Hospitals contracted with personal organizations are slicing prices by relying on nurses : NPR

The healthcare industry has been struggling in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has often been difficult for hospitals to keep their costs low and keep their patients safe and healthy. Now, however, a new trend has emerged in some places: hospitals contracting with outside staffing agencies to provide nurses at a discounted rate, allowing hospitals to reduce their costs while still providing quality care to their patients.

Recently, NPR reported on this new trend, citing the example of a small, rural hospital in Virginia that contracted with a staffing agency to provide nurses at a lower rate than it had been managing them internally. The hospital was able to reduce its costs substantially and hired more staff than in previous years, leading to better care for its patients.

This trend of hospitals contracting with outside nursing organizations for lower rates has been gaining ground in the United States. A growing number of hospitals, including larger, metropolitan hospitals, are opting for such arrangements. This is due in large part to the significant cost savings achieved by having highly skilled and experienced nurses coming from outside organizations, as opposed to hiring and training nurses in-house.

However, while these cost saving measures may be attractive to hospitals, they often come at the expense of the nurses themselves. In some cases, the pay rate provided to the nurses is significantly lower than what they would typically receive in similar roles in the past. In addition, personal organizations do not always provide the same level of benefits and security as long-term hospital employment.

Ultimately, while hospitals contracting with outside staffing companies can save them money in the short-term, it is important to remember that those cost savings come with potential risks and ethical considerations. It is essential that the human cost be taken into account when considering such arrangements. The healthcare industry must ensure that its nurses are adequately compensated for their services and are given proper job security.