An article published in medical journal The Lancet has revealed that increased workload on nurses is a threat to the lives of patients. The research conducted in European hospitals in nine countries reviewed the medical records of over 420,000 patients, all over 50 years old. The patients were observed for 30 days after surgery discharge.

Juha Kinnunen, part-time professor at the University of Eastern Finland, said the connection was undeniable. According to the findings of the research, death of patient after surgery is minimal and only 1-1.5% of the patients die after surgery. Death of patients, however, varied across hospitals and the worst case revealed was 7% post-surgery death. Statistically, rise in nurse workload increases the likelihood of a patient dying by 7%.

The research also revealed that there was a co-relation between death risks for a patients with the level of education of nurses. It established that if the nurses are highly educated, chances that a patient may die is reduced.  Kinnunen, in-charge of the study in Finland, said there should be more nurses with Masters and PhDs adding that raising the level of education is for the patient’s benefit. Current economic difficulties mean that municipalities are trying to bring out savings from the healthcare sector as well. Kinnunen advised that the targets of the austerity measures should be addressed carefully. He pointed out that savings in personnel and doctors maintenance should be carefully considered because added workload might result in higher risk.

Maija Wilskman, an expert from Tehy, a union of health and social care professionals, affirmed that the results of the study supported the fact that rush at workplace could lead to malpractices. She also reminded that long working days pose risk to patients’ safety. Finland was ranked best in the study but a more accurate placement would be available after the completion of the report in summer.

http://www.finlandtimes.fi/health/2014/02/27/5109/Workload-on-nurses-puts-patients-lives-at-risk