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Showing results for tags 'Fatigue / exhaustion'.
Found 340 results
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Content ArticleThis interview is part of the hub's 'Frontline insights during the pandemic' series where Martin Hogan interviews healthcare professionals from various specialties to capture their experience and insight during the coronavirus pandemic. Here Martin interviews a chief nurse of clinical productivity leading dynamic change within culture and governance. 15 years in the post, the chief nurse is responsible for leading improvement in standards of nursing and service.
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Content ArticleThis article, published by The Conversation, highlights the mounting evidence that some people who have had COVID-19 but were not hospitalised, are experiencing prolonged illness. Reported after-effects of the virus include; overwhelming fatigue, palpitations, muscle aches and pins and needles. The author of this article looks at the research to date and talks about using twin studies to gain further insight into 'post-COVID syndrome'.
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Content ArticleThe BMA sent out its first survey at the beginning of April. The most recent survey closed on 13 August and nearly 4,000 doctors took part. The 13 August 2020 results found: 60% of doctors said they were not very, or not at all, confident in their local health economy managing demand as normal NHS services resume. Half of doctors said they were not very, or not at all, confident in being able to manage a second wave of COVID-19. 26% of doctors said that in the last two weeks non-Covid demand had increased to pre-pandemic levels, with 17% saying that demand is now even higher than it was before.
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Content ArticleThe Human Connection is a comprehensive set of clear and resonant stories that illustrate the impact of ergonomics and human factors, produced by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF). The 60-page document is intended to be of value to a wide range of audiences, including government, policy makers, industry, third sector groups, educators, research funders, regulatory bodies and collaborators. The case studies, available here as the complete set or individually, have been written to increase understanding of the complexity, range and value of the discipline of ergonomics and human factors.
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Content ArticleThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an overall surge in new cases of depression and anxiety and an exacerbation of existing mental health issues, with a particular emotional and physical toll on health care workers. Limited resources, longer shifts, disruptions to sleep and to work-life balance and occupational hazards associated with exposure to COVID-19 have contributed to physical and mental fatigue, stress and anxiety and burnout. In this article, published by Wolters Kluwer, the Houston Methodist Hospital share the lessons learned collectively by an interdisciplinary team of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) leadership and collaborating scientists about the experience of occupational fatigue and burnout of intensive care personnel as a result of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. They propose specific policy recommendations and guidelines for organisational readiness, resilience and disaster mitigation.
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Content Article
"I know this is burnout. I didn’t want it to be. But it is."
Claire Cox posted an article in Blogs
I have been honest in my blogs during the pandemic. I have been apprehensive, scared and, at times, excited to work in the pandemic. So why do I feel so low at this moment? I am experiencing feelings that I have not had before. I have thoughts of leaving nursing. Surely, I can’t be the only one? Why now? Why am I feeling like this? This blog is to explore why this might be.- Posted
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Content ArticleThe Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF) presents advice from the experts. Consultant Anaesthetist Michael Moneypenny discusses how Human Factors experts can help NHS staff cope with fatigue, while Professor Kristy Sanderson discusses the risks and tactics. Both the President and the Chief Executive of the CIEHF offer their expert opinion in this short podcast aimed at frontline workers.
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Content ArticleSeveral factors can compromise patient safety, such as ineffective teamwork, failed organisational processes and the physical and psychological overload of health professionals. Studies about associations between burnout and patient safety have shown different outcomes. In this paper, published by Medicina (Kaunas), a team in Brazil analysed twenty-one studies, most of them demonstrating an association between the existence of burnout and the worsening of patient safety. High levels of burnout is more common among physicians and nurses and it is associated with external factors such as: high workload, long journeys and ineffective interpersonal relationships.
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Content ArticleThe rapid transmission of COVID-19 has resulted in an international pandemic with the cumulative death rate expected to further escalate in the months to come. The majority of deaths to date (May 2020) have been highly concentrated in certain geographic areas, placing tremendous stress on local healthcare systems and associated workforces. Healthcare is a fundamentally human endeavor; its reliability and the capacity to provide it are tested under stressful conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic is proving to be an especially difficult test for healthcare systems. Consideration of the humanness of care in the broader context of patient safety can raise awareness of how human weaknesses impact individual clinicians and care teams in ways that could degrade patient safety and quality of care and increase risk for both patients with COVID-19 and the staffs that care for them. These weaknesses are exacerbated by fatigue and burnout, absence of team trust, lack of time, medical illness, and poor psychological safety, each of which can result in reduced performance and contribute to failures such as misdiagnoses and adverse events. This article published on AHRQ's PSNet explores these weaknesses.
