Cost Analysis of Providing Overtime to Current Nurses Versus Hiring a Dedicated Nurse for COVID-19 Management in a Processing Plant. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Naylor, Jennifer; Gillespie, Gordon Lee; Betcher, Cynthia; Orr, C. Edward
• Is Part Of: Workplace health & safety. Volume 70:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 24
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: occupational health nursing -- pandemic -- cost analysis -- dedicated COVID-19 nurse -- nurse burnout; Industrial nursing -- Periodicals; 610.734605
• DOI: 10.1177/21650799211027868
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2165-0799

Abstract

Background: U.S. meat and poultry processing workers experienced a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 illness following the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Managing prevention and surveillance activities for COVID-19 prevention required additional work for occupational health nurses. The purpose of this project was to conduct a cost analysis for two staffing options to address the increased workload for occupational health nurses. Methods: An economic quality improvement design was used for this study. The project was performed at a meat and poultry processing plant with 1, 800 employees and six occupational health nurses. Two staffing options were considered. Option 1 was to continue to pay current occupational health nurses overtime, and Option 2 was to hire a COVID-dedicated nurse to manage the increased workload. A cost analysis was conducted for wages per hour plus benefits at three time points: 3 months, 1 year, and 3 years. Findings: Costs for Option 1 (continuing overtime) at 3 months, 1 year, and 3 years were estimated at US$27, 370, US$109, 517, and US$328, 550, respectively. Costs for Option 2 (hiring a COVID-dedicated nurse) at 3 months, 1 year, and 3 years were estimated at US$44, 279, US$94, 979, and US$230, 179, respectively. Conclusions/Application to Practice: Hiring a dedicated COVID nurse would save the processing plant extensive salary costs by Year 3. Reducing overtime had the potential to decrease the COVID-19-related workload and potential experiences of fatigue and burnout in occupational health nurses.