Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1526238
20 NURSING SPOTLIGHT CHS' nurse retention rate at 'highest level in a decade,' says CEO By Alan Condon F ranklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems has hired almost 3,000 registered nurses during the first half of 2024 and its nurse retention rate is "very strong at its highest level in a decade," CEO Tim Hingtgen said July 25 during the company's second-quarter earnings call. In 2023, CHS added more than 1,000 bedside nurses as part of its centralized clinical recruitment program, which has expanded to include allied health positions in areas including imaging, pharmacy, lab, respiratory and surgical services. "Across these positions, hiring is up by more than 14% year-over- year," Mr. Hingtgen said. "Other facets of cost management have been an area of strength this year with contract labor, supplies and other expenses trending down in the second quarter. Innovative solutions to improve care delivery in our business operations are another area of specific focus." e 71-hospital system is also focused on graduating and recruiting nurses through its education partnership, which is expected to graduate 1,000 new nurses a year. CHS' contract labor costs were down about $3 million sequentially to $45 million and down $29 million (39%) from $74 million in the second quarter of 2023. "is decrease in contract labor was slightly better than our expectation of contract labor remaining at approximately $50 million per quarter for the year," CFO Kevin Hammons said. "We are pleased with the continued progress that reflects our recruitment and retention efforts along with lower hourly rates for contracted nurses." CHS reported a $13 million net loss in the second quarter, compared to a $38 million net loss during the second quarter of last year. n University Hospitals' spin on virtual nursing By Erica Carbajal M any virtual nursing models involve separate teams where nurses work as either a bedside nurse or a virtual nurse. But Cleveland-based University Hospitals is taking a different approach. In May, the health system introduced a model in which nurses can work a hybrid schedule, with several days spent at the bedside and the remainder of their schedule at a remote care hub as a virtual nurse. e model is in place across five hospital units, with 23 staff nurses on these units working some of their weekly shis at the remote hub in an administrative building, health system leaders told Becker's. "We have hardwired all patient rooms in five hospital units with the technology for remote nursing," Michelle Hereford, MSHA, RN, FACHE, chief nurse executive at University Hospitals and the Ethel Morikis Endowed Chair in Nursing Leadership, told Becker's. "Each day, a nurse from each of the five units works in the remote hub in collaboration with their home units and each other." e approach has been a way to deliver on nurses' flexibility demands and allow members of the same team to continue working together. When working a remote shi, nurses are oen caring for the same patients with whom they established a connection during a bedside shi at the hospital, making patients more comfortable when a nurse dials in virtually. "We had much less hesitancy from patients than expected," said Jennifer Carpenter, DNP, RN, CENP, chief nursing informatics officer for the health system. During the pilot period, the health system engaged members of its family advisory council to get patients' Rural Vermont turns to community nurses for care By Mariah Taylor More cities in Vermont are turning to community nurses to provide in-home health care, WBUR reported July 30. Community nurse programs have run in several cities for years. Some are funded through nonprofits, churches or the city itself. "Right now the healthcare system is reactive. Something has to happen, and then you call 911, and then you go," Kristin Barnum, who runs a nonprofit called Community Nurse Connection, told WBUR. "But these community nurses are health coaches, health advocates, to prevent bad things from happening." The community nurses, some retired from local health systems, help fill gaps in healthcare by providing in-home support, including healthcare needs and addressing social determinants of health. Their work is free to patients and programs pay an average of $30,000 per year to community nurses. More towns are looking to replicate the model with some towns actively hiring for community nurses. These programs have reduced 911 calls and emergency medical care as well as reduced isolation and hazards in the home. n