It’s that time of year, again. With the cold and flu season well underway, reports indicate it may be another record-breaking year in terms of outbreaks of the unique virus strains. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that up to 42.9 million people will contract or have contracted a form of the influenza strain between October 1, 2018, and May 4, 2019. This results in 20.1 million flu based medical visits and over 640,000 flu-related hospitalizations.
Based on these numbers, the CDC expects that up to 61,000 people will have die(d) due to complications from the illness. Similar to the way a flu shot battles the effects of the virus, Hospitals must be proactive in protecting their Nurses from another epidemic they will face during this peak season: burnout.
According to Time Magazine, the 2018-2019 flu season was the longest in a decade, spanning over 21 weeks. If this trend continues, Nurses may face an increased workload for nearly 6 out of 12 months. Burnout is one of the primary reasons Registered Nurses seek new employment or are dissatisfied with their jobs due to schedules, shift coverage and pay. Now is the time to consider how you will battle burnout of your nursing staff to ensure your team is ready to provide the highest level of patient care.
Here are the top ways to mitigate this threat during the busiest time of year:
Ensure There Are Enough Nurses To Support Expected Patient Volume
Proactively schedule all shifts with a full staff to ensure there are enough nurses to support expected patient volume. Not only does this provide a better experience for your patients, but the natural increase in patient visits (particularly in the ER) can be better handled with the right amount of support.
Allow Nurses To Take Sick Time And Time Off
If a Nurse is sick, allowing them adequate rest and recovery limits the spread of illness and shows staff, you care for their well-being. While carrying extra nurses that can be used as floats in multiple units can help alleviate a call out and keep the floor fully staffed as needed.
Consider Permanent Nurses Vs. Travel
Though it may seem like a natural fit to bring a travel Nurse on for 13 weeks during the peak season, the cost to your hospital for doing so is tremendous. Not to mention, you have more flexibility with hours and shift requirements with permanent Nurses, and all at a much lower cost. Additionally, when the flu season breaks, that Nurse is part of your core staff and will continue to deliver top-quality care year-round and will be a veteran for your next flu season!
So, are you ready for the 2020 flu season?