Considerations for acute care staffing during a pandemic

Area of Science:

• Medicine
• Public Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented global disruption.
• Existing pandemic preparedness guidelines lack focus on acute care staffing.
• Healthcare workers face significant physical and mental health challenges during pandemics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of pandemic work on acute care medical and nursing staff.
• To propose strategies for maintaining adequate staffing in acute care settings during pandemics.
• To identify methods for creating surge capacity and ensuring long-term sustainability of the healthcare workforce.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing pandemic preparedness guidelines.
• Analysis of the effects of pandemic-related work on healthcare professionals.
• Synthesis of strategies for workforce management and surge capacity.

Main Results:

• Pandemic work significantly affects healthcare staff's physical and mental health.
• Proactive strategies are needed to prevent and manage staff shortages.
• Developing surge capacity and sustainable staffing models are crucial for pandemic response.

Conclusions:

• Acute care settings require specific strategies to support staff during pandemics.
• Hospital leadership must implement plans for workforce resilience and surge capacity.
• Sustainable staffing is essential for effective pandemic response and patient care.