
16 October 2023
High personal cost also for ICU Managers during the pandemic
The pandemic thrust intensive care staff into numerous challenges. In a recent scientific study, researchers examined the roles and experiences of managers at intensive care units. The conclusion is that the dramatic transformation of intensive care came at a high organizational and personal cost, and there are lessons to be learned.
Intensive care units around the world were at the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic. These units are staffed by highly qualified and interprofessional staff who care for the most critically ill patients. During the pandemic, they faced unexpected and intense workloads and had to quickly adapt to meet the increased demand for care.
A series of studies have explored various aspects of intensive care during the pandemic. The most recently published scientific article describes the experiences of ICU managers. The study reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic forced Swedish intensive care to undergo a dramatic transformation.
"The results clearly emphasize that intensive care units achieved more than anyone could have imagined, but the adaptations came at a high personal and organizational cost. The struggle between demands and resources meant that leaders had to work hard to meet the challenges posed by the pandemic, still they succeeded within intensive care. I quote one of the managers: 'The staff delivered, but it came at a very high cost for the individual,'" says Åsa Engström, Professor at Luleå University of Technology and one of the researchers behind the study.
Anna Nordin from Karlstad University is project manager for the research, and highlights the enormous challenge.
"Nurses from various specialties were recruited to increase capacity and care for an increased number of patients. This required a new administrative structure and coordination seldom seen before."
Doubling low capacity
At the beginning of the pandemic, Sweden had one of the lowest ICU capacities in the Western world. In response to the growing crisis, capacity was doubled by creating temporary ICU departments. However, this restructuring placed significant pressure on both the staff and managers.
"The managers had no one to turn to; they had to motivate staff who were sad, scared, and exhausted to keep working, they were expected to have solutions when there were none, and they worked immensely," says Anna Nordin.
The researchers describe that one of the ICU managers said, "The manager above me is just as exhausted, and I don't think we can support each other either. All of us, even in the leadership, are equally tired."
It was here that the unique role of leadership became most prominent. The lack of preparation and resources created a multitude of challenges, including overworked and anxious employees and an increased risk of infection. Leaders felt that fast communication, presence on the units, clear decision-making, structured prioritization, and mutual trust were crucial factors in handling the crisis as effectively as possible.
Lessons to learn
"To prepare for future challenges, intensive care and the entire healthcare system must incorporate the valuable lessons that the pandemic has taught us. The role of leadership, efficient resource management, and the well-being of the staff must be prioritized to ensure that intensive care is better equipped to face future crises with greater resilience and efficiency," says Maria Andersson from the Red Cross University College.
The researchers behind the study are Anna Nordin, Karlstad University; Åsa Engström, Luleå University of Technology; Maria Andersson, Red Cross University College; and Angelica Fredholm, Karlstad University.
- Intensive Care Managers’ Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Dramatic Change of the Intensive Care Landscape
External link, opens in new window.The article, "Intensive Care Managers’ Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Dramatic Change of the Intensive Care Landscape", is published in Journal of Nursing Management.
Contact
Åsa Engström
- Professor and Head of Subject
- 0920-493875
- asa.engstrom@ltu.se
- Åsa Engström
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