As American Society for Health Care Human Resources Administration, 2020 says organizations typically have a system or code of ethics by which employees are expected to operate and behave with the customers of the enterprise. In the healthcare arena, there are specific published ethical standards that prescribe the requirements and standards of conduct expected from medical professionals as well as human resources professionals.
The weight of responsibility here is higher than any other. Due to the nature of this industry they as Human resources handlers face specific challenges and so they must adopt specified skills to smooth sail the ship.
Not as in other industries, in health related businesses a small error in the code of conduct may result in a vast negative impact in the human lives and as well as in organizational reputation. The most important factor is the impacts that resulted by the breach in the code of conduct cannot be reversed or compensated here.
A Johns Hopkins study, 2018 claims more than 250,000 people in the U.S. die every year from medical errors. Other reports claim the numbers to be as high as 440,000.
Major medical errors were independently linked to work unit safety grades, physician burnout, and exhaustion. Workplace safety and physician well-being must be addressed in interventions aimed at lowering medical error rates. So the HR professionals must act immediately into this by rescheduling the working hours and hiring new qualified professionals to support the workforce.
Fatigue can have many adverse effects in the workplace, including:
- Increased risk of work errors (e.g., medication errors)
- Increased risk of accidents and injuries
- Reduced reaction times
- Reduced motivation
- Reduced communication ability
- Reduced ability to identify risks
- Reduced ability to convey empathy
- Reduced decision-making ability
- Reduced ability to control emotions
- Reduced attention to detail
- Reduced problem-solving ability
- Impaired memory
- Poor teamwork.
(Garrubba & Joseph, 2019; Kelton et al., 2014)
Factors that can lead to weariness
- Long shifts
- Roster patterns
- Poor job schedule and planning
- Working night shifts
- Insufficient time between shifts
- Staying awake for extended periods of time
- Uncomfortable environmental conditions
- Mental and physical work responsibilities
- Inadequate breaks
- Poor quality of sleep
- Sleep deprivation
- Travelling to and from work
- Balancing family, social, and professional obligations.
Stimpfel et al. (2012) describe longer shifts as detrimental to healthcare workers’ wellbeing, care of clients, and staff turnover. They also acknowledge the necessity for constructing workplace policies and cultures that support nurses taking leave, leaving their shifts on time, and not working overtime without being paid accordingly.
References
Google Books. (2021). Human Resources Management and Ethics. [online] Available at: https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=99QeEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA225&dq=related:JdH0FiT_Mr0J:scholar.google.com/&ots=VXitEPogJQ&sig=IT4MCK_kI3uGGOJjQ4zFUZZ1NF8 [Accessed 6 Nov. 2024].
Sipherd, R. (2018). The third-leading cause of death in US most doctors don’t want you to know about. [online] CNBC. Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/22/medical-errors-third-leading-cause-of-death-in-america.html.
mcdreeamie-musings. (n.d.). Are medical errors really the third most common cause of death? [online] Available at: https://mcdreeamiemusings.com/blog/2019/10/17/are-medical-errors-really-the-third-most-common-cause-of-death.
Health, J. (2024). Navigating Healthcare Workforce Challenges in 2024: A Closer Look. [online] Junohealth.com. Available at: https://www.junohealth.com/blog/key-healthcare-workforce-challenges?_gl=1 [Accessed 6 Nov. 2024].
Murthy, V. (2022). Health Worker Burnout — Current Priorities of the U.S. Surgeon General. [online] www.hhs.gov. Available at: https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/health-worker-burnout/index.html.
This blog effectively highlighted the significant responsibility that HR professionals shoulder, particularly in industries like healthcare, where the stakes are incredibly high. In healthcare, HR not only manages day-to-day employee functions but also plays a crucial role in ensuring patient care is not compromised, all while maintaining a balanced and motivated workforce
ReplyDeleteThe article explains the centrality of ethics and HR practices in health care. Further, there is a need to implement periodic check-ups for mental health, resiliency training for staff to avoid burnout, and increased better patient care toward a healthier culture and better organizational outcomes.
ReplyDeleteThis well articulated blog specifically addresses the important of these measures should be part of a broader, holistic approach that includes support for mental health, training on error reduction techniques, and the fostering of a safety culture across all levels of healthcare organizations. Additionally, HR professionals could collaborate with clinical leaders to ensure that interventions are tailored to the specific needs of different work units.
ReplyDeleteExcellent article! Healthcare HRM faces unique challenges, from managing staffing shortages to ensuring compliance with ever-changing regulations. Balancing employee well-being with high patient care standards is a constant challenge. It’s clear that a strong focus on recruitment, retention, and employee support is key to overcoming these hurdles and building a resilient healthcare workforce. Great insights into a complex and critical field
ReplyDeleteThis article is particularly significant because it demonstrates the importance of ethics in healthcare HR. In a field where people’s lives are on the line, the burden to abide by rigorous ethical practices is heavy. Other industries can afford to lose a beat in the delivery of service but even a small miss in the healthcare continuum can be devastating to a patient and even the institution. Data from the Johns Hopkins study are shocking and offer a chilling perspective on the risks involved.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many causes of healthcare worker fatigue and you have highlighted them perfectly. As such, what do you think healthcare HR professionals should begin when it comes to policy changes?
ReplyDeleteYou’ve highlighted the crucial connection between workplace safety, physician well-being, and medical errors, which is incredibly important in healthcare. The focus on fatigue as a factor contributing to errors is valid, as sleep deprivation and long shifts can impair judgment and increase the likelihood of mistakes.
ReplyDeleteIt raises the question: Are healthcare organizations doing enough to address these factors through better scheduling and support systems for their staff?
Implementing these changes would not only improve patient care but also foster a healthier work environment. Your points emphasize the need for immediate HR interventions to prevent potentially irreversible consequences.
You have effectively highlighted the unique and significant challenges that HR professionals face in the healthcare industry, especially in balancing staff well-being with the high standards required for patient care. Your focus on the essential role HR plays in upholding ethical practices and minimizing fatigue-related errors is well-articulated. Emphasizing the link between healthcare worker well-being, workplace safety, and patient outcomes underscores the importance of immediate and targeted HR strategies. Implementing improved scheduling practices, comprehensive support systems, and mental health initiatives would be vital steps to reduce errors and create a healthier, more resilient work environment.
ReplyDeleteThis article provides a thorough examination of the challenges faced by Human Resource Management (HRM) in the healthcare sector. It effectively highlights the unique difficulties such as managing a diverse workforce, ensuring compliance with stringent regulations, and addressing high turnover rates. The insights on leveraging technology and data analytics to enhance HR practices are particularly valuable.
ReplyDeleteThank you for highlighting the key challenges in healthcare HRM. From managing workforce shortages and ensuring compliance with regulations, to fostering employee well-being and maintaining a high level of patient care, the complexities are significant. Your post offers valuable insights into how HR can play a critical role in addressing these challenges and supporting healthcare professionals in an often stressful and demanding environment."
ReplyDeleteThis article clearly outlines the critical challenges HR faces in healthcare, particularly the impact of fatigue and ethical standards. The high consequences of errors in this field make HR's role in supporting staff and maintaining well-being crucial. I agree with the focus on burnout prevention. How can HR work more closely with leadership to implement better fatigue management practices?
ReplyDelete