The Health Personnel Shortage in Washington State

1
The Health Personnel Shortage in Washington State

• Washington hospitalsare experiencing critical
  shortages of qualified, competent health care
  workers.
• Washingtons situation reflects a national
  phenomenon, but is unique in several ways.
• For more information, contact Taya Briley
  (tayab_at_awphd.org).

Washington State Hospital Association Health
Information Program
2
Indicators of a Personnel Shortage Crisis

• Over half of Washington hospitals surveyed
  diverted patients from their ER to a nearby
  hospitals ER during 2000 due to the nurse
  shortage.

3
Indicators of a Personnel Shortage Crisis

• Contract (temporary) nursing expenses for
  Washington hospitals grew from an average of
  120,000 per hospital in 1995 to 400,000 in 1999.

Percent of Total Operating Expenses Spent on
Contract Nursing, 1995-1999
4
Indicators of a Personnel Shortage Crisis

• The shortage of hospital workers is forcing
  Washington hospitals to recruit heavily from
  outside the state.
• Seventy percent of hospitals surveyed reported
  they are recruiting from other states.
• Twenty-five percent reported they are recruiting
  from other countries.

Washington State Hospital Association Health
Information Program
5
Population Trends Affecting the Shortage
Washington's population is growing and aging.
The number over age 65 grew 59 percent from 1980
to 2000, and the number over age 80 will double
by 2030. The elderly require significantly more
care.
6
Population Trends Affecting the Shortage

• Health care workers are aging too.
• In 1996, 69 percent of the registered nursing
  workforce in the Pacific Census Division was over
  age 40. In 1999, 59 percent of registered nurses
  were age 45 and older.
• The average age of a Washington state laboratory
  worker is 49.

Washington State Hospital Association Health
Information Program
7
Supply and Demand Nurses

• In 2001, Washington hospitals reported 1,402
  staff nurse FTE vacancies.
• Vacancy numbers will increase as large numbers of
  nurses begin to retire in the next decade.
• Washington nursing schools are producing about
  1,200 new nurses per year, not nearly enough to
  fill the current hospital vacancies and those
  created by retiring nurses.

Washington State Hospital Association Health
Information Program
8
Supply and Demand Radiology Technologists

• In 1998, Washington ranked 37th lowest of 50
  states for number of radiology technologists per
  100,000 population.
• Between 1992 and 1997, the percentage of
  radiology technologists per 100,000 population in
  Washington decreased by six percent.
• Ninety-five percent of Washington hospitals
  surveyed reported it was somewhat or very
  difficult to recruit radiology technologists.

Washington State Hospital Association Health
Information Program
9
Supply and Demand Pharmacists

• In 1998, there were about 3,800 pharmacists in
  Washington and about 3,900 pharmacy vacancies.
• Ninety-six percent of Washington hospitals
  responding to a survey reported it was somewhat
  or very difficult to recruit pharmacists.
• Employment opportunities for pharmacists are
  expected to grow 23 percent by 2008.

Washington State Hospital Association Health
Information Program
10
Supply and Demand Aides

• In 1998, Washingtons number of nursing aides per
  100,000 population ranked 42nd lowest among the
  50 states.
• Nearly 62 percent of Washington hospitals
  responding to a survey reported it was somewhat
  or very difficult to recruit aides.

Washington State Hospital Association Health
Information Program
11
Steps Can Be Taken to Solve the Crisis

• Public Policy Solutions
• Hospital and Health Care Based Solutions
• Community Based Solutions

12
Public Policy Actions Required

• Create a state health care workforce commission
• Collect and analyze state health workforce data
• Reduce regulatory burden
• Improve payments to hospitals and physicians
• Support health personnel education
• Help communities address the problem
• Diversify the health care workforce

Washington State Hospital Association Health
Information Program
13
Steps Hospitals and Health Systems Can Take

• Make workforce a priority in strategic planning
• Improve education and training
• Recruit diverse populations and young people
• Redesign the work place

Washington State Hospital Association Health
Information Program
14
More Steps Hospitals and Health Systems Can Take

• Increase the versatility of personnel and create
  career opportunities for current workers
• Design flexible, comprehensive compensation
  packages
• Harness the power of technology

Washington State Hospital Association Health
Information Program
15
Community Level Involvement

• Involve business, industry, and education
• Collaborate to support scholarships for local
  students
• Involve local government in solving the problem
• Initiate dialogue with local and state officials
  on broader issues
• Balance community expecta-tions with reasonably
  priced health care

Washington State Hospital Association Health
Information Program