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COVID-19

Reducing Nurses' Workload Increases Mental Workload and Decreases Direct Patient Care in COVID-19 Setting

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Nurses caring for COVID-19-positive patients face significant workload and care-quality challenges. According to a study by researchers from the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), digital human modeling and discrete event simulation were used to examine the effects of caring for COVID-19-positive patients on nurses' workload and care-quality. The study found that reducing nurses' biomechanical workload led to increased mental workload, decreased direct patient care, and potentially higher stress, burnout, and errors.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study used digital human modeling and discrete event simulation to evaluate the impact of caring for COVID-19-positive patients on nurses' workload and care-quality.
  • Reducing nurses' biomechanical workload decreased cumulative bilateral shoulder moments and lumbar load by 38%, 36%, and 46%, respectively, but also increased mental workload by 242%, task waiting-time by 70%, and missed-care by 353%.
  • The effects were driven by the large increase in required infection control routines, highlighting the need for effective workplace/task designs to mitigate the risks.
  • The study demonstrated the potential of combining digital human modeling and discrete event simulation in evaluating workplace/task designs and informing healthcare system design-policy setting and operational management decision-making.

Statistics:

  • 38% decrease in cumulative bilateral shoulder moments
  • 36% decrease in lumbar load
  • 46% decrease in lumbar load
  • 242% increase in mental workload
  • 70% increase in task waiting-time
  • 353% increase in missed-care
  • Peer-reviewed research by the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)

Sources:

  • Applied Ergonomics. (2023). Computer simulation as a macroergonomic approach to assessing nurse workload and biomechanics related to COVID-19 patient care.
  • Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
  • NewsRx. (2023). Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Reports Findings in COVID-19 (Computer simulation as a macroergonomic approach to assessing nurse workload and biomechanics related to COVID-19 patient care). Computer Weekly News. September 20, 2023; p 1.

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