The State of Healthcare Today
As Regional West and other hospitals nationwide focus on delivering quality, affordable healthcare, staff shortages, supply chain issues, the rising costs of medical supplies, and lowered reimbursement rates are contributing to ever-increasing operational challenges.
Regional West is not alone in financial and staffing challenges. According to the Nebraska Hospital Association, 55% of Nebraska hospitals are currently running in the red financially, facing increased costs of both labor and equipment. A recent article by Becker’s Hospital Review detailed workforce reductions in over 53 hospitals and health systems nationwide, including nearby Monument Health in Rapid City, South Dakota, who recently eliminated 2% of its total workforce. In the majority of hospitals mentioned, the affected jobs are in non-patient care areas.
As a healthcare institution, Regional West is taking steps to operate as efficiently as possible, remain viable, and continue to serve our families, friends, and neighbors for years to come.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians, providers, nurses, and employees at Regional West, along with health systems throughout the nation, remained on the front lines caring for the patients and communities they serve. Fatigue and burnout was the unfortunate consequence, and now, three years later, staff shortages continue to be a reality. In order to be adequately staffed, Regional West was forced to utilize agency workforce; our goal is to reduce contracting with them and rehire local nurses.
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