On some weekends the cleaning team is staffed at half the 35 workers that are supposed to work the shift, Mr. Ellis said.
“Biohazard waste is piling up, suites are not cleaned or suites are not cleaned or manned by employees on the weekend,” Mr. Ellis said, according to Fox 4.
Staffing shortages used to be resolved by overtime work, but the hospital recently stopped offering overtime to cleaning staff. The hospital’s chief of staff, Jeff Hastings, MD, said the hospital’s supervisor for environmental management thought overtime dollars could be better spent.
“She made an excellent argument to say, ‘Here’s how much money you’re spending in overtime, why don’t we hire more people instead?'” Dr. Hastings told Fox 4.
The hospital offered environmental medical service jobs to 35 people and was not aware that staffing shortages had led to any medical risks, Dr. Hastings said.
More articles on leadership and management:
United Medical Center board wants to extend contract for fired consultants
Questions linger over plan to end inpatient care at Nashville General Hospital
Michael Dowling: Partnering with others in pursuit of good ideas
At Becker's 4th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, taking place November 2–5 in Chicago, more than 1,500 hospital and health system executives tackle decisions that determine whether organizations thrive or merely survive: protecting margins under cost pressure, choosing where to grow, renegotiating payer relationships, stabilizing the workforce and proving real ROI on technology. This is where leaders work through them together, face-to-face. Apply for complimentary registration now.
