Each winter, across the U.S., there is typically a sharp increase in the number of flu cases. In fact, the flu is now responsible for 5% of all ER visits, and when combined with COVID and/or RSV, it’s 10%. The number of outpatient visits has been particularly alarming in the southeast. This surge leads to overcrowded waiting rooms, longer wait times, and increased pressure on staff.
In addition to the increased patient load in flu season, healthcare providers also deal with staff shortages due to illness. Many professionals themselves have been affected, leading to a decrease in available personnel to provide care. This combination of factors has created a challenging situation for providers.
How Temporary Staffing Can Help Healthcare Providers Survive the Flu Season
Temporary staffing solutions can provide much-needed relief for healthcare providers during the flu season. By partnering with staffing agencies specializing in healthcare, providers can quickly and efficiently fill staffing gaps. These temporary healthcare professionals can help alleviate the burden on existing staff, and ensure that patients receive the care they need.
Temporary staff can be brought in to cover a variety of roles, including nurses, medical assistants, and administrative staff. They can be hired on a short-term basis, ensuring that providers have the necessary support during peak flu season. This allows healthcare providers to adjust their staffing levels based on the fluctuating demand caused by the flu surge.
Temporary workers can also be brought in on short notice, allowing providers to quickly respond to the changing needs of their patients. This immediate flexibility is essential during the flu season, as the number of patients seeking treatment can fluctuate rapidly. By having access to temporary staff, providers can ensure that they have enough personnel to handle the increased workload.
Another advantage of temporary staffing is the ability to bring in specialized professionals. During the flu season, certain areas of healthcare may require additional support. For example, providers may need more nurses to handle the influx of patients or office staff to manage the increased paperwork. Temporary staffing allows providers to specifically request professionals with the necessary skills and flu season experience to meet these specific needs, often leaving behind valuable knowledge when their assignments end.
There’s also a significant ROI associated with temporary staffing. It can be far more cost-effective than hiring more permanent talent, and then being overstaffed once flu season winds down, or being understaffed, which can lead to disgruntled patients and expensive staff turnover.
Partner with Medix to Quickly and Cost-Effectively Staff for Flu Season
Medix is a leading healthcare staffing agency that specializes in providing temporary staffing solutions for healthcare providers. With 20+ years of experience in the industry, we have developed a large network of qualified healthcare professionals who are ready to be quickly deployed during flu season. In fact, our quality of talent and delivery process earned us a prestigious Joint Commission Certification.
Partnering with us is a straightforward process. Healthcare providers can reach out and discuss their staffing needs and requirements with specialized recruiting experts. We’ll work closely with you to understand your specific needs and develop a staffing plan that aligns with your goals. There’s a rigorous screening and credentialing process to ensure that only the most qualified clinical and administrative candidates are hired.
With our temporary staffing solutions, you’ll be able to manage flu season more efficiently than ever, having the ideal amount of staff at the right moments, with the ability to quickly scale down after the peak period. And you won’t risk compromising patient care or burning out your staff with stretched resources and unrealistic expectations.
Flu cases are rising. Increase your staffing flexibility to cost-effectively handle the demand, before it’s too late. Contact us today.
