The Pros And Cons Of Adequate Staffing

In the United States of America, we are very fortunate to have access to quality medical facilities. Employees in the medical profession have chosen to dedicate their lives to help support and maintain the lives of others. In order to achieve these goals to the fullest, patients in the hospital should be provided with the best possible care. Unfortunately, despite their dedication and efforts to provide good medical care, there are several patients that contract infections from the hospital. Many of these infections could possibly be linked to the understaffing of nurses and caregivers. I believe that this relationship is a true health risk and medical controversy. Adequate staffing is mandatory in maintaining the health of patients and
These poor ratios contribute to burnout and sleep deprivation. Statistics show that five out of every ten physicians affected by burnout are unable to optimally care for their patients and are only able to perform suboptimally (Swensen). Sometimes, patients receive misdiagnoses from doctors who are suffering from burnout. Misdiagnoses can result in a variety of consequences for patients including being discharged too early, developing infections, or even, death. Not only do the patients suffer, but nurses suffer health risks as well. Research indicates that inadequate staffing and long hours affects nurses’ health by increasing their risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and depression. In 2012, registered nurses had 11,610 incidents of MSDs resulting in a median rate of eight days away from work. Among healthcare practitioners and technical occupations, 65,050 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses occurred that required a median of seven days away from work (). These injuries and illnesses directly contribute to understaffing because without nurses and caregivers, who cares for the