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Content ArticleClinician well-being is known to play a role in error prevention. This perspective from Dzau et al., published in the New England Journal of Medicine, presents a five-part strategy comprised of organisational and national elements to ensure clinicians are situated to provide safe high-quality care during crisis, such as the coronavirus pandemic, and throughout the course of their careers.
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Content ArticlePresenteeism is linked to negative outcomes for patients, nurses, and healthcare organisations; however, we lack understanding of the relationships between nurse fatigue, burnout, psychological well-being, team vitality, presenteeism, and patient safety in nursing. In this study from Rainbow et al., the two aims were: (a) to examine the fit of a literature-derived model of the relationships between presenteeism, psychological health and well-being, fatigue, burnout, team vitality, and patient safety; and (b) to examine the role of presenteeism as a mediator between patient safety and the other model variables. The findings indicate that focusing on job-stress presenteeism may be relevant for this population and may offer additional insight into factors contributing to decreased nurse performance and the resulting risks to patient safety.
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Content ArticleMore than six weeks into the lockdown and if you were to gauge the mood of the nation, it would be one of fatigue. It started as an all-hands-on-deck emergency situation, but it now transpires that the current work situation for healthcare professionals is not going to change any time soon. This is a marathon rather than a sprint. So how can we better look after ourselves to cope with this new realisation? This BMJ podcast features Dr Caroline Walker, an NHS-based psychiatrist and therapist. Wait until the end for Caroline's simple technique she uses to help when feeling overwhelmed.
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Content ArticleSome degree of post-viral fatigue (PVF) or debility is a fairly common occurrence after any type of viral infection.Fortunately, in most cases, this is short lived and there is a steady return to normal health over a period of a few weeks.However, in some cases, a full return to normal health takes months rather than weeks.Additional symptoms may also develop, where the term post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) may be a more appropriate diagnosis. The situation with persisting fatigue following COVID-19 infection appears to be rather more complicated than what happens with other viral illnesses.
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Content ArticleThis guide from RSSB povides a practical illustration of how fatigue risks can be systematically managed to improve the health and safety of the workforce and operations. Although for the rail industry, it can be applied to other organisations. It sets out key elements of effective fatigue management and illustrates how these can be incorporated into a company's overarching safety management arrangements.
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Content ArticleIn this blog, Shawn Achor and Michelle Gielan discuss resilience, the importance of recovery and how we can build resilience.
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Content ArticleThis study by Hall et al. looked at whether there is an association between healthcare professionals’ wellbeing and burnout, with patient safety. The authors found that poor wellbeing and moderate to high levels of burnout are associated, in the majority of studies reviewed, with poor patient safety outcomes such as medical errors, however the lack of prospective studies reduces the ability to determine causality. Further prospective studies, research in primary care, conducted within the UK, and a clearer definition of healthcare staff wellbeing are needed.
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Intensive Care Society: Wellbeing resource library
Claire Cox posted an article in Mental health
The Intensive Care Society is delighted to share their wellbeing resource pack developed with Dr Julie Highfield, Clinical Psychologist. The poster series aims to improve our understanding of psychological wellbeing at work, the impact reduced wellbeing can have and what we can do in response, and includes tips for dealing with extraordinary situations such as COVID-19 and everyday working in critical care. -
Content Article
Association for Anaesthetists: Tips for night shifts
Claire Cox posted an article in Motivating staff
The Association for Anaesthetists have produced some 'top tips' for night shift workers. What tips do you have to keep you feeling well overnight? -
Content ArticleThis month’s Letter from America highlights approaches to addressing persistent patient safety challenges, such as overprescribing of opioids and staff burnout, through working with clinicians, staff and patients to enhance service delivery and care and opportunities to effectively engage communities. Letter from America is the latest in a Patient Safety Learning blog series highlighting fresh accomplishments in patient safety from the United States.
