Jamie Smith
Media Relations
Email: jamie.smith@molnlycke.com
Phone: +46 723 757507
High burnout among operating room staff poses significant risk to patient safety—new review reveals
Gothenburg, Sweden. 17 September 2025. A new narrative review published in the current issue of Journal of Patient Safety, titled ’Putting Patients at Risk: The Effect of Health Care Provider Burnout on Patient Care in the Operating Room’ reveals alarmingly high levels of burnout among healthcare workers in operating rooms (ORs) and warns of the serious implications for staff well-being, care quality and ultimately patient safety.
The review analysed over 60 studies from 23 countries and found that burnout among operating room staff was widespread, with reported prevalence ranging from 10% to 83%, with surgeons, anaesthesiologists and OR nurses being particularly impacted.1
Burnout, characterised by emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and reduced personal accomplishment, was shown to be more than an individual issue.1 It arises alongside systematic pressures such as heavy workloads, high-stakes environments and complex team dynamics that strain healthcare professionals on a daily basis.
The authors highlight that burnout significantly compromises healthcare quality and safety, primarily through communication breakdowns and operational inefficiencies. Impaired communication was shown to contribute to safety incidents, while disruptions in operating room scheduling and increased turnover times further exacerbated workflow challenges.
Although few studies in the review directly link burnout to patient safety incidents, the evidence consistently associated burnout with poor decision-making, weakened teamwork and elevated staff turnover—factors that collectively undermine patient outcomes.
Emma Wright, Chief Medical Officer at Mölnlycke, says, “This review is a wake-up call. If we’re serious about building sustainable healthcare systems, we must address the root causes of burnout in the operating room. Protecting the mental and physical wellbeing of healthcare providers is essential for patient safety, care quality and long-term system resilience, which is why at Mölnlycke we are determined to improve the quality of life not only for patients, but also for the people who care for them.”
The authors emphasise that effectively addressing burnout among operating room staff demands a comprehensive, multifaceted strategy. This includes strengthening training programmes, optimising workloads, and establishing robust support systems. By implementing tailored, context-sensitive interventions, healthcare institutions can significantly enhance staff resilience and, in turn, improve patient safety and care quality.
The narrative review was led by Dr. Juan Antonio Hueto Madrid from Vall D’Hebron Hospital, Barcelona, and funded by Mölnlycke Health Care.
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References
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1. Putting Patients at Risk: The Effect of Health Care Provider Burnout on Patient Care in the Operating Room. A narrative Review. Hueto Madrid et al. Journal of Patient Safety. DOI: 10.1097/PTS.0000000000001369