SCCM Resource Library-Staff Shortages and Burnout

Pdf Summary

The Spring 2022 issue of "Critical Connections" features discussions on managing healthcare staff shortages and the moral distress experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nancy Blake, Chief Nursing Officer at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, underscored the exhaustion faced by healthcare workers amid surging COVID-19 cases. During a webcast hosted by the Society of Critical Care Medicine, a panel including Blake discussed staffing challenges, largely exacerbated by burnout and increased workloads due to the pandemic.<br /><br />A survey by the American Nurses Foundation indicated that 50% of nurses considered leaving their positions due to mental health and organizational issues, while self-reported burnout surged by 350% between mid-2020 and late 2021. This shortage has been further complicated as healthcare systems tackle delayed procedures and rising patient volumes. Efforts to retain staff and attract them back to work include creating flexible, community-based per diem positions and emphasizing professional growth opportunities.<br /><br />Additionally, the article explores moral distress in healthcare professionals, defined as the psychological distress from being unable to act on what is believed to be right. This was highlighted during a panel discussion on "Managing Moral Distress During a Pandemic," various cases were reviewed to understand the impact of moral distress and identify potential solutions. Moral distress often triggers emotional and psychological distress and can lead to burnout, indicating a pressing need for institutional strategies that promote resilience and support mental health.<br /><br />Efforts like the creation of a nursing staffing think tank by healthcare bodies aim to address these critical issues, fostering a more sustainable and supportive future for healthcare workers. Access to free resources and support lines for mental health is emphasized to help first responders and healthcare workers manage stress and emotional challenges.

Asset Subtitle

Professional Development and Education, Crisis Management, 2022, 0:16:39

Asset Caption

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This article was first published in the Spring 2022 issue of Critical Connections.

Review SCCM webcasts on best practices for managing staff shortages and managing moral distress during a pandemic in this feature. A multiprofessional panel of experts discussed how staffing challenges arise in overwhelmed healthcare systems and how they have managed staff shortages.

Critical Connections, the critical care industry's only magazine, provides information in cutting-edge topics in critical care useful to the entire multiprofessional team.

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Meta Tag

Content Type Article

Knowledge Area Professional Development and Education

Knowledge Area Crisis Management

Knowledge Level Foundational

Knowledge Level Intermediate

Knowledge Level Advanced

Learning Pathway Behavioral Health and Burnout

Membership Level Associate

Membership Level Professional

Membership Level Select

Tag Staffing

Tag Resource Allocation

Year 2022

Keywords

Article

Professional Development and Education

Crisis Management

Associate

Staffing

Resource Allocation

2022

Professional

Select

Foundational

Intermediate

Advanced

Behavioral Health and Burnout

healthcare staff shortages

COVID-19 pandemic

moral distress

Nancy Blake

burnout

American Nurses Foundation

mental health

nursing staffing

resilience strategies

support lines

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