The pandemic had a widespread effect on different industries around the world. While many businesses closed when it first started, it also impacted healthcare services such as hospitals and medical facilities. The health crisis put a considerable strain on the healthcare industry as medical personnel worked hard to provide proper care to patients who contracted the virus.
Emergency medical services bore the brunt of the pandemic as medical facilities had to ensure they remained safe while handling emergencies. Many first responders had to make sure they wore proper protective equipment when responding to emergencies.
While 911 calls went down due to fear of contracting the disease, it also increased the number of cardiac arrests and deaths because of delayed medical care. The situation resulted in changes in how medical professionals deal with emergencies that will happen in the future.
Importance of Proper Preparation
While the situation has improved over a year after the pandemic started, the emergence of new variants fueled a recent surge in cases across the country. The delta variant of the virus quickly became the dominant variant due to its high transmission rate. Even as healthcare services had to grapple with the recent surge, they were better prepared than when the virus first came out over a year ago.
This highlights the importance of preparing for a health crisis, both local and global. Even as vaccination efforts are continuing, many are still hesitant in getting the vaccine. Building herd immunity can take some time due to this situation. And even if the majority gets the vaccine, it’s still possible for the virus to reach the unvaccinated section of the population.
With this, healthcare professionals should stay on their toes to respond appropriately whenever the need arises. The first responders should also have access to the medical records of the patients if it is possible. Access is made possible using a cardiology EMR software system that is continuously updated by medical personnel. If the patient has a record at the medical facility, the first responder can access his records and provide the necessary care to increase his chances of survival.
They should also have enough protective equipment to ensure they stay safe when they respond to emergencies. Additionally, their families should receive the vaccine as a preventive measure to reduce the risk of infection.
Provision for Continuing Training and Education
Healthcare facilities should also provide additional training and education to their personnel when handling. The changing needs within the industry have made it necessary for healthcare personnel to have the skills to deal with new challenges in the future. This requires them to learn new skills that improve their capabilities of providing care to patients. These new skills improve productivity and allow healthcare professionals to develop and grow.
Continuing education also allows healthcare professionals to keep up with the developments in their industry. This is particularly true when new technologies become available for the industry. With the changes that happened after the pandemic started, these professionals need to keep up with these changes. It also allows them to acquire the skills they need to handle any challenges with their jobs.
Emphasis Placed on Personal Care
Aside from upgrading their knowledge and skills, healthcare institutions should also focus on the wellness of their employees. The pandemic had a significant effect on their physical and mental health. When it started, a lot of healthcare personnel got infected and had to be hospitalized. The situation improved after the healthcare institutions implemented health and safety protocols to protect their employees.
But the effect was not limited to the physical health of the workers. They also had to deal with mental health issues, putting healthcare workers under considerable psychological pressure. They had to take care of patients while trying to avoid getting infected. The thought of getting infected has a significant effect on the psyche of the healthcare workers, which can affect their mental health.
With this, healthcare institutions should provide the necessary assistance to help healthcare personnel deal with these issues. They should provide them with all the necessary protective equipment and allow them to get the rest they need after their shift. Giving them suitable time to rests allows healthcare personnel to recharge and revitalize themselves after working extended shifts. Healthcare institutions should also give them recognition for the effort they exerted while at work.
Focus on Improving Worker Retention
Healthcare institutions should also focus on retaining their workers to avoid issues that affected their services. Even as a shortage of healthcare personnel might come in the future, hospitals and other medical institutions should focus on improving the working conditions of their employees.
They can provide suitable remuneration, proper protective equipment, and the opportunity to rest whenever necessary. They can also provide incentives for good performance and support wellness programs for the employees.
The pandemic made it essential for healthcare institutions to take care of their employees to reduce the risk of burnout while at work.
