Editor's Note A critical lack of beds in rehabilitation facilities and postdischarge care is impacting patient recovery postoperatively, Forbes December 12 reports. According to the article, procedures involving brain and spinal cord injuries are the most impacted. Authors Robert Glatter, MD, an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New…

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Editor's Note The 2024 forecast for nonprofit hospitals is likely to remain challenging, according to the latest annual Fitch Ratings outlook, Chief Healthcare Executive December 6 reports Some highlights of the report include:  The outlook for 2024, which was identified as “deteriorating,” is based on three ongoing challenges for nonprofit hospitals:…

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Editor's Note The number of nurse practitioners (NPs) in the US has surged to 385,000, according to a November 14 Becker's Clinical Leadership article. As a result, the profession seems to be gaining prominence in healthcare amid an anticipated shortage of 100,000 physicians, Becker's Hospital Review December 4 reports. Research…

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Editor's Note There is a major anesthesia provider shortage that has been and continues to impact ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and which is driving up costs, Becker’s ASC Review November 29 reports. Meanwhile, reimbursements from payers are declining, straining ASCs’ ability to provide needed care. Some highlights from the Becker’s…

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Editor's Note Seeking higher pay and greater flexibility, many nurses are turning to gig work, MedicalXpress November 8 reports. The article defines gig work as “picking up individual shifts on an app as an alternative to months-long contracts or direct employment by a hospital.” Also according to the article: 100,000…

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A 2021 report by the Association of American Medical Colleges projects shortages of 15,800 to 30,200 in all surgical specialties by 2034. Driven by various factors, including the growing healthcare needs of an aging population, an aging surgical workforce—with many surgeons and nurses nearing retirement—and limited capacity in medical and…

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Editor's Note Due to staffing shortages, thousands of qualified applicants were turned away from nursing schools last year, despite the nationwide shortage of nurses, CNN Business October 5 reports. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nearly 78,200 qualified applications were denied by nursing schools in 2022. Nearly 66,300…

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Editor’s Note Katie Boston-Leary, PhD, MBA, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, CCTP, director of nursing programs at the American Nurses Association, spoke about the future of healthcare leaders at the OR Manager Conference on Monday morning. “There’s a concern about leadership in healthcare,” and there is a resistance to change, she noted.…

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Editor's Note Healthcare institutions that are grappling with persistent staffing shortages—exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic—are adopting unconventional strategies to attract and retain employees. Nurse leaders are piloting initiatives for both short- and long-term solutions to ensure the provision of quality patient care in the face of ongoing workforce challenges. Such…

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Editor's Note According to a July 6 report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a global outplacement and business and executive coaching firm that examines job cuts by US-based employers, healthcare/products companies and manufacturers, including hospitals, announced 38,279 job cuts in the first half of 2023, which is up by 97%…

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