Decreasing nurse burn out could save Philadelphia $41 million per year

Back in 2010, researches at the University of Pennsylvania determined that if a minimum nurse-to-patient ratio — similar to the one in California — was initiated, it would prevent 222 surgical deaths in New Jersey and 264 in Pennsylvania.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, new research by the same team indicates that staffing numbers are not the only cause of harm to patients, but also an overall bad work environment and the burnout it often leads to.

In fact, the study, published Monday in the American Journal of Infection Control, suggests that if the proportion of burned-out nurses in Pennsylvania was decreased from 30 percent to 10 percent, 4,160 of the two most common hospital acquired infections would be prevented. Additionally, this would save an estimated $41 million per year across the state.

Obviously nurse burnout is a large problem looming over hospitals. What solutions do you think would best help alleviate the problem? Let us know in the comments below!

Source:
Philadelphia Inquirer