HWL Insights

It's that time of year again — conference season. That means we're very excited to be at the upcoming AONL 2022 conference from April 11-14 in San Antonio, TX. 

​​Approximately 70% of healthcare organizations contract with an MSP or VMS provider for the procurement and management of contract labor. Most of these programs are managed by staffing agencies eager to box out their competition, control pricing and maximize profits in each client account. 

From the moment the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a global health emergency to the conclusion of 2020 surpassing 20 million infections nationwide, healthcare workers have been stretched to the max. In the climate of panic and fear that characterized the early days of the pandemic, defining a workable strategy to deliver thousands of providers was anything but simple.

Healthcare Workforce Logistics (HWL) provides state, regional, and local governments a comprehensive solution to improve vaccination rates in targeted communities. Our robust technology, extensive network of staffing and supply chain partners and expertise in the deployment of community-based vaccination programs makes us the top choice for bringing care to people.

The introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine brought a sigh of relief to most Americans, signaling a gradual shift to normalcy. This return to normal, however, will not come easy. The vaccine alone can not solve the problem—it will take widespread vaccinations to put an end to the global pandemic. Since the onset of the pandemic, Healthcare Workforce Logistics (HWL) has doubled down on what it does best — mobilizing healthcare professionals where they’re needed most and providing creative solutions like mobile vaccination sites to the nation’s most difficult to reach communities.

In times of crisis, it is vital for healthcare organizations to lean on the right outside partners to supplement their own resources. The fall of 2020 was a difficult one, ushering in yet another surge of COVID-19 patients to hospitals and clinics across the nation and stretching critical healthcare staff—Banner Health was no exception. In mid-November, Banner’s Managed Services Provider (MSP), Healthcare Workforce Logistics (HWL), put out the request for physicians through its Vendor Management System (VMS). David Gibbons, a healthcare consultant at Floyd Lee Locums, saw the openings and eagerly performed the search. As a newly contracted vendor for Banner, Floyd Lee Locums was tasked with presenting high-performing candidates quickly while adhering to Banner’s internal hiring process.  

The long-anticipated coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine has finally arrived but with staffing shortages across the U.S. and the rollout of mass vaccination sites—vaccination staffing professionals are sorely needed. It is no secret that proper vaccine administration is critical to ensure the vaccine rollout is both safe and effective. In response, Healthcare Workforce Logistics (HWL) has developed a vendor-neutral staffing program designed to meet the need for staff that provides vaccination services to employees and the general public. HWL can connect healthcare delivery organizations to their 100+ agency consortium within 24 hours—a critical component in the ongoing fight against COVID-19. 

While 2020 has been a difficult year, HWL has had the privilege of joining the call for nationwide coronavirus (COVID-19) assistance—deploying the COVID-19 Surge Staffing Program to connect healthcare organizations with contingent workers rapidly and seamlessly. We have witnessed locums, nursing, and allied health professionals around the U.S. band together to help others in hard-hit areas respond to this pandemic, advocating for people they have never met and providing quality compassionate care when needed most.

Healthcare systems of all sizes are acknowledging the benefits of working with contingent labor; however, many organizations are finding it difficult to manage agency spend, streamline the recruitment process and possess the strategic foresight necessary for successful future staff planning. Contracting with workforce solutions providers to assist with managing contingent labor can save hospitals and practices money while also allowing the organization to focus on what they do best—caring for patients.

Image: Lahey Hospital & Medical Center

When faced with a temporary vacancy the busy Critical Care unit at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, does what every other healthcare facility would do, contacts a rapid response staffing agency to fill the vacancy quickly. Desperate for a qualified candidate, the Critical Care Nurse Manager complies with the terms of the agency’s contract and agrees to the agency rate requested for the expedited candidate. 

Vendor Management Systems (VMS) streamline and standardize the management of contingent workers across the healthcare organization to reduce costs and increase time saved. Whether it’s Local or Travel, Contract or Per Diem, Clinical or Non-Clinical, a robust VMS will deliver heightened visibility, efficiency, and compliance into your operations. Learn how Lahey Hospital and Medical Center leveraged HWL VMS technology to consolidate contract hiring and monitor contingent workforce performance across the organization.

In April, a small post-acute facility in a large Southeast city began to feel the harsh impact of COVID-19. As patient health deteriorated the Department of Health, assisted by the National Guard, tested all 204 residents and staff—104 residents and 21 staff members tested positive for COVID-19. At this point, one resident and one staff member had passed away as a result of the virus. 

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., Healthcare Workforce Logistics (HWL) has doubled down on what it does best - mobilizing healthcare professionals where they’re needed most, at competitive rates - in the nation’s hot spots, including a pivotal role in our home state of Georgia.

Access to the right data at the right time is essential to containing agency spend and meeting increased healthcare demands. Accurate or ‘clean’ data ensures health systems don’t fly blind—providing leverage for vendor negotiations, rapid staffing fulfillment, and additional cost management activities. For every expense category in the hospital, you rely on data. Data drives most decisions about spending and yet when it comes to contingent labor costs, often organizations don’t have a clear picture. Wouldn’t you like the same level of control and insight into agency spending that you have with other operational expenditures? 

Locum tenens, nursing, and allied health professionals are essential components in the battle against coronavirus (COVID-19) and all of its variants, including the highly contagious Delta variant that has caused recent spikes in cases. Healthcare Workforce Logistics (HWL) is offering healthcare delivery organizations a rapid response staffing program designed to meet urgent staffing needs driven by increased demand for healthcare professionals and shortages of core staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic.    

Even as health systems are breathing a sigh of relief in the home stretch of the first wave of COVID-19 patients, they are facing staggering financial disruptions of key service lines. Some health systems continue to have surge staff needs and others are furloughing employees. In either case, all organizations should take this opportunity to thoroughly assess all aspects of staffing needs and processes and evaluate how best to progress forward. 

State of Georgia Calls on Jackson Healthcare to Fulfill Healthcare Staffing Needs in Fight Against COVID-19.

During a work year, organizations lose 6,500 hours dealing with manual processes related to managing staffing suppliers.

Front line managers at SwedishAmerican Hospital reported that their antiquated systems and inconsistent process for securing temporary staff was “a nightmare.”  Since partnering with HWL, leadership reports that “the change in process is like night and day.” 

Originally published May 2018. Updated on November 17, 2020.

The U.S. health sector has seen tremendous growth over the last century. Demand for medical providers is outpacing the supply so organizations are turning to provider staffing firms to fill the gaps. In fact, the healthcare staffing market is expected to hit $43.5 billion by 2025.

More and more healthcare provider organizations are turning to locum, or locum tenens to keep up with the increasing demands.

Read, ‘How an Agency Can Help You Find a Locum Tenens Physician.’