Short and Long-term Measures to Overcome Understaffing in Hospitals

Nationally, across all physician specialties in the United States, there is a projected shortage of 139,940 full-time equivalent (FTE) Physicians.  In the fast-paced world of healthcare, hospitals are constantly battling the critical issue of understaffing—a challenge that has reached unprecedented levels in recent times. Medical professionals are often stretched to their limits and hospitals are feeling the financial impact of staffing shortages.  

Innovative solutions have emerged to tackle this crisis head-on! Hospitals are rising to the occasion by adopting not some but all strategies that bridge the staffing gap. From swift, short-term fixes to robust, long-term solutions, these measures are revolutionizing the way healthcare institutions operate. 

Short-Term Solutions

• Hiring Temporary Staff: Utilize locum tenens, travel nurses, and per diem staff to fill immediate gaps.  

• Overtime and Bonus Incentives: Offer existing staff overtime pay or bonuses to cover additional shifts.

• Timely Recruitment:  Insist that all parties involved with interviewing provider candidates make this a high priority and move interviewees through the process quickly

• Agency Partnerships: For sourcing qualified professionals quickly, partner with boutique recruitment agenciesthat specialize in direct hire of your healthcare clinician needs.

• Flexible Scheduling: Implement flexible work schedules to accommodate the needs of current staff and attract new hires.

• Cross-Training Staff: Wherever possible, train current employees to perform multiple tasks, allowing for more flexibility in staffing.

Long-Term Solutions

• Recruitment Campaigns: Invest in comprehensive recruitment strategies to attract new talent, including offering sign-on bonuses, retention bonuses, relocation assistance, loan and competitive salaries.

• Recruitment Budget:  Set aside a specific recruitment budget for your internal recruiters and a budget for hiring staffing agencies for those immediate and/or tough to fill positions.

• Retention Programs: Develop programs to retain existing staff, such as professional development opportunities, mentorship programs, and employee wellness initiatives.

• Burnout Reduction Program:  Institute programs that incentivize employees to take care of themselves.  

• Educational Partnerships: Collaborate with local nursing schools and medical programs to create a pipeline of new graduates.

• Improving Work Environment: Address issues that contribute to high turnover, such as workload management, providing adequate support staff, and ensuring a positive workplace culture.

• Investing in Technology: Utilize healthcare technology to improve efficiency and reduce the burden on staff, such as electronic health records (EHRs) and telemedicine.

Policy and Advocacy

• Lobby for Legislative Support: Advocate for policies that support healthcare staffing, such as increased funding for nursing education and improved nurse-to-patient ratios.

• Regulatory Changes: Work with regulatory bodies to address barriers to staffing, such as streamlining licensure processes for out-of-state or international professionals.

Innovative Approaches

• Telehealth Expansion: Leverage telehealth to extend the reach of existing staff and provide care remotely.

• Task Shifting: Delegate certain tasks to non-clinical staff or less specialized healthcare workers, freeing up licensed professionals to focus on higher-level care.

• Use of AI and Automation: Implement artificial intelligence and automation to handle administrative tasks, allowing healthcare workers to focus more on patient care.

By combining these strategies and other, hospitals can better manage understaffing challenges and ensure that patient care remains a top priority.  For a partner that can rapidly deploy temporary and permanent hire staff to fill immediate and hard to fill needs, MedSource Consultants will help you ensure that patient care continues without interruption.