Citing their desire to protect patients, visitors, colleagues and communities, hospitals and health systems across the U.S. have announced COVID-19 vaccination requirements for employees. But protests have also popped up, organized by people who oppose these policies.
Workforce
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated a labor shortage at health systems, and they're prioritizing benefits to attract and retain talent, according to a recent survey from Aon, a global professional services firm.
Many California hospitals are experiencing staffing shortages as the pandemic takes a toll on healthcare workers, and the state's new COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers is adding another layer to the issue, CalMatters reported Aug. 28.
Hospitals in Texas are being aided by more than 8,000 contract workers who've been tapped by the state to help short-staffed units facing a surge of COVID-19 patients, according to The Texas Tribune.
The nation's largest union and professional association of registered nurses is blaming hospitals for creating a staffing crisis. However, hospitals are disputing the claim and pointing to challenges workers are facing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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New York state's public health and health planning council approved emergency regulations Aug. 26 requiring that hospital workers be vaccinated for COVID-19, while removing religious exemptions, the state health department confirmed to Becker's.
Amid the latest COVID-19 wave, U.S. hospitals and health systems are seeking healthcare workers to help alleviate staffing strains.
Amid an increased demand for COVID-19 shots, Tidelands Health is hiring more than 100 temporary workers for its regional vaccination sites, the Georgetown, S.C.-based system announced Aug. 25.
Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital in Presque Isle, Maine, will stop scheduling employees who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, ABC affiliate WMTW reported Aug. 26.
Payers are adjusting their approaches to in-person work amid delta variant surges and recent COVID-19 vaccination approvals.