"Staffing Shortages Could Increase Liability Risks," Healthcare Risk Management

Posted On September 8, 2022

In an article published in the August issue of Healthcare Risk Management, Elizabeth Wiles, of counsel, discusses the positive correlation between hospital staffing shortages and increased claims, from both a liability and workers’ compensation standpoint.

Wiles suggests that as staffing shortages persist, risks continue to trickle down and can be seen through the quality of care including hospital-acquired conditions, the inability to complete required care tasks, missed medications and forgotten procedures.

“Staffing shortages will negatively affect patients if appropriate care cannot be provided, but it is equally important to consider the effect on hospital employees,” said Wiles. “Overexertion, physical exhaustion, and dreaded burnout symptoms can lead to poor judgment, accidents and compensable injuries. Statistically speaking, private industry healthcare workers exhibit a higher rate of injury and illness compared to other fields.”

Wiles provides the example of a nurse singlehandedly attempting to lift a patient because no one is available to assist. She mentions that patient lifting commonly results in lumbar strain, shoulder injuries or worse. Employees may sustain injuries but decline to report it to avoid missing work and further burdening co-workers which, in the long term, can aggravate their injury.

“It’s a vicious cycle.” Wiles says. “Reduced staff are taking on additional hours and assignments, which increases the risk of injury. Injured employees will need time off of work to recover, which in turn further amplifies the staffing shortage. There’s also the risk that the injury results in permanent physical restrictions, negatively impacting the individual and the employer.”

To read the full article, click here.