Review of Current Healthcare Issues
Healthcare professionals working in critical care areas suffer from high psychological, emotional, and physical stress levels. Critical units of care, such as intensive care units, have higher work demands, which negatively impact the well-being of nurses and other healthcare professionals. A major healthcare issue that has increased the stress levels of healthcare professionals is the Covid-19 pandemic. Healthcare professionals were the frontline soldiers in the pandemic. They were, however, overburdened and under-equipped during the first wave, which resulted in higher stress levels (Couarraze et al., 2021). The pandemic also increased burnout, increasing the risk of physical and mental issues (Couarraze et al., 2021).
I am currently working in the intensive care unit of a busy healthcare facility. The pandemic has increased stress levels for all individuals on this floor. Covid-19 has increased the number of admissions into the ICU, which has increased the workload for nurses. Covid-19 has resulted in an unsafe work environment, staff shortages, and adverse patient outcomes. Since the pandemic started, we have had four different unit managers and the death of fifteen nurses. As a result, this has reduced employees’ morale as most of them are depressed.
Evidence-based practice involves integrating current literature into clinical practice to improve healthcare outcomes (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2018). My healthcare organization responded to the pandemic by developing new infection control protocols. Current guidelines support the effectiveness of hand hygiene and personal protective equipment to control the spread of the virus (Islam et al., 2020). The implemented infection protocols in my organization included regular hand sanitization, the creation of COVID-19 isolation rooms, and an adequate supply of PPEs. Similarly, this made the staff members feel safer and delivered care.
References
Couarraze, S., Delamarre, L., Marhar, F., Quach, B., Jiao, J., Avilés Dorlhiac, R., Saadaoui, F., Liu, A. S., Dubuis, B., Antunes, S., Andant, N., Pereira, B., Ugbolue, U. C., Baker, J. S., Clinchamps, M., & Dutheil, F. (2021). The major worldwide stress of healthcare professionals during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic – the international COVISTRESS survey. PLOS ONE, 16(10), e0257840. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257840
Islam, M. S., Rahman, K. M., Sun, Y., Qureshi, M. O., Abdi, I., Chughtai, A. A., & Seale, H. (2020). Current knowledge of COVID-19 and infection prevention and control strategies in healthcare settings: A global analysis. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 41(10), 1196-1206. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2020.237
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2018). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters
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Question 
Discussion: Review of Current Healthcare Issues
If you were to ask 10 people what they believe to be the most significant issue facing healthcare today, you might get 10 different answers. Escalating costs? Regulation? Technology disruption?
Review of Current Healthcare Issues
These and many other topics are worthy of discussion. Not surprisingly, much has been said about them in the research, within the profession, and in the news. Whether they are issues of finance, quality, workload, or outcomes, there is no shortage of changes to be addressed.
In this Discussion, you examine a national healthcare issue and consider how that issue may impact your work setting. You also analyze how your organization has responded to this issue.
To Prepare:
Review the Resources and select one current national healthcare issue/stressor to focus on.
Reflect on the current national healthcare issue/stressor you selected and think about how this issue/stressor may be addressed in your work setting.
By Day 3 of Week 1
Post a description of the national healthcare issue/stressor you selected for analysis, and explain how the healthcare issue/stressor may impact your work setting. Then, describe how your health system work setting has responded to the healthcare issue/stressor, including a description of what changes may have been implemented. Be specific and provide examples.