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Hospitalists report patient loads often exceed safe levels

Self-reported data from more than 500 hospitalists indicated that clinical workloads often exceeded safe levels, according to recent results.

According to the Johns Hopkins University research, 40% of physicians reported excess patient loads at least monthly, and 36% reported excess patient loads more than once a week. In addition, 22% of surveyed hospitalists reported that their average workload prompted them to order “potentially unnecessary tests, procedures, or consults because of not having adequate time to evaluate patients in person.”

Henry J. Michtalik

The self-identified hospitalists — part of an online mobile physician community, QuantiaMD.com — were electronically surveyed during November 2010. Respondents’ average age was 38.3 years, with 6 years median time in practice. Primary practice settings were 46.4% urban or 42.5% suburban in 54% community or 27.9% academic hospitals.

Standard daytime shifts were evaluated, with workload defined as patient encounters per shift, and a safe workload defined as one that offered “minimal potential for error or harm.” Hospitalists reported that they could safely see 15 patients per shift, assuming 100% of their effort was clinical.

“Over 20% reported that their average workload likely contributed to patient transfers, morbidity, or even mortality,” the researchers wrote.

Disclosure: See the study for a full list of relevant disclosures.