AHA Unveils New Resources for Addressing Workforce Challenges

The AHA has developed a number of new materials to support hospitals and health systems as they navigate workforce challenges that affect their ability to care for their patients and communities.

Data Brief on Workforce
A new data brief outlines how health care workforce challenges are threatening hospitals’ ability to care for patients and communities. Among other highlights, the report details how staffing shortages have cost hospitals approximately $24 billion over the course of the pandemic; high staff turnover due to COVID-19 pressures; and hospitals’ increased use of contract temporary labor for full-time and part-time staff. You can share this document with your federal lawmakers to encourage Congress to prioritize funding and policies to support the health care workforce so that patients and communities can continue to access care.

Health Care Talent Scan
The 2022 AHA Health Care Talent Scan examines the latest factors and trends affecting the health care workforce. Topics covered in the report include COVID-19’s impact on health care workers, workforce shortages, team-based models, telehealth and clinician well-being. The report provides guidance to help hospitals and health systems navigate workforce-related challenges to achieve resilience, flexibility and capacity. View the full report and executive summary. The AHA also created a slide deck with key insights that hospitals and health systems can adapt and use in their own presentations.

Guide on Creating Safer Workplaces
The AHA, along with the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety, recently released “Creating Safer Workplaces: A guide to mitigating violence in health care settings.” This resource for health care and security leaders offers recommended action steps, case studies, best practices and individual solutions to build a safer workplace.

AHA Briefing for Congressional Staff to Spotlight Workforce Challenges
The AHA this afternoon will hold a virtual briefing on workforce issues for Capitol Hill lawmakers and their staffs. Participants include AHA Board Member Mary Beth Kingston, R.N., chief nursing officer for Advocate Aurora Health; David Zaas, M.D., CEO for MUSC Health-Charleston Division and chief clinical officer of MUSC Health; and Leonard Hernandez, president and CEO of Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. They will share their experiences navigating their ongoing workforce challenges. Watch AHA Today for a summary of the briefing and a highlight video later this week.

More Workforce Resources
For additional workforce resources, please visit AHA’s workforce webpage.

FURTHER QUESTIONS
If you have questions, please contact AHA at 800-424-4301.