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Content ArticleKirkland Medical Center is an outpatient clinic in the Virginia Mason Health System in the USA. Kirkland uses an innovative, system-wide management method to improve patient care and safety by eliminating waste and inefficiencies. This management method is used to streamline repetitive aspects of care delivery, standardise clinical roles and engage in continuous learning activities. This case study highlights key features of Kirkland Medical Center’s management approach that have led to improved rates of employee satisfaction, engagement, and overall well-being. Two pillars play a central role in improving well-being: (1) workflow optimisation and (2) a culture of collegiality, respect, and innovation.
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Content Article
AWARE – Well-being resources
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Good practice
A suite of resources designed to promote well-being among US residents, fellows, faculty members, and others has been created by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. This initial set of AWARE resources focuses on individual strategies for cognitive skill building, and includes a video workshop, podcasts, and the ACGME AWARE app. -
Content ArticleThis article from Kemper et al., published in Pediatrics, looks at the national epidemiology of burnout in pediatric residents in the USA. The authors found that the majority of the residents surveyed met burnout criteria. Several identified factors (e.g., stress, sleepiness, medical errors, empathy, CCC, and self-compassion) suggest targets for interventions to reduce burnout in future studies.
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News Article
Harrowing stories of burned out NHS doctors bullied and broken
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Dedicated to caring for the sick and vulnerable, junior doctors should expect to be supported and valued as they carry out their vital work. However, hundreds have revealed they are subjected to bullying and harassment at overstretched hospitals that have been plunged into a staffing crisis by a decade of savage health cuts. A Mirror investigation uncovered harrowing stories of young medics being denied drinking water during gruelling shifts, working for 15 hours on their feet non-stop and of uncaring managers tearing into them for breaking down in tears over the deaths of patients. One was even accused of “stealing” surgical scrubs she took to wear after suffering a miscarriage at work. The distraught woman finished her shift wearing blood-soaked trousers, instead of going home to rest. Doctors are now quitting in their droves, leaving those left struggling to cope with a growing workload. The Mirror investigation reveals the reality of working for an NHS which has been subject to a record funding squeeze and is 8,000 medics short. Health chiefs vowed to investigate the Mirror’s evidence from 602 testimonials submitted to the lobbying group Doctors Association UK. Chairman Dr Rinesh Parmar said: “These heartbreaking stories from across the country show the extent of bullying and harassment that frontline doctors face whilst working to care for patients". Read full story Source: The Mirror, 12 February 2020 -
News Article
NHS hospitals bring in sleep pods to help tired staff take a break
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Help is arriving for overworked NHS staff as a growing number of hospitals bring in sleep pods for doctors and nurses to grab power naps during their shifts. Pods have been installed or are being trialled by a dozen hospitals in England. Royal Wolverhampton NHS trust was the first to try them, in June 2018. “Too many staff end up exhausted because they have long, busy, sometimes stressful shifts, often with little chance to grab a break because pressure on the NHS is so intense,” said Prof Steve Field, the trust’s chair. “We know that doctors provide better, safer care when they are fresh and alert. We have found [the pods] to be very popular with staff and also very effective in helping them get more rest,” said Field, a former GP. Dr Mike Farquhar, a consultant in sleep medicine at the Evelina children’s hospital in London, who has persuaded NHS chiefs to take staff slumber more seriously, said hospitals were finally taking practical action. “Air traffic controllers are only allowed to work for two hours and then they must take a 30-minute break, because if they were tired and made a mistake, bad things could happen,” he said. “But in the NHS, where the pressure is often high and sustained, the problem is that the people delivering care will usually choose to prioritise everything else – especially patients – over themselves and sacrifice things like breaks and sleep.” Read full story Source: The Guardian, 3 February 2020 -
Content ArticleFollowing the traumatic death of an anaesthetic trainee who was returning home after a night shift, the Fatigue Group supported by the Association of Anaesthetists and RCoA have surveyed UK trainees about shift working and fatigue. With a 60% response rate, the survey highlights a wide variation in access to rest facilities, commuting distances and concerning effects of fatigue on trainees.
