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BRATISLAVA, 16 September 2025 – According to the WHO, up to 84% of healthcare workers regularly experience significant physical and mental fatigue. One in three healthcare workers admits that fatigue and exhaustion affect the quality of their decision-making processes. Exhaustion reduces concentration and can lead to minor errors, but also to serious medical malpractice. Fatigue and its consequences also affect healthcare personnel in Slovakia, where this topic is still taboo. That is why the civic association, in cooperation with the European Foundation for Patient Safety (EUPSF), is launching an awareness campaign on World Patient Safety Day (17 September) called "Exhausted? Together against fatigue! Healthcare professionals are people too." Its aim is to open a public discussion on healthcare workers' fatigue as a key factor affecting the quality and safety of healthcare. The outcome of this discussion should be a proposal for concrete steps to improve the working conditions of healthcare workers in Slovakia.

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Fatigue is a warning sign

The fatigue and exhaustion of healthcare workers are not just an individual problem, but are increasingly affecting the entire healthcare system. Long shifts, excessive workloads, lack of rest and the psychological demands of the profession are factors that affect the quality of care provided, patient safety and, ultimately, the health of healthcare professionals themselves. Failure to address this situation will take its toll in the form of more frequent sick leave, which costs Slovakia approximately €150 to €170 million annually.  "The situation is further complicated by the fact that the country is short of more than 14,000 nurses. A smaller number of healthcare professionals automatically have to cope with a greater amount of work, which leads to further overwork among healthcare staff. The result is that they leave the system or take early retirement. This affects every second nurse," explains František Naňo, chairman of the Section of Nurses Working in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, SK SaPA. 

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The consequences of healthcare workers' fatigue are calculated in millions of euros 

The shortage of healthcare workers and their chronic overload lead to reduced access to healthcare. Patients wait longer for examinations and surgical procedures, which also increases the pressure on existing staff, who have to cope with a growing number of patients on a daily basis, but with limited personnel capacities.  "Chronic fatigue reduces doctors' readiness to deal with unexpected situations and sudden complications, prolongs reaction time and increases the risk of misjudgement and incorrect procedures. In addition, exhausted healthcare professionals lack the empathy and patience to communicate adequately with patients, which is a frequent source of dissatisfaction among patients and their loved ones. Last but not least, chronic fatigue disrupts the mechanisms of mental hygiene and active relaxation and triggers a vicious circle of frustration that ends in complete burnout and resignation from work," explains Andrea Letanovská, head of the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care at NOÚ. 

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Slovakia still lacks a unified strategy for monitoring safe patient care, and reporting errors is stigmatised. Healthcare professionals fear losing their jobs, and there are no systems or support programmes in place to systematically address their fatigue and exhaustion. "Fatigue must not be tolerated as a 'normal' part of working in healthcare. It must be addressed transparently, professionally and systematically. Only then will it be possible to change healthcare, not only for those who work in it, but also for those who rely on it every day," says Zuzana Katreniaková, assistant professor at the Institute of Social and Behavioural Medicine at UPJŠ LF. She adds that "healthcare workers should not be heroes who burn out in silence. We must stop silently tolerating fatigue – and start addressing it openly, collectively and courageously."

"Burnout is not a weakness of the individual, but a reflection of the system. If we want to keep healthcare functioning, we must protect those who keep it afloat every day," says Dr. Denisa Osinová, who has experienced exhaustion combined with burnout first-hand. "Exhausted healthcare professionals cannot be the force that holds healthcare together. If we want to protect patients, we must also protect those who care for them." "Exhausted healthcare professionals cannot be the force that holds healthcare together. If we want to protect patients, we must also protect those who care for them," emphasised Mirka Čikelová, the campaign's expert guarantor.

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The topic of fatigue in healthcare is addressed by the campaign "Exhausted? Together against fatigue."  

That is why the civic association, in cooperation with the European Foundation for Patient Safety (EUPSF), is launching an awareness campaign called "Exhausted? Together against fatigue!" Its aim is to open a discussion about fatigue as a legitimate topic in healthcare, to strengthen the culture of safety and care not only for patients but also for healthcare professionals, to actively educate about fatigue, its consequences and stress management, and to create a system of support and care for healthcare professionals. Campaign leader Martina Antošová has also experienced fatigue and burnout. "For almost 20 years, I gave my all to healthcare. I know what it's like when a person is literally falling apart from fatigue, and it scares me how this effect is also evident in Slovak healthcare. Healthcare professionals take care of the most precious thing we have, our health and our lives. But who takes care of them? For years, I have watched as we try to solve their exhaustion with money alone, but they need more – respect, understanding and a change in the system. Healing our healthcare system starts with helping healthcare workers. We must focus on their fatigue as a cry for help that deserves our response," she explains the motives behind launching the campaign.

"We call on healthcare facilities, professional organisations, patient associations, the media and all citizens to join the initiative Exhausted? Together Against Fatigue! initiative and support measures that will lead to a healthier and safer working environment for healthcare workers, higher quality and safety of care, sustainable and more humane healthcare, and a society that values and protects its healthcare workers," concludes Miroslava Čikkelová, Secretary General of the European Foundation for Patient Safety (EUPSF).

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Memorandum 

Not only entities operating in the healthcare sector, higher territorial units, patient organisations, professional associations and organisations, but also individuals can join in supporting this initiative. The memorandum and further information about the campaign are available at www.spoluprotiunave.sk.