Managing staffing shortages has been a persistent challenge for ASCs since the COVID-19 pandemic began nearly three years ago. Now, heading into 2023, research shows that a lack of staffing continues to be a threat to the financial health and growth potential of centers across the country:
- Many ASCs spend a quarter or more of their net operating revenue on staffing costs to head off shortages, according to a 2022 report from VMG Health.
- 56% of ASCs reported seeing increased surgical volume in the past 12 months, almost double 2021’s 30%, according to a 2022 OR Manager survey. But as patient volumes rebound, staffing shortages persist. ASC leaders reported increases in turnover and open positions for RNs and surgical technologists — 50% of ASCs said they had an increase in RN open positions, up from 40% in 2021.
- 77% of ASCs reported experiencing nursing or other staff shortages in a December 2021 ASCA survey. The main reasons behind the shortages were attributed to: higher pay elsewhere (76%), general staff burnout (33%), and staff layoffs or resignations during the pandemic (21%).
Ongoing staffing challenges can contribute to a wide range of issues in an ASC, including scheduling delays or cancellations, billing inefficiencies, or decreases in quality of care. They can also stand in the way of growth, preventing centers from expanding their services or taking on new patients. Many ASCs are still coping with financial losses from the past few years while facing rising costs, and it is essential for leaders to be proactive about finding long-term solutions for staffing shortages.
Reliable anesthesia staffing is crucial to the success of an ASC, but it can also be difficult to maintain. When you partner with an anesthesia management company that specializes in meeting the staffing demands of ASCs, you find the flexibility, customization, and dependability you are looking for. You no longer have to worry about staff turnover or absences because you’re covered, whether you need support from temporary or permanent providers.
CarePlus provides anesthesia coverage from the right providers with the right credentials, specifically tailored to your center’s needs. Contact us to learn how our team can solve your staffing challenges.