Staffing crisis grips Kansas state hospitals

Major staffing problems have hit Kansas state hospitals, creating a stressful and inhospitable work environment, the Kansas City Star reports.

The issue stems from a program launched last year by Kansas Governor Sam Brownback. The initiative, an early retirement program which offered health insurance benefits and one-time payment initiatives to state workers, was jumped on by 1,000 state employees.

That means the remainder of the workforce is spread thin, creating dangerous conditions at most state hospitals. Some organizations are so understaffed they risk loss of accreditation from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. Employees are made to work long hours and take on more responsibilities, with only a bump in overtime compensation to make up for it.

“All of the state's hospitals report that recruiting and retaining staff members is difficult because salaries are lower than in surrounding areas, and because of the long hours employees are expected to put in,” the news source notes.

Lean healthcare management is one of the many strategies that these organizations could employ to keep workers engaged. In Lean companies, employees are empowered through the work culture, which may improve productivity.