70 Percent of U.S. Hospitals Say Staffing a Priority Issue; Up From Less Than 25% in 2009

• Medical staffing firm AMN Healthcare surveyed American hospitals about their medical staff openings.
• The results indicate that at least some portions of the healthcare system face difficulty staying sufficiently staffed.  The staffing challenges come at a time when the health system is in transition.
• “We are expanding access to healthcare and restructuring the delivery system to improve quality and reduce costs at the precise moment when a wave of physicians and nurses is set to retire,” AMN’s CEO said.  “It will take new, collaborative and innovative staffing models to ensure our workforce is aligned with the goals we all want to reach.”

Respondents report that open jobs for doctors and nurses have jumped over the past four years.

• Hospitals report a 17.6 percent job vacancy rate for staff doctors in 2013.  That’s higher than the 10.7 percent rate in 2009.
• For nurses, openings stand at 17 percent, versus a 5.5 percent vacancy rate four years ago.
• Allied health professionals’ open job rate stands at 13.3 percent, well above the 2009 rate of 4.6 percent.
• Today, more than 70 percent of respondents list medical staffing as a top priority.  Fewer than a quarter of 2009 respondents regarded staffing as a high priority.

Changes coming in healthcare could strain human resources at hospitals, clinics and other places where patient seek medical care.  Healthcare Leadership Council member companies are examining a host of issues affecting the current and future healthcare workforce.

•  The survey found about two-thirds responding that newly insured patients will raise the demand for more doctors.  Slightly fewer think expanded health coverage will pressure the need for more nurses.  And more than half say extended coverage will mean more nurse practitioner and physician assistants are required.
• The health reform law is expected to increase the number of Americans with health insurance by millions.  Obtaining insurance coverage typically leads to greater use of medical services.
• New models for serving patients, emphasizing prevention and accountable care, are coming on line.  The goal is to manage patient care more actively and in less expensive settings.  These include accountable care organizations and medical homes.
• “No matter what models of care are in place, it takes physician, nurses and other clinicians to provide quality patient care, and the fact is we simply do not have enough of them,” AMN’s chief executive said.