• WHA’s annual Advocacy Day slated for April 16
• Wisconsin hospitals must fill almost 1,000 provider positions by 2018
• Becker’s Hospital Review recognizes three rural Wisconsin hospital CEOs
• New survey says drug shortages could pose safety, cost challenge for hospitals

WHA’s annual Advocacy Day slated for April 16

The Wisconsin Hospital Association’s Advocacy Day event will draw in another 900 hospital advocates from across the state to Madison, April 16 at the Monona Terrace. The event is designed to educate and motivate health care employees, trustees and volunteers on important health care-related issues and to encourage grassroots advocacy opportunities. Featured speakers give timely insight to state and federal health care issues, and participating in legislative visits allows attendees to speak up on behalf of their hospitals. To register or for more information, CLICK HERE.

Some Wisconsin hospitals must fill almost 1,000 provider positions by 2018

As Wisconsin’s provider workforce ages, 15 hospitals in south central Wisconsin will need to hire 967 providers in the next five years, according to a Retirement & Departure Survey released last fall, and presented at a recent board meeting of the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics.

Registered nurses make up more than half of these positions. The survey projects there will be 522 nurse openings during that timeframe, according to the report commissioned by the Workforce Development Board and Health Care Workforce Alliance. Openings at Madison’s three urban hospitals – University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Meriter Health Services and St. Mary’s Hospital – represent 708, or 73 percent, of the total provider hiring needs by 2018. Of those expected urban vacancies, more than half, 371, come from UW.

The Retirement & Departure Survey projections for provider needs are based on the assumption all workers over age 60 will retire by 2018. However, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at UW Hospital and Clinics Janice Bultema said average retirement age jumped from about 60 to 62 from 2008 to 2009. The report also noted healthcare workers were slightly older in 2013 than they were in 2008, when the Workforce Development Board administered a nearly identical survey. The survey predicts that may have been caused by the “Great Recession” that steered providers toward postponing their retirement.

To read the full report, visit WisconsinHealthNews.org.

Becker’s Hospital Review recognizes three rural Wisconsin hospital CEOs

Three Wisconsin hospital leaders were featured among the annual list of “50 Rural Hospital CEOs to Know,” released by Becker’s Hospital Review earlier this month. To read more, CLICK HERE.

New survey says drug shortages could pose safety, cost challenge for hospitals

Drug shortages continue to threaten patient safety and increase costs for hospitals, although the prevalence of shortages and degree to which they affect patient care appear to be decreasing, according to a recent survey by Premier Inc. The most often cited shortage drugs affecting patient safety and cost were electrolytes, intravenous fluids and parenteral nutrition solutions for patients unable to take oral fluids or food; cardiovascular agents to treat heart disease and other cardiac conditions; and surgical agents for surgery preparation/anesthesia and sedation, the survey of 124 hospital pharmacists and pharmacy experts found. (from AHA News Now, February 27, 2014)

In partnership with the WHA, this blog features headlines and hot button issues concerning Wisconsin hospitals, clinics and organizations. Here, you’ll read and watch videos about new legislation, hospital measurement and performance initiatives and the tools and resources you need to understand and manage today’s current, complex and controversial health care issues. If you have other news, resources or links to share, please comment below or email Trish Skram, blogger and research content specialist for WHPRMS, at trishskram@gmail.com.