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Oregon House Bill 2697. What it means not only for hospitals, but pharmacies, and other Healthcare Entities. And not just Oregon.

written by Tom Lukovich, R.Ph.

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Posted on March 17, 2023

It’s no secret that Oregon is a state that makes waves and leads the way with innovative new legislation that creates a ripple effect across the nation. 

Oregon House Bill 2697 is a proposed legislation that seeks to enforce minimum staffing requirements for healthcare provider entities in the state. This bill, if passed, would eventually have far-reaching implications for healthcare organizations, from hospitals to pharmacy chains.

Aimed primarily at the nursing shortage within the hospital system, past histories and influences show the bleed-over effect into new legislation to other healthcare sectors, one of them being primarily the pharmacist, and now pharmacy technician shortage.  The primary concern of these organizations is the potential increase in costs associated with meeting the new staffing requirements. The bill requires hospitals to develop and implement staffing plans that meet certain standards set by the Oregon Health Authority. This could mean hiring more staff or increasing wages for existing staff, which would add to their operational costs. Additionally, failure to comply with the new regulations could result in hefty fines or other penalties.

Another major concern is how this bill may affect patient care. The bill does not specify what kind of staffing plan should be implemented or how many staff members are required for each position. This lack of clarity could lead to confusion among healthcare providers and potentially reduce the quality of care as they try to figure out how best to meet the new requirements without compromising patient safety and satisfaction.

Finally, there is also a concern about how this bill will impact competition among healthcare providers in Oregon. If one organization has higher costs due to increased staffing requirements, it may be at a disadvantage compared to its competitors who can provide similar services at lower prices.

Overall, Oregon House Bill 2697 has raised some serious concerns among healthcare organizations in the state and it remains to be seen whether it will pass or not. It is important that all stakeholders involved are aware of the potential implications of this bill so that they can make informed decisions about its passage or rejection.

As healthcare organizations from hospitals to pharmacy chains expand and modernize, staffing solutions become increasingly complex. With this complexity comes an array of staffing challenges, particularly related to staffing nurses and pharmacists – these are the biggest shortages in the environment.

This is something that healthcare organizations across the United States should be watching closely.

The potential implications of Oregon House Bill 2697 extend beyond Oregon’s borders, as other states may look to implement similar legislation in the future. Healthcare organizations across the United States must consider staffing solutions and staffing plans for the future, and how Oregon House Bill 2697 will affect their operations.

For hospitals and medical centers, staffing nurses may become an even bigger challenge than it already is. The proposed bill would require staffing to increase during peak times, such as weekends and holidays since staffing must be provided for a full week. As staffing needs increase, these organizations may find it difficult to be agile and adjust staffing plans accordingly.

Pharmacy chains could also face staffing challenges due to the bill.

The proposed overtime pay requirement would mean staffing needs need to be increased during holiday periods when staffing is already at a premium. Pharmacy chains also may find themselves incurring additional costs for staffing pharmacists and other staff for longer hours.

It is apparently important to stay informed of the latest developments and new regulations that could potentially affect staffing solutions. By doing so, healthcare organizations will be better positioned to tackle staffing challenges in the future.

So, that’s the pain point.  What is a feasible solution?

Unless you want to rack up OT (not to mention the increased costs of workers comp, unemployment insurance, etc.), Healthcare staffing agencies could be the answer to Oregon House Bill 2697. By connecting staffing candidates with healthcare organizations, staffing agencies can help fill staffing gaps in a timely and cost-effective manner. Staffing agencies are well-versed in Oregon’s employment laws, so they are able to make sure that staffing solutions comply with the bill.

Furthermore, staffing agencies are able to provide staffing solutions for both short-term and long-term staffing needs, such as holiday staffing needs. They can help healthcare organizations find the right staff for their specific staffing needs and ensure that staffing requirements are met in a cost-effective manner. This could be particularly useful when staffing needs increase due to the bill.

By leveraging staffing solutions from staffing agencies, healthcare organizations can ensure needs are met without significantly increasing costs.

This could be a win situation, as healthcare organizations can remain competitive while complying with the proposed overtime pay regulations. Through their expertise in Oregon’s employment laws, staffing agencies will help healthcare organizations find staffing solutions that meet their staffing needs and comply with the bill while keeping staffing costs down. This could be an invaluable asset to organizations that need staffing solutions in order to comply with Oregon House Bill 2697. With staffing agencies, healthcare organizations can find staffing solutions that are both cost-effective and compliant with the bill. By doing so, staffing needs will be met without compromising a healthcare organization’s bottom line.

In conclusion, Oregon House Bill 2697 could have far-reaching implications for staffing solutions in the healthcare industry, and staffing agencies could be a viable solution for healthcare organizations looking to comply with Oregon House Bill 2697 without significantly increasing staffing costs. Healthcare organizations should be aware of the new regulations that could affect staffing and take action to ensure compliance. Staffing agencies can be a valuable asset in this regard, as they are well-versed in Oregon’s employment laws and can provide staffing solutions that meet staffing needs while remaining cost-effective. By taking advantage of staffing solutions provided by staffing agencies, healthcare organizations can remain competitive while complying with the proposed overtime pay regulations.

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