HSCA
A Key Partner GPOs are adding value where it matters most in healthcare – to the lives of healthcare workers.
The American Hospital Association wrote to the House Energy and Commerce Committee in March to express their concern about the healthcare workforce shortage in hospitals, calling it a “national emergency.” In their statement, AHA projected that the shortage of nurses will reach 1.1 million by the end of 2022 and that the U.S. will face a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2033 and 3.2 million lower-wage healthcare workers by 2027.
the physical and emotional toll of caring for sicker,
Improving supply chain workflow for nurses
more complex patients. The number of COVID-19
In February, two-thirds of U.S. hospitals had a
cases may ebb and flow over time, but the healthcare
nurse vacancy rate of 7.5% or more. Nursing staff,
system will continue to see a rise in patient acuity
specifically registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical
well past the worst waves of the pandemic. These
nurses (LPNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs)
industry trends all contribute to burnout, stress, and
and certified nursing assistants (CNAs), are critical
retention issues across the healthcare workforce. As a
staff in hospitals and nursing homes. Nurses play an
key partner to virtually all of America’s 7,000+ hospi-
important role in procuring and documenting medi-
tals and 68,000+ non-acute care facilities, healthcare
cations and supplies, which can become increasingly
GPOs and the Healthcare Supply Chain Association
difficult when faced with shortages, heavy utiliza-
(HSCA) are leading efforts to address the root causes
tion, and backorders. An industry survey showed
of the healthcare workforce crisis.
that supply chain issues led approximately 20% of
Indeed, healthcare workers continue to endure
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By Todd Ebert, R.Ph., President and CEO of the Healthcare Supply Chain Association (HSCA)
October 2022 | The Journal of Healthcare Contracting