July 27, 2022
Pennsylvania hospitals saw staffing costs surge to new highs as they responded to the Omicron-fueled spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations during the first quarter of 2022.
The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council’s (PHC4) latest COVID-19 Disaster Emergency Report found hospitals throughout the commonwealth incurred a combined $202.3 million in additional staffing costs attributable to COVID-19 during January–March 2022. That’s the highest of any quarter since the pandemic began and nearly 25 percent higher than the first quarter of 2021, which had the second-highest spike in staffing costs.
The report—which PHC4 released this week—adds new context to reports of hospitals suffering a devastating first quarter financially. Hospitals throughout Pennsylvania and the nation have seen staffing costs soar as they’ve been forced to increasingly rely on contract labor amid a historic workforce crisis.
Here’s what to know from the latest report:
“The data shows that COVID-19 related costs, due to increased staffing and labor costs continue to increase.” said Barry D. Buckingham, PHC4 executive director.
The report is available online.
Tags: Workforce | COVID-19
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