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Burnt out nurses at risk of PTSD, research reveals

Third of US intensive care nurses have symptoms of severe burnout, warn researchers
Burnout

Almost a third of intensive care nurses have severe burnout, leaving them at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol abuse and even suicidal thoughts, new research reveals.

The study from the Critical Care Societies Collaborative (CCSC), whose members include the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, also calls on employers to improve prevention measures and treatment for burnout among staff.

The CCSC said hospitals should provide special support for intensive care nurses at risk of burnout; defined as a state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress.

Severe burnout syndrome

Researchers who looked at published data about burnout estimate 25% to 33% of US critical care nurses – also known as intensive care nurses – have symptoms of severe burnout syndrome. Up to 86% have at least one of the three classic symptoms. In critical care nurses, the most common symptom of burnout is emotional exhaustion (73%), followed by a lack of personal accomplishment (60%) and depersonalisation (48%).

‘Hospital administrators should consider the reduction in turnover rates as an important quality metric of providing a successful work environment,' the report said.

‘They should also monitor job satisfaction and rates of [burnout] in their employees. 

‘Hospitals should provide assistance for employees with – or at risk of –  [burnout] and other psychological disorders such as PTSD.

‘Finally, hospitals or clinical practices should consider limiting the number of consecutive days that a critical care healthcare professional works, while promoting healthy sleep habits and the importance of sleep recovery.’

Burnout and quality of care

In nurses, burnout is associated with:

•    Reduced quality of care.
•    Lower patient satisfaction.
•    Increased number of medical errors.
•    Higher rates of healthcare associated infections.
•    Higher numbers of deaths within 30 days of a hospital procedure or an emergency admission to hospital.

The CCSC said the high burnout rate for critical care professionals was due to stressful intensive care environments.

Increased risk of suicidal thoughts

Triggers include high patient morbidity and mortality rates, challenging daily work routines and regular encounters with traumatic and ethical issues. This can all put healthcare professionals at risk of PTSD, alcohol abuse or suicidal thoughts.

Co-author and University of Colorado School of Medicine clinical research vice chair Marc Moss said: ‘We can’t take care of patients if we don’t take care of each other.

‘An increased commitment to research on burnout syndrome is a necessary first step.’

Further information

Read the CCSC call for action

How nurses can cope with stress and avoid burnout

 

 

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