AHA releases guide to help hospitals address workforce challenges

AHA today released the first report in a three-part series that will offer immediate and longer term strategies to help hospital and health system leaders navigate workforce challenges and opportunities. The first report offers strategies and resources to support workforce well-being and behavioral health and prevent workplace violence. Future reports will look at data and technology to support the workforce; and strategies and staffing models to support recruitment, retention, diversity, equity and inclusion. 

“America’s health care workforce is the heart of health care,” said Rick Pollack, AHA president and CEO. “The AHA has sounded the alarm repeatedly that our workforce is in crisis, and the national emergency demands immediate attention from health care leaders and policymakers at every level of government. As part of our ongoing efforts to support the field, we have developed this new guide with strategies and resources that can help hospital and health system leaders navigate these complex challenges.”

The AHA Board of Trustees’ Task Force on Workforce has provided guidance for the series, with input from AHA members. 

“Despite the most trying of circumstances, our health care workforce continues to give of themselves to offer healing and consolation, night and day, day-in and day-out,” said Ron Werft, task force chair and president and CEO of Cottage Health. “There is no higher priority than ensuring that we care for the caregiver, that we make our working environment safe and that we foster the ability for individuals to have joy in their work.”