Changes to Organizational Policies and Guidelines
Past Topics
Policies and guidelines (including furloughs) that have been implemented because of COVID-19.
(10/14/21) Biden Admin to Invest $100M to Address Health Care Worker Shortage
The Biden administration announced this week that it will invest $100 million to the National Health Service Corps to further address the health care worker shortage. The program will help primary care doctors in rural communities and low income areas that have a hard time with recruitment and retention. The announcement was made after the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the United States lost 17,500 health care employees in September.
(08/31/21) 9 Benefits Health Systems Offer to Attract, Retain Workers
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the ongoing shortage of health care workers causing several health care facilities to remain understaffed. A recent survey from Aon, a global professional services firm has found that health systems are relying on benefits to attract and retain health care workers. The survey found that the top two benefits offered were tuition reimbursement and flexible work options.
(08/10/21) Most Americans Agree that Nurses and Aides are Underpaid, While Few Support Using Federal Dollars to Increase Pay for Doctors
A nationwide poll conducted by the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, suggests that most Americans believe nurses and health care aides are underpaid while hospital and insurance executives are overpaid. However, only 17% of Americans support increasing doctor’s pay with government funding but 54% support funding to increase the number of doctors.
(07/21/21) The Pandemic Drove Women Out of the Workforce — Here’s How Your Hospital Can Bring Them Back
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on women in the health care workforce. Many women were driven out of the workforce, citing child-care as a primary contributing factor which exacerbated existing gender inequities. A recent Mckinsey Global report has found that women accounted for 56% of COVID-19-related job losses, while Altarum, a consulting firm, found that 530,000 health care jobs for women were needed to return to pre-pandemic levels.
(07/21/21) Mayor de Blasio Announces Health Worker COVID-Safe Requirement
Mayor de Blasio has announced a new policy which will take effect on August 2, 2021. The Health Worker COVID-Safe Requirement policy will require all employees of city-run health care facilities to provide proof of vaccination or to take weekly COVID-19 tests.
(07/16/21) New OSHA Standard Puts Healthcare on Same Page, ‘Makes Our Staff Safer,’ Stanford, Geisinger Say
In this article published in Becker’s Hospital Review, two health care executives discuss efforts to meet the new Occupational Safety and Health Association Emergency Temporary Standard rules. These new rules apply to health care organizations in an effort to protect workers as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
(07/15/21) OSHA Updates COVID-19 National Emphasis Program and Interim Enforcement Response Plan
This article discusses the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) updated guidance on COVID-19 related inspections. The new Direction, which was released on July 7, 2021, updates the COVID-19 National Emphasis Program and the Interim Enforcement Response Plan for COVID-19.
(07/07/21) New OSHA Standard to Disrupt Healthcare Workforce Management
The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) is urging the US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration to delay or rescind its decision on the new COVID-19 emergency temporary standard. This request has come as the organization believes that the emergency temporary standard is duplicative of existing efforts and may significantly disrupt health care workforce management.
(06/30/21) American Hospital Association Seeks Extension for Hospitals to Follow COVID-19 Workplace Safety Rules
The US Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) emergency temporary standard for healthcare workers went into effect on June 21, 2021, with a compliance deadline of 14 days for priority provisions and 30 days for remaining provisions. This article from Becker’s Hospital Review highlights a letter written by the American Hospital Association which requests a six-month extension on the compliance dates for facilities to comply with the COVID-19 workplace safety rules.
(06/22/21) New York Requires Hospitals to Create Clinical Staffing Committees
New legislation from New York State requires hospitals in the state to develop clinical staffing plans, under the control of clinical staffing committees. These committees will include registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, ancillary staff members, and hospital administrators, in an attempt to address difficulties with allocation of staff and resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(06/21/21) OSHA ETS: What Health Care Providers Need To Know
This SmithAmundsen law update published by JD Supra focuses on the new guidance from the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard for the health care industry. Health care providers working in settings involved in treating patients with COVID-19 will be impacted by these rules.
