Addressing burnout and fatigue in surgical services: Leveraging external partnerships and institutional support

Burnout and fatigue are significant challenges in healthcare, especially within our surgical services. Our remote location, frequent leadership turnover, chronic understaffing, and misalignment between operating room hours and community needs have led to excessive overtime, exhaustion, and sick leave. A sustainability plan was co-developed with stakeholders. The plan addresses human factors through department stabilization, expanded operating hours, increased baseline staffing, and training via a partnership with the Association of periOperative Registered Nurse perioperative certification program. The plan was assessed using a project analysis approach. Our objective is to demonstrate how institutional support and partnerships can reduce burnout and fatigue in surgical services. This article offers practical lessons for health leaders and other professionals seeking sustainable solutions. Six-month review showed a substantial decrease in overtime among operating room nurses and a reduction in agency nurse use. Leveraging institutional supports supported a more sustainable work-life balance and reduced burnout.