Healthcare Staffing Shortages—How Are Companies Handling Them?

It’s safe to say modern America has never been more appreciative of healthcare workers than since the pandemic began. Our healthcare, our lives, really, were (and are) in the hands of these medical professionals and they have been the backbone of this crisis. Now, hospitals, urgent care centers, doctor’s offices, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities across the country are experiencing extreme staffing shortages since the 2020 outbreak of Covid, says US News. Long waiting times for patients, weekend closures, and burnout for current staff has been skyrocketing. The need for healthcare workers has never been greater.

The staffing shortage affects every aspect of healthcare, from pediatric hospitals to nursing homes, and making sure patients get the best care is the most important priority, says the CDC. In their “Strategies to Mitigate Staffing Shortages,” the CDC focuses on adjusting staff schedules, hiring additional HCP (health care professionals), and rotating positions. This includes canceling all non-essential visits and procedures and moving healthcare workers to the areas most needed. They also give guidance on postponing elective time off for healthcare workers but to respond to mental health issues and consider the different responsibilities of each worker.

Burnout

Burnout within the healthcare community runs high these days, and has been the past few years, because of the influx in patients from Covid and the shortage in staffing. Nurses, especially, are leaving because of the stress alone, says Healthcaredive. In a recent survey, more than a third of nurses polled said they were leaving their jobs by the end of the year, said the article. Healthcare systems have tried to entice new hires and current employees by raising compensative rates and have partnered with nursing schools to ensure future staff.

Technology

In a creative effort to off-put the staffing shortage, some healthcare systems have leaned on technology, says US News. They are planning ahead with analytics and data before procedures and having the patients monitor themselves at home. Using this sort of technological tactic helps nurses manage patient care and also manage more patients at the same time, says the article. Other facilities have used cloud-based technologies to better track workflows, stock levels, and product tracking. Streamlining these systems will help create a more efficient and precise healthcare network that serves both professionals and patients.

Healthcare facilities are better equipped now than at the beginning of the pandemic, however, the influx of patients is still daunting, says Politico. Staff members are being pulled from their regular stations to assist with Covid antibody infusions, a labor-intensive process that requires treating immunocompromised patients at separate locations with careful infection control. The patients get the help they need, but where were the staff pulled from, questions the article. It isn’t really a long term solution, but serves as a band-aid for the current crisis.

Healthcare Staffing Agency: Momentum Healthcare Staffing

Momentum is not your average medical staffing firm—we’re a progressive company with new ideas specializing in healthcare staffing. We understand the difficulties regarding the growing cost of healthcare and the increasing demands of clinicians. It’s our goal to be focused and detailed while understanding that every healthcare facility has its own unique needs. Please call our healthcare recruiting specialist to get connected to the perfect person for your open position!

Our country is going through quite a bit of change, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Healthcare facilities, and healthcare workers are doing their best to keep our citizens healthy and out of harm’s way. There is a worry within the healthcare community that this will continue for years to come, however, our country has seen it before and we will see it again: Where there is a will, there is a way.