LAUSR

Learning Objectives: Burnout syndrome (BOS) is especially common in individuals who care for critically ill patients. BOS is associated with decreased well-being among nursing staff members, decreased quality of care, and costs related to absenteeism and high turnover, all of which have particularly devastating consequences in the intensive care unit. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey of critical care nurses across the medical, surgical, cardiac, and neurosurgery intensive care unit (ICU) at Bellevue Hospital, a large, academic, urban medical center in New York. Burnout was measured using the Abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory, consisting of three subscales: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. All items were scored on a seven-point rating scale (0 = never, 6 = every day). High levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and a low level of personal accomplishment are indicative of burnout. Results: 49 total nurses responded to the questionnaire. Emotional exhaustion was highest amongst MICU nurses (3.10), while it was lower in the CCU (2.98), NSICU (2.67), and lowest in the SICU (2.25) (Figure 1). Depersonalization was highest in the MICU (0.88), lower in CCU (0.79), SICU (0.64), and NSICU (0.30). Personal accomplishment was highest in the SICU (5.25), with lower levels in the CCU (4.85), MICU (4.21), and NSICU (3.80). Satisfaction with medicine was highest in the SICU (5.33), and lower in the NSICU (5.10), CCU (4.62), and lowest in the MICU (4.21). Conclusions: Variations in incidence of burnout is evident across different ICUs. In our center, MICU nurses exhibited higher levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, while personal accomplishment and satisfaction with medicine ranked lower when compared to the other ICUs. Indicators of burnout were least prevalent in the SICU, with high rates of personal accomplishment and satisfaction and low rates of emotional exhaustion. CCMCritical Care MedicineCrit Care Med0090-3493Lippincott Williams & WilkinsHagerstown, MDCCM