Healthcare staffing is going through a crisis right now, with many facilities struggling to have enough staff to cover all of their needs. This is especially evident when healthcare facilities try to grow, but it can happen at any time. It is crucial for healthcare facilities to make sure they optimize their staffing to ensure patients receive the care they need each time they come in.
Why Is There a Staffing Problem?
Before looking at healthcare staffing solutions, it’s a good idea to consider why there’s an issue with staffing in the first place. Many facilities are facing staff shortages because of healthcare burnout, fewer graduates that fit hiring requirements, and related concerns. It is crucial to get an idea of the exact reason for the staffing problem, as this can make it easier to find a solution that’s going to work. There are common themes behind staffing shortages today, but each facility is different and must look into why they are having a staffing problem to be able to know how to solve it.
How Does This Impact Patients?
Why are staffing shortages such a problem? It’s not just that patients may need to wait longer for care. They may not be able to make an appointment, as the schedules could be full for the next few months. On top of that, if they are able to make an appointment, they may wait hours before being seen, even if they arrive on time. When they are seen, they are rushed through the visit because there just isn’t enough time to go into detail about what they need.
With delayed care and rushed care when they can get a visit, patients don’t get the full care they need whenever they need to visit a doctor. They might not have the chance to ask questions that could impact their health and they may not be likely to schedule a follow-up visit if they believe it’ll be months before they’re seen again. They may also be worried about follow-ups with specialists and hesitant to call to make an appointment.
This leads to patients not receiving the care they need, not being able to get help in a timely manner, and not feeling like they’re in control of their health. When staffing solutions are implemented and there is a full staff for the facility, patients can receive much better care and have time to speak with the staff about their needs. They’ll feel more in control of their own health, be more willing to schedule a visit, and won’t have to worry about long waits or waiting for a long time to get answers.
Look Into Staffing Solutions
It is a good idea to look into staffing solutions to help in the short term. While it can be hard to find the right employee, by taking advantage of staffing solutions, it’s easier to find people to help right now as well as to look for someone to fill a permanent position. Staffing solutions are available to help many different kinds of healthcare facilities find the employees they need to make sure they are fully staffed. It is recommended to work with a staffing agency to get the help needed to fill any gaps or shortages right away to continue to improve the facility and patient care.
Look at Best Practices Again
It is a good idea to get back to the basics and look into best practices for staffing to see if everything is being done correctly or if there’s anything that needs to be changed. If the hiring process hasn’t been updated in years, it might be time to think about how new people are hired and look into ways to update it so that it can help to bring in the right staff for the facility. If there are outdated rules or regulations for employees that may be causing issues, it might be time to revisit them to find more modern solutions.
Ask and Listen
Talk to the employees. They know why people are leaving, what is causing problems that can lead to a staff shortage, and what needs to change to help not only hire new employees but to improve retention, too. When asking them about the issues they face or what can be done to help alleviate the staffing shortage, be prepared to really listen to the employees and see what ideas can be implemented to start making changes. If employees know their ideas are being considered, they’ll be more willing to talk about what they see and hear, which can make it easier to determine what’s wrong and what needs to be fixed.
Take a Step Back to See the Whole Picture
It can be hard to see what’s going on for someone who works there and handles a lot during the day. It’s often easier to see potential problems by taking a step back and looking at the whole picture. Is employee burnout contributing to staffing concerns? Are employees leaving because of staffing issues or is it harder than it used to be to find the right employees to improve staff-to-patient ratios? Taking a step back makes it easier to see the root of the problem and start to look for solutions.
Invest in Training
Don’t forget to invest in training for employees to help them improve their careers and move up the ladder. Employees are more likely to stay if they’ve received the training they need for their jobs and have the possibility of improving their careers in the long run. Look into training options to make sure staff members have what they need for their jobs.
If your healthcare facility is suffering from staffing shortages and other issues, it’s important to take the time to assess the root of the problems and see what can be done to fix them. While they might not be fixed fast, staffing solutions can provide additional help through short-term and long-term staffing assignments. Look into the options today to see what can help your healthcare facility deal with the staffing crisis.
