Tips for finding last-minute emergency staffing solutions

In the fast-paced environment of healthcare, the ability to swiftly adapt to staffing shortages is critical. Emergency staffing solutions are not just a stopgap but a vital component of maintaining patient care standards amidst unforeseen challenges. Last year alone, 139.8 million people were seen in emergency rooms around the country – the need for high-quality staffing and flexible last-minute role-fills is crucial. 

Hospital HR and unit leaders are all too familiar with the complexity of these decisions, which must balance cost, quality, availability, and proximity. In this blog, we’ll explore the nuances of these considerations to help guide informed staffing decisions that support both patient care and the institution's operational integrity.

Let’s first discuss the critical issue of emergency staffing trends in the U.S.

Why are emergency staffing solutions so desperately needed across the United States?

The healthcare staffing crisis has manifested itself in a particularly alarming manner across critical hospital wards, with emergency rooms being some of the hardest hit. 

A recent Time Magazine article paints a stark picture, stating: "This burgeoning crisis has greatly affected the bottom line of healthcare facilities, with many of the country’s leading hospital centers posting massive losses. Institutions were already operating at the margins before 2020, but the pandemic only increased demands from facilities while also producing skyrocketing expenses. Even more detrimental to the public is the closing of smaller hospitals and community-based clinics, especially in rural and underserved areas. These centers had even less financial buffer to survive through financial hardship. This trend has created health care deserts, significantly impacting maternal care and emergency medicine, among other critical areas of patient care." 

The reverberations of this crisis are felt deeply, with emergency departments, often the front line of medical care, facing severe understaffing. This reality not only strains the resources of healthcare facilities but also jeopardizes the timely and quality care that patients in acute distress depend upon.

What is causing the healthcare staffing crisis nationwide? Why are ERs some of the hardest hit?

The healthcare staffing crisis gripping the nation is a multifaceted problem fueled by a confluence of factors. A significant cause is burnout among healthcare professionals, exacerbated by the prolonged and intense pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coupled with an aging population requiring more care and many patients not having a primary care doctor to rely on, there's been an unprecedented surge in demand for healthcare services. This has led to a huge drain on emergency room resources, taking away from emergent patient needs.

Furthermore, a shortfall in medical education and training slots has bottlenecked the supply of new clinicians entering the field. Emergency rooms are particularly vulnerable and have been hardest hit due to their role as critical entry points for immediate care. They require a high number of staff members to be operational around the clock, including a diverse mix of specialists who can respond to any medical emergency at any time. This constant demand for high-intensity care and the unpredictable nature of emergencies contribute to higher stress levels, which can lead to increased turnover and further exacerbate staffing shortages. The result is a vicious cycle where the pressures on existing staff are magnified, and attracting new talent becomes even more challenging.

This issue is why it’s so important for health systems to be creative and strategic in finding emergency staffing solutions. 

5 priorities for last-minute emergency staffing solutions

After handling emergency staffing needs for many years, we’ve homed in on four priorities to consider that help HR and unit leaders identify the best possible solutions when faced with a last-minute call out in the ER. 

These priorities are:

1. Balancing financial viability with care delivery

When an emergency staffing need arises, the first instinct may be to find the most cost-effective solution. However, it's essential to consider the broader implications of cost savings. The reality of costs is that there's often a direct correlation between what you pay for staffing services and the quality of care provided. The dangers of cost-cutting can be stark, ranging from the increased likelihood of malpractice to compromised patient safety. 

Achieving cost efficiency, then, means finding a middle ground – where the care provided justifies the expenditure without straining hospital finances.

2. Ensuring top-notch patient care

The quality of locum tenens and other temporary staff can vary significantly, leading to hesitancy among administrators to rely on them. There's a myth that locums are often those unable to secure permanent positions, which casts doubt on their competence. However, this is only part of the picture. Quality physicians may choose locum work for its flexibility and breadth of experience. Identifying quality requires robust vetting processes and clear standards, which can be done by having the right understanding of a hospital or health system’s unique needs. By prioritizing quality, hospitals can ensure that even in emergencies, patient care remains in the hands of capable professionals.

3. The importance of reachability and credibility

Emergency staffing isn't just about filling a spot; it's about filling it quickly with someone who can hit the ground running. The cost of last-minute reachability – securing a professional at short notice – can be high. This is where the importance of having a pre-credentialed pool of professionals becomes evident. By building a reliable network with staffing companies that offer such resources, hospitals can mitigate the risks associated with urgent staffing needs and ensure that those brought in are ready to deliver quality care immediately. 

Remember, not all staffing companies are created equally - a good staffing agency will have pre-vetted staff that are familiar with the health system they’re working within. Ensure you have an open and honest relationship with your choice of agency so that you get the best of the best coming through your doors. 

4. Proximity leading to flexible options

The logistical simplicity of having staff nearby cannot be overstated. Proximity offers staffing flexibility and can significantly reduce costs associated with last-minute staffing needs. Rate implications are real; the further away the staff member is, the higher the cost – not just in monetary terms but also in time lost. Hospitals can address this by developing strategies to maintain a roster of professionals within a reasonable distance, ensuring that travel time and associated delays do not impact the timely delivery of patient care. Ideally you’d work with an agency that has pre-vetted healthcare professionals that live within 90 minutes of your location. 

5. Finding the right staffing support partner

Staffing companies can be invaluable partners in addressing emergency staffing needs, yet they often face skepticism from healthcare institutions. Debunking myths and understanding the reality of what these companies offer is the first step in building trust. A successful partnership with a staffing company can improve patient care, financial stability, and administrative efficiency – a mutual benefit that's too significant to overlook.

Understanding Em-Staff’s unique approach to emergency staffing solutions

Unlike traditional agencies, Em-Staff stands out by prioritizing a local pool model that ensures proximity and reduces response times significantly. With an emphasis on last-minute availability, Em-Staff has curated a network of pre-credentialed professionals, ready to serve at a moment's notice. This model not only circumvents the steep costs associated with urgent locum tenens but also guarantees a level of quality that is consistent and reliable. Em-Staff's innovative staffing approach provides a balanced solution that doesn’t compromise on cost, quality, or availability, setting a new benchmark for emergency staffing solutions in healthcare.

Prioritize your emergency staffing solutions strategy today!

Emergency staffing solutions are an intricate puzzle, requiring thoughtful consideration of cost, quality, availability, and proximity. By addressing each of these elements with intention and strategy, HR and unit leaders can effectively manage their workforce to meet the demands of patient care in any circumstance. Let's prioritize these aspects in staffing decisions to not only uphold but elevate the standards of care that patients deserve and expect.

Are you curious to learn more about Em-Staff's innovative approach? We encourage both health systems and providers to get in touch.*

*We currently support New England’s healthcare staffing needs and hope to expand our footprint and offerings in the future.