With the recent tornado disasters in the southern states this week, thousands of injured residents have flooded local and state hospitals. DCH Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, AL saw over 600 patients within hours of the tornado and Cullman, AL Regional Medical Center saw over 100. UAB hospital in Birmingham took in some of the over flow of patients surrounding areas could not accommodate. With all the recent hospital intake, it raises a question "Are hospitals adequately staffed to handle public health emergencies such as natural disasters?"
In an article published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this month indicates there is a concern that long-term nursing shortages may present a challenge for hospitals to be prepared for emergency intake.
Dr. Matthew D McHugh from the University of Pennsylvania stresses that there needs to be a national commitment to the nursing workforce to ensure emergency preparedness.
The challenge is many hospitals have little flexibility for unanticipated overflow in patient acuity and demand on a daily basis.
Studies show in order to address the shortage of nurses and keep pace with the future demand, nursing schools need to graduate 25% more nurses each year for hospitals to be equipped with enough nurses to cover public health emergencies. This reason is why, Dr. Hughes suggests a federally funded incentive program offered to nursing schools and hospitals who help educate and produce nurses to the workforce.
To read the full article from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, visit their website at:
http://www.ahrq.gov/research/apr11/0411RA14.htm
In an article published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this month indicates there is a concern that long-term nursing shortages may present a challenge for hospitals to be prepared for emergency intake.
Dr. Matthew D McHugh from the University of Pennsylvania stresses that there needs to be a national commitment to the nursing workforce to ensure emergency preparedness.
The challenge is many hospitals have little flexibility for unanticipated overflow in patient acuity and demand on a daily basis.
Studies show in order to address the shortage of nurses and keep pace with the future demand, nursing schools need to graduate 25% more nurses each year for hospitals to be equipped with enough nurses to cover public health emergencies. This reason is why, Dr. Hughes suggests a federally funded incentive program offered to nursing schools and hospitals who help educate and produce nurses to the workforce.
To read the full article from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, visit their website at:
http://www.ahrq.gov/research/apr11/0411RA14.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment