Denmark’s Randers Regional Hospital boosts knee surgeries by retaining anesthetic nurses

Every Wednesday, the Regional Hospital in Randers, Denmark prioritizes knee surgeries as part of a fast-track program. This approach has allowed them to increase their weekly output from three to four surgeries. The main reason for this increase is the hospital’s success in recruiting and retaining sought-after anesthetic nurses. These are the professionals who monitor and manage essential functions such as breathing and oxygen supply while the patient is under anesthesia.

One patient, Iver Hvidtfeldt, is very pleased with his surgery. “My operation went incredibly well. It’s overwhelming. They are so professional and kind,” he said.

The head nurse and leader of the anesthesia department, Annette Johnsen, also sees a significant benefit for the patients, as the extra knee surgery each week has made a substantial dent in the waiting list.

“We no longer have to cancel patients because we don’t have enough anesthetic nurses, which is a wonderful feeling,” she said.

According to anesthetic nurse and union representative Fatima Krogsgaard Skov, the hospital’s ability to maintain a sufficient number of anesthetic nurses is due in part to a positive work environment and good leadership. She explained that the typical vicious cycle of work pressure, unfilled positions, sick leave, postponed surgeries, waiting lists, increased pressure, and more absences has been broken at the Randers Regional Hospital.

“When the foundation is in order, we can build on it and prioritize what matters in being a good workplace,” she said.

The hospital also prioritizes work-life balance, ensuring that professional and personal lives can coexist despite changing shifts.

“We have a great leadership team that supports us and makes sure that work and personal life can coexist despite changing shifts,” Skov explained.

Aside from the benefits to the staff and patients, the increased surgeries are also good for the hospital’s bottom line, said chief doctor of orthopedic surgery, Michael Tjørnild.

“We use our most experienced staff with very well-defined cooperation agreements, and with a little extra effort, we can get 33% more through,” he said.

According to Tjørnild, the total cost of the extra surgeries, including additional staff, is cheaper than if they had sent patients to a private hospital. The hospital predicts that by 2024, they will be able to perform 180 more artificial knee and hip surgeries than previously expected.