Burnout, Inflation Patient Volumes | Combating Challenges in Healthcare

Health systems are combatting some serious problems. Between burnout, inflation and patient volumes still not quite to pre-Pandemic levels, it’s more important than ever to ensure profitability.

Burnout

Burnout was an issue in healthcare for clinicians before the Pandemic. Since then, however, it’s gotten worse. In fact, in 2022, the Surgeon General issued a warning about healthcare worker burnout. Even healthcare executives are now reporting burnout.?

To retain clinicians, hospitals have tried increasing salaries. True to supply and demand contract staff prices have gone up.? In fact, just before the Pandemic hit, the average travel nurse weekly salary was $1,894. By December 2022, that number moved to $3,173.?

Pay is vital, but there are other ways to entice clinicians while combating burnout. Scribe solutions for providers and nurses is a great way to show appreciation while allowing clinicians to focus on the part of the job they enjoy, without getting buried in paperwork.

Inflation?

As consumers, we’re familiar with inflation. Drug prices have gone up. As lay people, we’ve likely noticed the average increase of 5%. However, some drugs used in hospitals such as Hydromorphone, Mitomycin, and Vasopressin increased by nearly 100%.?

Supplies are another line item that’s going up for healthcare. These are caused by factors like supply chain disruptions, manufacturing price increases, the war in the Ukraine, even the energy crisis in China. By the end of 2021 the cost of supplies rose by 15.9% since 2019. While the increase is expected to slow in 2023, it’s still something to take into consideration. There are ways to offset the supply cost increase. For example, working with a BPO partner to assist with Supply Chain Management is a great way to increase efficiency, and reduce costs, without having to worry about the above variables.??

Patient Volumes

In the first months of the Pandemic, patients began delaying care. 2021 patients began to come back, however by 2022 the patient volumes began a decline again. Scaling with this much uncertainty can be a challenge.?

Developing an omni channel system to communicate with patients is a good way to take pressure off staff during elevated patient levels.

Setting up a contingent staffing plan can help as well. If you can work with partners who are sensitive to the rising costs–even better!

Combatting The Costs with PointWest?

Now more than ever, it’s important to ensure profitability to counteract these challenges. PointWest BPO services can help:

• Scribe Services
• Revenue Cycle Management Support
• Robotic Process Automation
• Supply Chain Management
• IT Outsourcing

Reach out to PointWest, so together we can develop a Business Process Outsourcing plan to help your organization find more revenue while cutting costs.