Adequate healthcare staffing is critical to the well-being of patients.
Many industries have undergone labor shortages. The medical field is no exception.
Adequate healthcare staffing is critical to the well-being of patients. But many hospitals and medical offices are struggling in this area. Hospitals are shutting down departments.
Some hospitals even face closing their doors for good.
Thirteen hospitals have already chosen to close certain departments to meet financial demand for staffing concerns and address other in-demand needs.
All this boils down to one fact: COVID-19 and supply shortages are no longer the primary concern for hospitals. It’s labor shortages.
Learn more about why we started and where we’re going.
Staffing: The New Issue for Healthcare Facilities
Nurses and doctors are waving goodbye with no interest in returning amid the relentless pandemic. The U.S. healthcare labor market expects to endure labor shortages over the next five to ten years without resistance.
This is where many states run into trouble.
Healthcare trends predict that by 2026, 6.5 million employees will permanently leave their positions. Only 1.9 million people are expected to fill those roles.
Of all 50 states, New York and California will suffer the most significant labor shortage. By 2026, both states expect to fall short by about 500,000 people.
If that wasn’t enough, baby boomers are in their retirement years, placing more strain on senior living and hospitals. Labor shortage is at the low-wage end of the spectrum, limiting people’s access to home care.
This is a lot to take in. Although we have struggled and prevailed through the pandemic, one thing is certain- our healthcare market has changed forever because of it.
RELATED: Find out if Optimed is in your area
The constant battle against COVID-19 with patient-to-nurse staffing challenges has resulted in burnout.
Why is Staffing an Issue in Healthcare?
Staffing is an issue in healthcare in 2022 for one main reason: chronic stress.
In the last couple of years, healthcare workers have experienced challenges that seemed insurmountable at one point.
Hospitals dealt with low access to PPE for frontline workers and respirators for ICU patients. Not to mention the non-covid related emergency cases.
The constant battle against COVID-19 with patient-to-nurse staffing challenges has resulted in burnout.
But it’s not only hospitals dealing with labor shortages. Healthcare facilities everywhere see physicians and nurses retire early or change careers entirely.
Some employees change careers because they opt out of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Many other nurses insist on higher pay to meet their labor demand and compensate for worker fatigue. But not all healthcare facilities can pay what they request or what is offered to them by another facility. So, they leave.
Those that remain are exhausted, resulting in more turnovers and staff shortages.
If you’re a healthcare worker, then you’re aware of this vicious cycle that so many medical offices live through day in and day out.
Healthcare is known for experiencing labor shortages. No one can honestly plan for local disasters or worldwide pandemics.
However, medical offices can take small steps to improve the lives of their workers. Today, we’re discussing a few of our ideas to help hospitals fill the gap.
RELATED: Meet the leadership team behind Optimed
Analyze your current staff member and patient ratio.
How To Improve Healthcare Staffing
The good news is that we can plan accordingly with this information we have about the market. Hospital employers need to think creatively to combat many labor shortages in the next decade.
Let’s talk about six ways medical offices can strengthen their staffing.
Assess Staffing and Resident Ratio
Start with step one and analyze your current staff members and patients ratio. Ask where your patients are located in the facility— place staff members where they are most needed.
You also need to consider schedule changes when determining staff placement. How long will certain employees work?
This is also where you assess what is detrimental and what can be ignored for now.
Place Staff In Different Departments
Think outside the box. Consider licensed employees that can work in many departments, not just one. How can you utilize their skills in ways you haven’t done yet?
You can go beyond nursing staff in this area. Are there staff members that can assist with tasks not related to hands-on care?
Utilize Non-licensed Staff
In addition to using licensed employees, think about your non-licensed staff members. Identify who you can cross-train within federal and state regulations.
Depending on your area, you can also utilize displaced or furloughed workers as supplemental support.
Remember that if the President declares a state of emergency, you can employ non-licensed staff members to perform tasks until the end of the crisis.
Offer Incentives
Offering incentives enhances your hiring chances. It also enriches employee work experience. Every medical office differs in what they can offer their staff. This is another area where you can get creative.
Some ideas include:
- Increased pay
- Food and gas cards
- Flexible schedules
- Free subscription services
- Gym memberships
- Added vacation time
- Double pay
- House cleaning
- Office parties
- Public recognition
Utilize Technology
Use technology to enhance communication and complete tasks. Talk to the EHR (electronic health record) software company about making processes easier for all staff members.
Other medical technology like automated IV pumps, portable monitors, and telemedicine can help free up your time as a medical worker and focus on urgent needs.
Consider Non-traditional Recruitment
Consider all your options when hiring help in your facility. Using places like job boards and recruitment offices are all fine. But think about non-traditional recruitment strategies like Optimed.
Also, use social media to your advantage and increase your exposure. This is not only great for recruitment, but it’s excellent marketing for the office in general.
RELATED: Why we do what we do matters
Final Thoughts
Filling the gap of labor shortages is tough. It’s unsettling to think about how much work we have ahead of ourselves.
The good news is that we’re already ahead of the game by preparing now.
Optimed can help. We provide in-patient and out-patient care to over 14 medical facilities in North Carolina. We commit to providing extraordinary care using our 36 medical providers on staff.
Let us help your facility succeed!
Looking for a hospitalist to fill the gap? We can help! Contact us today.