In a revealing study, data has shown an alarming uptick in the hours and responsibilities imposed on infection preventionists (IPs), largely due to persistent staffing shortages. These factors amplify the risk of burnout among IPs and potentially compromise the safety of both patients and healthcare workers. Study authors in conversation with Infection Control Today® (ICT®) explain that IPs are now clocking in an average of 43.6 hours per week, pushing the boundaries of their physical and mental well-being.
Brenna Doran, PhD, MA, of the University of California, highlights how IPs now bear the weight of previously unassigned duties including emergency preparedness, data analysis, and antimicrobial stewardship among others. The growing burden of regulatory demands and reporting obligations increases time commitment causing further strain. The pandemic, asserts Jessica Swain, MBA, MLT of Dartmouth Health, has significantly broadened the scope of the IP’s responsibilities without a corresponding increase in staffing resources.
The implications of understaffing among IPs are far-reaching. According to Shanina Knighton, an associate professor at Case Western Reserve University, delayed detection due to fewer IPs could result in slower response to outbreaks and higher rates of hospital-acquired infections, undoubtedly compromising patient safety. Overworked IPs also face a higher risk of burnout, which potentially impacts the quality of infection prevention and control practices.
The study underscores the criticality of aligning staffing models with the expanding scope of infection prevention duties. IPs are expected to perform more than ever before, with disproportionately fewer resources. Doran highlights the necessity of institutional support to cope with the increasing workload and working hours for IPs. Furthermore, it’s essential to constantly uphold not just patient safety but healthcare workers’ safety as well.
Despite the pandemic’s considerable impact on healthcare systems worldwide, infection prevention programs are still experiencing pressure. Healthcare-associated infection rates understandably rose during this period, prompting an immediate shift in focus to address these health crises. However, sustaining these efforts with limited staff numbers presents substantial challenges. IPs, more than ever before, need to ensure their well-being too.