HAP Blog

I was among the contingent from HAP at this year’s American Hospital Association Annual Meeting, which provided a forum for us all to come together to discuss the challenges we face in health care. We know we have a lot of hard work ahead.

Hospitals all over the nation are juggling dozens of challenges at once, with inpatient units near capacity and emergency departments often overcrowded. We’re maintaining everyday operations while trying to stay ahead of a novel virus. Then, there are the staffing shortages.

Emergency Management, just as other professional jobs in the U.S., is experiencing resource and talent shortages. The perceived value of emergency management has never been higher, which may be adding to the potential resource shortage as is the fact that many facilities are looking to build new or augment existing capabilities. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived last year, I remember my phone ringing off the hook as hospital leaders asked a simple question.

“How will we secure our supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) amid an unprecedented wave of global demand?”

Business continuity no longer means just focusing on your facilities; your focus also needs to include your employees’ at-home safety.

As we head into the last quarter of 2020, health care systems and workforce throughout Pennsylvania continue to show amazing resilience.