Persistent provider shortages are straining health systems, making it increasingly difficult to meet patient demand. Nearly half of hospitals are unequipped to manage current patient volumes, with some running operating rooms below 70% capacity simply due to a lack of staff. As recruiting and retention challenges grow amid shortages, permanent teams are left stretched thin, increasing the risk of burnout and turnover.
With no immediate end in sight, how can health system leaders close critical staffing gaps while maintaining high-quality care? Here is how three leading health systems navigated significant provider shortages to achieve clinical workforce stabilization:
Clearing a 40,000-Case Radiology Backlog in Five Weeks
A Michigan health system faced significant radiologist shortages across 14 facilities. As patient demand increased, the existing coverage couldn’t keep up, leading to a growing backlog of cases and wait times exceeding 40 days. With growing operational strain and increases in patient volumes, immediate action was critical. Leadership implemented the Medicus Transition Program, a project-based interim healthcare staffing solution, to stabilize radiology services and ensure access to care. Here are a few notable outcomes:
- Rapid Radiologist Deployment: 41 radiologists received temporary privileges in as little as one week, allowing for expedited onboarding.
- Scalable Staffing: 10 FTEs placed in 8 weeks, scaling to 20 FTEs within 3 months.
- Backlog Reduction: In just three weeks, the radiology backlog dropped from 40,000 to 3,500 cases.
Read the entire case study here.
” The Medicus Transition Program was more efficient and effective than utilizing multiple locum agencies due to their expertise and resources. Medicus enabled us to have fewer meetings and expend few resources navigating this complex work. I highly recommend Medicus to other healthcare organizations because they were extremely accountable, instilled confidence in us, and became an extension of our team. As a result, Medicus created an easy and comfortable process in the face of a complex and anxiety-inducing situation.” – Senior VP of Clinical Services
Strengthening OB-GYN Services to Support Growing Demand
A New York health system experienced unexpected provider turnover in its OB-GYN department, which created challenges in meeting patient demand. Disruptions in care and financial strain required swift action to stabilize services. Leadership partnered with Medicus to leverage their Medicus Transition Program to secure immediate coverage and establish an OB hospitalist model. Here’s the impact:
- Efficient Onboarding: 20 OB-GYNs and CNMs were credentialed and ready to work within just 30–45 days.
- Increased Capacity: Deliveries increased by over 24% from the previous year.
- Long-Term Stability: Optimum, Medicus’ permanent recruitment partner, placed 2 OB-GYNs. Plus, 1 Medicus locum tenens joined the hospital full-time.
Explore the complete case study here.
“Medicus’ prompt and reliable staffing solution allowed us to maintain high standards of patient care during a critical transition period. We are now able to ensure increased, continuous access to women’s health and prenatal care. In addition, we have been able to regain unclaimed revenue, ensuring our health system is running efficiently.” -Health System Leadership
Establishing an Anesthesia Care Team Model to Improve Surgical Access
An Illinois health system faced inadequate OR staffing, causing surgical delays, a growing backlog, and patient redirection to other hospitals. With only 70% of ORs operational, leadership needed a solution to improve efficiency and restore access to surgical services. The Medicus Transition Program helped stabilize anesthesia coverage and support the transition to an employed model. Here’s what they achieved:
- Expanded & Reliable Coverage: 150 CRNA and anesthesiologists were credentialed and onboarded within 60 days.
- Maximized OR Capacity: OR utilization increased from 70% to 100% after the project launched.
- Seamless Transition: Successfully transitioned to an employed anesthesia care team model.
Read the complete case study here.
“Medicus and their dedicated resources enabled our team to effectively transition from an affiliate MD coverage model to an employed anesthesia care team model. Without support from Medicus, we would not be in the position we are in now.” -Health System Leadership
A Strategic Approach to Clinical Workforce Stabilization
In response to healthcare facilities facing critical provider staffing challenges, Medicus Healthcare Solutions developed the Medicus Transition Program. The program offers an innovative consultant-based approach that provides long-term clinical workforce stabilization for facilities experiencing significant advanced practitioner and physician shortages, particularly in specialties with multiple FTE gaps.
Through shared accountability in sourcing, scheduling, and cost control, Medicus equips healthcare leaders with the expertise and resources needed to bridge staffing gaps, restore operational efficiency, and maintain high-quality patient care.
