A cross‐sectional study of COVID‐19 pandemic‐related organizational aspects in health care

Abstract

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Hospital Staffing during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sweden

“…This makes it possible to move staff (voluntary or imposed) from other departments of the hospital. Previous studies have reported staff movements within the hospital, such as physicians and nurses from different specialties assisting in the ICU, ED, and inpatient care units [ 7 , 21 , 24 , 27 ]. In the Netherlands, 61% of the EDs were expanded with nursing staff and physicians from other departments for COVID-19 emergency care [ 18 ].…”

“…Additionally, anesthesiologists could knowledgeably contribute to the ICU requirements [ 20 ]. However, Jensen et al [ 27 ] have reported that many of the healthcare workers who had moved perceived that their new job did not resemble their usual job at all, or only resembled it to a small degree. Consequently, the staff in the new positions needed rapid training.…”

“…Healthcare organizations have, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, used both voluntarism and imposition when relocating staff. A study conducted in Denmark by Jensen et al [ 27 ] reported that 57% of the study participants re-located from their regular job, and 80% of these were imposed or partially imposed to their new position. Chow et al [ 29 ] and Jensen et al [ 27 ] suggested that imposed staff are less satisfied and have less training experience than others, while voluntarism could lead to a positive experience of professional growth, also in addition to self-growth, societal awareness, and leadership and team management skills [ 29 ].…”

“…Chow [ 29 ] suggests that personal narratives and role modeling by senior staff can be invaluable in recruiting volunteers. Practical factors, such as childcare support when schools are closed, ensuring transportation to reach the workplace when public transport was shut down, and providing additional housing to protect family members encouraged staff to perform their duties admirably [ 7 , 27 ].…”

“…The risk of infection or carrying the infection and death in the family was stressful for the staff, and several studies have reported the mental impact of the risk at work [ 7 , 27 , 32 ]. Jensen et al [ 27 ] reported that 89%, 36%, and 40% of the professionals were apprehensive of transmitting the infection to their families, colleagues, and patients, respectively. Therefore, it is crucial to protect healthcare workers by ensuring the availability of PPE and training them in its correct usage [ 31 , 33 ].…”