Announcements
 

A STATEWIDE SOLUTION
TO THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE:

Results from a January 2003 survey conducted by the American College of Healthcare Executives disclosed the severity of the workforce challenge. Agency or temporary staff was cited by 90% of responding CEOs as the most significant factor in rising healthcare costs. In addition, 85% cited reducing reliance on agency utilization or temporary staff as the most effective strategy in containing healthcare costs.

Agency utilization is estimated at over $65,000,000 for Louisiana hospitals. The workforce challenge and associated costs are easy to identify and document. Numerous studies show direct correlations between shortages and turnovers, lost revenues, increased costs per adjusted discharge, mortality rates and replacement costs. Louisiana hospitals are not alone. Hospitals and hospital associations across the country are searching for solutions.

SHARECOR , the shared services division of the Louisiana Hospital Association and the Metropolitan Hospital Council of New Orleans, has developed a program based on the Nursing PPO project that has been in place for New Orleans area hospitals for over twelve years. The successful “Metro” program has saved participating hospitals millions of dollars through favorable pricing.

COMPLEX PROBLEMS/
MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS:

Times of great challenge are also times of great opportunity.  As hospitals and agencies battle over scarce resources, (qualified, experienced healthcare personnel) SHARESTAFF offers several programs that create opportunities for all participants while addressing the goals and needs of each.

 The programs available include: 

• Statewide Travel and Contract Registry Program
• Regionalized Supplemental Staffing Cooperatives
• Direct Access Program
• Statewide Ancillary and Support Registry Program
• Electronic Monitoring and Scheduling Program
• Strategic Agency “Partnership” Program

Great opportunities exist for all participants through the win-win approach of SHARESTAFF.

VALUE TO HOSPITALS 

• Reduce hospital utilization and dependency on staffing agencies
• Reduce hospital employee costs involved in utilizing agencies
• Reduce hospitals costs per hour for agency personnel
• Improve access to qualified contingent personnel
• Maximize cost effective utilization of hospital staff, flex pool and available supplemental staff

VALUE TO AGENCIES 

• Increase the number of available shifts and client facilities
• Reduce internal operating costs
• Increase revenues through diversification
• Reduce marketing expenses

VALUE TO NURSES (Supplemental Staff) 

• Increased  number of available shifts
• Increased  number of facilities to work at
• Improve cancellation rate
• Allow nurses to book shifts at various facilities online