How Can Staffing Shortages Impact Patient Care and Facility Operations?
As healthcare facilities across the U.S. are being forced to expand due to growing numbers of patients, it’s no surprise that many employers are increasingly experiencing staffing shortages. Organizations that proactively take steps to maintain staffing levels are generally more resilient to the harmful effects of these shortages. If your facility is at risk of a staffing shortage, here are some areas of your practice that may be impacted:
Patient satisfaction.
Patient satisfaction is arguably one of the first things to be adversely affected by poor staffing. Long wait times and decreased appointment capacity can contribute to a negative patient experience, especially over the course of several months. If you run a facility with a growing patient volume, it’s essential that more providers are brought in to accommodate a greater patient caseload. Investing in temporary staffing solutions can prevent shortages from having detrimental effects on all aspects of patient care – from administrative scheduling to the quality of medical services.
Staff retention.
In addition to patients, existing staff can be heavily affected by staffing shortages. When current providers and personnel feel overwhelmed, they are more likely to become burned out and inclined to look for positions elsewhere. Utilizing professional staffing services can provide much-needed support to your team when they need it most. For example, in the case of an unexpected vacancy, you may consider hiring an interim provider to maintain a patient caseload while your internal hiring team works on finding a full-time replacement. Temporary staffing support ensures your facility can continue functioning at an optimal level with minimal disturbances.
Reduced bottom line.
When a shortage strikes, a facility’s bottom line can take a hit in a multitude of ways. As discussed in the above points, poor patient satisfaction and lowered staff retention can cause financial stress on an organization. There are always costs involved in hiring new staff and acquiring new patients. These acquisition costs (such as onboarding expenses and patient advertising) can ultimately wreak havoc on your bottom line and create financial instability if not addressed in a timely manner.
Many facilities discover that healthcare staffing firms play a major role in combatting the impact of staffing shortages. At Alerion, we understand the cost of inadequate staffing and are committed to mitigating these challenges for our clients.