Running Head: ANALYSIS
1
8-2 Journal: Health Care Staffing Crisis
HRM 630
SNHU
ANALYSIS
2
Through analysis of the “Empty Hallways: The Hidden Shortage of Healthcare
Workers” article, it has been identified that there are several factors giving rise to staffing crisis
in the healthcare setting. However, the two powerful factors that create the staffing crisis are the
increase in the workload of the healthcare professionals and inadequate staffing in the
healthcare setting. Both the factors have been discussed in detail.
Increase in the Workload of the Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals are being called to serve more and more patients. In the survey,
most healthcare professionals reported that the patient load has significantly increased over the
last couple of years (Healthcare, 2002). As a result, healthcare professionals must attend to a
greater number of patients daily. The increase in the ratio of patients to healthcare
professionals’ results in the increase in sickness or acuity of the patients. The average number of
patients in the hospital who are falling sick and require more care has drastically increased than
that in the past. The increase in the workload of the healthcare professionals often affects their
level of productivity and affects the quality of care delivered to the patients.
Inadequate Staffing
Inadequate staffing level is another powerful factor that creates the staffing crisis in the
healthcare setting. The healthcare professional gets the greatest amount of satisfaction by
helping the patients as well as their family members. Their primary goal is to serve the patient
and the family members of the patients. However, the inadequate staffing levels in healthcare
organizations affect the ability of the healthcare workers to provide quality care to the patients.
The services provided by healthcare professionals often get compromised. Due to the shortage
of staffing, healthcare professionals get less time to spend with their patients (Healthcare,
2002).
ANALYSIS
3
Both these factors affect the quality of care delivered to the patients. As a result of
inadequate staffing as well as an increase in the workload of the professionals, the quality of
care suffers. This, in turn, increases the risks for the patients. The care needs of the patients do
not get fulfilled. As healthcare professionals do not have sufficient time to spend with
individual patients, they are unable to understand the exact care needs and pain points of the
patient. It limits the ability of healthcare professionals to effectively diagnose the patients and
identify the exact problem. This will ultimately prevent the patients from getting the right
treatment and availing better health outcomes. It will put the life of the patients at risk and
reduce the chances of faster recovery. The increase in the workload of the healthcare
professionals as well as inadequate staffing can prove to be harmful to both the healthcare
professionals and even the patients. While it affects the productivity and satisfaction level of the
professionals, it has a negative impact on the quality of care that the patients in the hospitals
receive. Therefore, it is important to address both the factors that give rise to the staffing crisis.
One of the best solutions to the problem is improving recruitment as well as retention.
Increasing the compensation packages is one of the ideal solutions to effectively recruit more
healthcare professionals. However, professionals often look for more than just good
compensation and benefits. They must be provided with more flexibility and autonomy. The
healthcare professionals must have certain autonomy to take several decisions relating to the
patients. Providing professionals with opportunities to learn continuously is also an effective
solution. Improving the patient to healthcare professionals is yet another effective way of
resolving the staffing issues and enhancing the quality of care provided to the patients.
References
Healthcare, A. F. T. (2002). Empty Hallways, the Hidden Shortage of Healthcare Workers.
