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54 CMO / CARE DELIVERY 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 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 Image Credit: Healthcare Finance News