November 15, 2021
Perspectives on health policy affecting America’s hospitals and the patients we serve.
Hospital Workforce Crisis: How It Affects Patient Care
NOVEMBER 15, 2021
Workforce shortages are impacting industries and communities across America as the country rebuilds from the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Without a doubt, this workforce crisis is most acutely felt by our nation’s hospitals and frontline health care providers. As responsive as our health care system has been in addressing the pandemic and ensuring all who come through our doors receive lifesaving care, the shortage of qualified health care workers is threatening access and impeding hospitals’ ability to respond to the pandemic and prepare for the next emergency around the corner.
Over the past two years, the resiliency of America’s health care workforce has been tested to its limits. Because of this stress, hospitals are seeing unprecedented frontline worker burnout and record retirement among veteran caretakers. As hospitals attempt to reinforce gaps in the provider workforce, there is a growing need for adequately trained workers to fill long vacant and newly open positions. Hospitals have been doing our part to support and recruit employees, but federal action is critical.
