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 a number of 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 in order to serve more and more patients. In
the survey, a majority of healthcare professionals reported that the patient load has
significantly increased over the last couple of years (Healthcare, 2002). As a result,
healthcare professionals have to attend to a greater number of patients on a daily basis. 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 a number of
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
ANALYSIS
4
Healthcare, A. F. T. (2002). Empty Hallways, the Hidden Shortage of Healthcare Workers.
