In control during busy shifts
How do you manage your shift when, in principle, you have no idea how many patients will arrive right now, in an hour, later in the day, tomorrow, or next week? This article provides answers as we speak with Sune Laugesen, Chief Physician at the Emergency Department at Odense University Hospital (OUH), about the concept of ‘busy shifts.’
Sune Laugesen, a medical doctor, has been part of the Emergency Department (FAM) at OUH- since 2013. Today, he serves as Head of Education and Chief Physician, specializing in emergency and general medicine. Additionally, he is an external lecturer at the University of Southern Denmark and a Ph.D. student.
In his work at OUH’s Emergency Department, Sune relies daily on predictions from the Praemostro system, which he considers an invaluable tool:
“Fundamentally, the system predicts the number of incoming patients in the coming hours, allowing us to manage our resources as optimally as possible. This includes staffing levels for doctors and nurses as well as bed availability for patients,” he begins.
“Praemostro’s system is a critical tool for us every day, hour by hour, as it enables us to maintain the highest possible level of patient safety. If we’re too busy and unprepared for the workload, it can negatively affect patient care, making staff tasks more complicated on multiple fronts. This, in turn, can lead to reduced quality in decision-making and empathy. In this way, being overwhelmed can become a potential threat to patient safety,” he explains.
But what actually happens when things get too busy? The risks include patients waiting excessively, some not being treated in time, a lack of bed capacity, staff confusion, and, over time, stress or burnout. This can result in poor prioritization and less optimal decisions — outcomes that benefit no one.
The system provides clarity
“With Praemostro’s prediction system, we get a highly accurate indication of when things will get busy. And that has a huge impact on how we work in the moment. It helps us answer questions like: When do we have time to eat? Do we need to call in extra resources? What is the top priority right now? What can wait? How urgent is the situation with each individual patient? When we know how the hours are likely to unfold, we can prepare for the waves of pressure that may come. And it’s incredibly reassuring to be flying ahead of the plane, as we like to say,” explains Sune.
In control during busy shifts
When you know when a shift will get busy, you are far more in control. That’s precisely what Praemostro’s system contributes to through its predictions. “When you're mentally prepared for something, you can handle far more than if it comes as a surprise. Having control brings clarity, surplus energy, and a good mood. Surprise and the feeling of lacking control can lead to frustration, undermine efficiency, and so on,” he emphasizes.
In practice, Sune uses Praemostro’s system by checking the large screen in the department at the start of a shift and then approximately once an hour. The graphs provide him with insights to inform colleagues about upcoming waves of busyness, optimize current resource usage, or call in additional staff if needed.
“Praemostro’s system is a great help in our daily work! It increases patient safety and improves staff well-being,” he concludes.
Sune’s three tips for staff facing busy shifts
1. Focus on what’s most important – Identify tasks with immediate consequences and act promptly. If it’s urgent, address it now. If not, assess the situation and make a preliminary plan.
2. Stay ahead of the workload – Work proactively to prepare for busyness by consulting Praemostro’s prediction graphs, aiming to “fly ahead of the plane.”
3. Take care of yourself – Ensure you eat and drink enough. Use quieter periods for self-care so you’re ready to perform effectively when the workload increases.
How does busyness affect people?
There’s a big difference between having one or two busy shifts and working in an environment where busyness is the norm, such as in a hospital emergency department. However, acute and/or prolonged busyness can have various negative effects on people, both physically and mentally:
- Sleep problems
- Reduced empathy
- Sadness
- Burnout
- Stress
- Irritability
- Frustration
- Forgetting to eat and drink