Question

Explain how shortages of healthcare workers impact the ability to deliver quality care and manage risks

Answer 1

Shortages of healthcare workers impact the ability to deliver quality care and manage risks as the staff is overburdened and burned out, due to which they may commit errors in delivering care. According to reports prolonged shortages generally reduce the quantity of patient care by an increase in the operating and labor costs and a decrease in the efficiency and effectiveness of care provided due to the staff being overtaxed and burned out. In general, it is seen that the nurse shortage affects the processes more often than capacity (John, 2007) leading to adverse effects on risk management.