Satisfaction with Processes Reduces Workaround Use among Emotionally Exhausted Nurses

Nurses experiencing emotional exhaustion are more likely to use workarounds during the medication administration process, according to the results of a study published in the April-June 2013 issue of Health Care Management Review. The study was conducted among nurses from two acute care hospitals in the midwestern United States using surveys that measured emotional exhaustion (the Maslach Burnout Inventory), the use of workarounds, and nurse satisfaction with medication administration processes. Beyond identifying an association between exhaustion and greater use of workarounds in medication administration, the study also found that when nurses were more satisfied with the medication administration process, those who were exhausted were less likely to engage in workarounds.