As healthcare workers, it's no secret that you can experience stress levels that are higher than most other professions. This can lead to burnout which can have serious implications on patient safety. In this article, we'll explore the link between burnout and patient safety, and what every healthcare worker needs to know about it.

Firstly, let's define burnout.

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress.

Healthcare workers are particularly susceptible to burnout due to the long hours, high-pressure situations, and emotional toll of caring for patients.However, the effects of burnout go beyond the individual. Burnout can lead to medical errors, decreased patient satisfaction, and decreased quality of care. A recent study published in the Journal of Patient Safety found that burnout was a significant predictor of adverse events and patient safety incidents.

But why does burnout have such a significant impact on patient safety?

When healthcare workers experience burnout, they may become less attentive to detail, less empathetic towards patients, and less able to communicate effectively with their colleagues. This can lead to errors in diagnosis, medication administration, and communication failures that can jeopardise patient safety.

So how can healthcare workers prevent burnout and ensure patient safety remains a priority?