Today, there simply are not enough nurses and other healthcare providers to care for the people who will need support and resources in the next five to 10 years.
The combination of clinician burnout, the “great resignation” and Covid-19 has only compounded the issue. Factor in a slower economy coming out of the pandemic and unrest in Europe, and the macroeconomic environment is less than supportive.
What does this mean to the healthcare system and to patients–particularly those who are ready to leave the hospital and move home or to their next site of care? Many skilled nursing facilities also are short-staffed, so patients cannot always transition out of the hospital in a timely manner. When patients stay longer than expected because there is no safe handoff, the result can be significant financial stress.
When patients stay longer than expected because there is no safe handoff, the result can be significant financial stress.
To change this dynamic, the entire system needs to operate like a high-functioning supply chain that supports the safe movement of people from the hospital back into the home and community. This is especially important in the context of enabling more home-based care.
Healthcare organizations are painfully aware of waste and, naturally, have been focused on making the most of their resources. However, when you consider the scope of current influences and the impact of the pandemic, a fresh approach is warranted.
