Enhancing Healthcare Worker Well-Being and Patient Safety in the Pediatric Emergency Department: A Comprehensive Hazard and Risk Analysis

Abstract

Providing a healthy and safe hospital environment improves employee health and prevents occupational diseases and accidents. This increases the motivation and productivity of employees and contributes to the improvement of service quality in hospitals. Healthcare workers have to work meticulously to provide accurate diagnosis, treatment and care services while competing with time. Working under pressure can cause fatigue, stress and burnout in healthcare workers. This can affect their decision-making abilities and lead to malpractice. Errors can cause occupational accidents or occupational diseases, while misunderstanding or misapplication can cause serious damage to the patient's health. In this study, hazards and risks were identified in order to ensure that employees working in the pediatric emergency department of the hospital work in a healthier and safer environment. Fine Kinney method was used as a risk analysis method in the study. It was observed that the high rate (86.7%) of employees' inability to participate in social and cultural activities (86.7%) due to occupational fatigue caused a decrease in the desire to work (70%), as well as the intense feelings of burnout and frustration (70%) caused by stress caused by the profession. As a result of the challenging conditions experienced, it was determined that the desire not to see patients during the day (76.7%) and dissatisfaction increased (46.6%). Healthcare workers need to be vigilant and careful, and occupational health and safety initiatives should be carried out systematically, team-based, and education-focused.