Des Moines Sun

The burnout of health workers related to the COVID-19 pandemic is generating concern nationwide that hospitals could face critical staff shortages even as the Delta variant renews concerns over further outbreaks.

Burnout is a problem for healthcare workers even at the best of times, according to a study published on the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table website. The pandemic has accelerated the rate at which healthcare professionals are likely to reach their breaking point.

“One thing I'd love to see is a comprehensive breakdown for the public of how staffing/covid surge/lack of staffed beds affects all levels of hospitals in Iowa," a Twitter user identified as Memento Mori, a hospice, intensive care unit and COVID unit chaplain, tweeted. "I really, really don't think people understand the domino effects.”

In addition to the strong effects on nurses and staff working in ICU and emergency departments, the study points to the added stress on recent graduates and trainees.

One recommendation has been for hospitals and other medical facilities to pay additional attention to taking care of staff in relation to the pandemic, according to the study. Specifically, medical facilities need to ensure adequate staffing, leadership and working conditions, but they also need to implement support networks and work to ensure staff is confident in performing relevant tasks.

The Chicago Tribune reported that after a year and a half on the front lines, doctors are facing fatigue both over their work and the perception that society at large is not fully supporting efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Tribune spoke to one ICU nurse who recalled a week last November when she would receive a new COVID-19 patient each day, and that patient would be dead by noon. That kind of stress has led to many considering leaving the field altogether, with the American Association of Critical Care Nurses stating that 66% of surveyed nurses are considering leaving the healthcare industry.