by Healthcare shortages are common today, especially in rural or underserved areas, and they have a significant impact on the care patients receive. Not only are there issues for the staff, leading to more burnout and exacerbating the issue, but it also means patients aren’t able to receive the care they need and may not be as healthy as they could be if it were easier to receive care. Some of the ways healthcare shortages are impacting patients include the following.
Longer Wait Times for Help
When there are staffing challenges, patients are going to have to wait longer to get an appointment. Emergency appointments may be more limited, and patients can end up waiting weeks or months to be able to see a physician. On top of this, when it is the day of their appointment, they can end up spending hours in the waiting room if there aren’t enough physicians to handle everything quickly. It’s crucial for facilities to work on planning for future staffing needs to cover temporary and permanent gaps.
Increase in Medical Errors
Studies have shown that staffing shortages can end up causing an increase in medical errors, which can significantly impact patient health. Patients are more at risk of missing important appointments, having symptoms overlooked, or not getting the right care for their health concerns when physicians feel rushed or don’t have time to see as many patients during the day. Instead, by planning ahead, it’s possible to reduce the potential for medical errors by ensuring the facility is always fully staffed.
Poor Patient Experience
Patients may not end up having a good experience if there is a staff shortage. Burnout and stress can mean that the staff is unable to provide their normal level of care, and patients may not get the explanations they need or feel like they weren’t given enough time to fully discuss their concerns with the physician. They may end up not understanding what they need to do for their health, or feel like they are being dismissed when they could have a serious health concern. Ensuring the facility is fully staffed helps to reduce this, giving physicians more time with the patients so each one feels like they received the care they need.
Delayed Preventative Care
Preventative care is vital, but it can be delayed when there are staffing issues at the facility. Patients may have trouble making appointments when they need preventative care, or may not be able to receive the care they need due to shorter appointment times and physicians hurrying to provide care to as many patients as possible during the day. This can end up causing a health decline in patients where the preventative care is crucial, so it can have a huge overall impact. By planning ahead for shortages, facilities can ensure patients are able to get the preventive care they need.
Patient care and safety are directly related to the staffing of local healthcare facilities. When there are staffing shortages, it can quickly start to impact patient care, no matter how hard the staff works. Instead, it’s a good idea to look into innovative staffing solutions and start preparing for the future. This way, healthcare facilities can ensure they are fully staffed and ready to provide patients with the best care possible.
