For their research, experts performed an in-person and electronic survey of members of the Association of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Program Directors. The survey solicited feedback about patient workload, other education duties and perceptions about workplace and teaching environments in their respective ICUs. A total of 84 responses were received. Key findings from the surveys include the following points:
• Nearly one-third of respondents reported no policy setting an upper limit for the daily patient census.
• Another third of respondents felt the average patient census was “too many,” and 71 percent felt the maximum size was “too many.”
• The median patient-to-attending physician ratio was 13:1 (10-16).
• According to this median, ICU physicians with high patient/physician ratios reported more time constraints, stress and difficulties with teaching trainees than respondents with low patient/physician ratios.
Researchers suggest overburdened ICU physicians who direct fellowships or understaffed ICUs may negatively affect teaching, patient safety and workforce stability.
Related Articles on Staffing:
Nurse Staffing Levels Can Predict Risk of Patient Falls
Corpus Christi Medical Center Nurses Picket Over Staffing Levels
Nurses Report Amount of Time Spent on Indirect Care Has Increased
At Becker's 4th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, taking place November 2–5 in Chicago, more than 1,500 hospital and health system executives tackle decisions that determine whether organizations thrive or merely survive: protecting margins under cost pressure, choosing where to grow, renegotiating payer relationships, stabilizing the workforce and proving real ROI on technology. This is where leaders work through them together, face-to-face. Apply for complimentary registration now.
