Workforce

The pandemic has caused an increased need to address employee stress, fatigue and exhaustion among clinicians battling COVID-19. However, there are steps health systems can take to address this need.

A panel of healthcare leaders discussed keys to handling employees' emotional health and combating burnout during a Sept. 10 session at the Becker's Clinical Leadership Virtual Event. Panelists included:

The Louisiana Hospital Association Research and Education Foundation has established a fund for hospital employees affected by Hurricane Laura, the association announced Sept. 9. 

Healthcare added 75,300 jobs in August, with hospitals seeing job growth for the third month since March, but at a slower pace, according to the latest jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Queen's Health Systems in Honolulu has started a COVID-19 antibody study to learn more about employee exposure, the organization announced Sept. 1. 

As the pandemic continues, personal protective equipment shortages persist and and more nurses have been forced to reuse single-use N95 masks, according to a new COVID-19 survey from the American Nurses Association. 

A COVID-19 outbreak at Santa Rosa (Calif.) Memorial Hospital is linked to at least 17 employee infections, according to The Press Democrat.

Many U.S. hospitals and health systems have furloughed staff to help offset revenue losses from the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, some are starting to bring furloughed workers back as they resume nonemergency procedures and medical appointments. 

Madison, Wis.-based UW Health seeks more than 30 environmental services workers to help with detailing and cleaning work, according to Spectrum News 1.

A sampling of U.S. hospitals and healthcare sites where employees have tested positive for COVID-19, as reported in July and August: