Many people outside the healthcare profession may not readily recognize that there are peak seasons when healthcare facilities experience a higher-than-normal number of patients. Winter and winter viruses, such as the flu, cause a surge in activity in hospitals, urgent care centers, and doctors’ offices throughout the country. Another peak season for providers is summer, when increased outdoor activity brings everything from sprains and broken bones to respiratory illnesses and allergic reactions. And the end of the year means appointments and procedures before deductibles rise again.
That’s why it is so important to prepare for staff shortages in peak seasons. As patients flood waiting rooms, and places like nursing facilities see a rise in rapidly spreading viruses, healthcare organizations must have nursing staff to care for their patients. Here, we provide a 2025 checklist to ensure you’re proactive and able to rise to the peak seasons’ demands.
Analyze Data to Forecast and Plan Ahead
Review last year’s data to predict seasonal spikes and trends. By analyzing the data from prior years, you can prepare to meet the staff demand by proactively recruiting, partnering with a staffing agency, and encouraging staff to meet demands through incentives like future PTO or bonuses.
Build Your Talent Pool
Increase your on-call and per diem staff to ensure coverage when spikes in patient needs occur. Not only does this practice help cover the gaps, but it also helps with flexibility during those high-demand times. Again, partner with a staffing agency or actively recruit retired or part-time healthcare workers for your peak seasons.
Incentivize Current Healthcare Staff
Promote incentives such as shift differentials, bonuses, and additional PTO for those willing to take on extra shifts. But proceed with caution. When demand is high, so is the potential for stress, which may lead to burnout.
Get Ahead of Burnout
It’s very easy when it’s “all hands on deck” to lose sight of the needs of your staff. Don’t fall to offer support during this critical time. Offer wellness programs, mental health resources, including wellness retreat days for teams, even something as minor as a well-stocked break room and lunch courtesy of management, can boost morale.
Train Staff for Adaptability
In order to better address surges in patient needs during peak seasons, cross-train employees in multiple roles, as long as it’s in their professional capacity. For example, over-taxed nurses can offload some of the responsibility that CNAs are equipped to handle. Paperwork and data entry tasks can be shouldered by administrative personnel. When everyone works together to handle the smaller tasks, patient care remains strong and at the forefront of your healthcare organization.
Use Technology to Your Advantage
Technology-driven solutions enhance organization and workflow all the time, not just during peak seasons. You should be utilizing your automated scheduling, remote patient monitoring, telehealth options, and more in an effort to prepare for staffing shortages during peak seasons. Telehealth appointments and remote monitoring also slow the spread of viruses during the cold and flu season and help keep your most vulnerable patients safe.
Expect the Unexpected
Even the most precise and proactive planning will encounter unexpected bumps in the road. Your staff may fall to the very viruses you see during peak seasons, particularly difficult health crises (hello, Covid) can hasten the inevitable burnout that comes from high-demand scenarios. Anticipate emergency staff shortages and plan accordingly. Partnering with BOS Medical Staffing helps prevent staff shortages during even the most unanticipated peak seasons and medical crises. We provide healthcare workers who are fully vetted and ready to hit the ground running, sparing your facility any critical staffing shortages.
Let Us Help
For more information on how your healthcare organization can prepare for staffing shortages in peak seasons in 2025 and beyond, please contact BOS Medical Staffing.
