , which is recognized as the body ’ s stress hormone . When the body is subject to constant stress , this can negatively impact the human body , particularly the body ’ s immunity . Healthcare professionals experiencing significant stress or burnout can reach a point of compassion fatigue , which is defined as a state of exhaustion and dysfunction ( biologically , psychologically , and socially ) because of prolonged exposure to secondary trauma or a single intensive event . In this case , the prolonged exposure is due to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic . Stress can manifest itself in symptoms such as helplessness , feeling incapable of effecting successful patient outcomes , confusion , isolation , exhaustion , and the feeling of being overwhelmed by work .
Burnout can present quite differently in each individual , but infection prevention leaders and healthcare executives should observe for the following signs which may be quite subtle :
• Physical , emotional , and mental exhaustion caused by long term involvement in emotionally demanding situations
• Role overload – expectations of others exceed one ’ s ability to perform
• Role conflict – forced to make a choice about which demand to satisfy
Burnout , when not recognized or treated , can lead to emotional exhaustion , a feeling of low personal accomplishment , and depersonalization of the patient . Burnout can be resolved with the proper resources and treatment modalities . During the ongoing pandemic , and also after it has subsided , healthcare professionals and especially those directly caring for COVID-19 patients will continue to be at risk for stress and burnout . Healthcare facilities should make available onsite and complimentary stress management services such as Critical Incident Stress Debriefing and also access to professional counseling services as necessary .
Resilient people generally have several key characteristics which include : a strong family connection , a robust social support infrastructure , a fulfilled spiritual life , meaningful personal connections with others , an optimal physical environment such as one ’ s home , and a sense of inner wisdom . Building personnel resiliency is not a one-time , term-limited activity , but rather must remain an ongoing and concerted effort across the entire healthcare system
Healthcare executives and leaders must take immediate action to ensure that frontline healthcare personnel have all necessary tools and resources to properly care for their patients but also take care of themselves . Frontline personnel such as nurses , patient-care technicians , EMS personnel , respiratory therapists , physicians , and other support personnel continue to be directly in the bullseyes of the COVID-19 pandemic and are at most risk for burnout . As such , the time is now to invest in frontline personnel and ensure leadership throughout healthcare is well-prepared to support these ongoing demands for the foreseeable future .
J . Hudson Garrett Jr ., PhD , MSN , MPH , MBA , FNP- BC , IP-BC , PLNC , CFER , AS-BC , VA-BC , NCEE , MSL-BC , CPPS , CPHQ , NREMT , CADS , FACDONA , FAAPM , FNAP , FSHEA , is president and CEO of Community Health Associates , LLC . He also has an appointment as an adjunct assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Louisville School of Medicine . Garrett is a frequent lecturer globally on patient safety , infectious diseases , and medical device reprocessing and safety . He may be reached at : Hudson . garrett @ chaassociates . com
www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com • october 2021
51