MUSKEGON, Mich. (Great Lakes News) – Mercy Health Muskegon is addressing long wait times in the emergency room while simultaneously managing patients with 400 fewer staff members.
The hospital says long wait times in the emergency department are partially the result of a higher percentage of patients needing to be admitted; patients stays have increased from 3 to 4 days.
MORE NEWS: Jan. 6 Protester Jake Lang Came to Dearborn Looking For A Fight; He Found Condemnation
Mercy Health Muskegon officials say the entire health care industry is facing a staffing shortage, and its hospital is no exception with 4,000 employees and 400 open positions.
Many of those positions are for nurses.
Hospital officials say staffing agencies are helping, along with retention incentives for current staff. In addition, Mercy Health Muskegon will be offering a college referral incentive program to fill those open jobs.
Throughout the state and the nation, people have left the healthcare profession over COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Others have cited “burnout” as a reason for walking away.
