Tuesday, September 15, 2009

The solution really is simple

One hundred patients through our emergency room door was a very busy day for us. Hell, eighty through our doors was busy enough. I've since moved on from my busy, challenging, exciting little hospital, and I'm relieved I have.

I loved the emergency room. The staff, the challenges, the excitement. But now we easily see 150 plus 4-5 days a week. They've added a new nurse position to help with the extra work load.

It's six years since I last worked there, but I keep in regular contact with the few old friends I've still got there.

95% of the original, experienced staff I worked with have left. The new staff last about 2-3yrs on average.

Total burnout plus fear of screwing up due immense workload = Run for the hills.

The hospital has a budget it can't go over. The government has set aside 13 billion over x number of years for expected legal expenses due to litigation.

What if six billion of this was spent on adequate staffing. I'm pretty sure you'd save at least as much as you spent.

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