The report is the first time countrywide data on overtime, sick leave and nursing agency usage was used to examine staffing shortages during COVID-19. The report concluded patients suffered more preventable harm in hospitals during the pandemic as staffing levels for healthcare workers dropped significantly. While there are other factors involved in increased rates of harm to hospital patients, the conditions examined by the report - including UTIs, pneumonias and pressure ulcers - are conditions linked to hospital healthcare worker staffing levels. Hospital staff overtime increased 53% and sick leave jumped 17% over the 2020-2021 period. The hours of overtime and the hours lost to sick leave were the equivalent of 13,800 full-time healthcare jobs.
Related:
Tendances liées au personnel hospitalier et aux préjudices à l’hôpital durant la pandémie - ICIS