Providers struggle with staffing shortages due to COVID-19

YARMOUTH, Maine – HME companies are struggling to maintain business as usual amid the latest wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 42% of respondents to a recent HME Newspoll saying 6% to 10% of their staff is in quarantine. 

Another 23% say 11% to 20% of their staff is in quarantine. 

“Staffing is precarious already, that an absence is devastating to workflow,” wrote one respondent. “We can only care for customers; billing is waiting. Our staff is also very sick and out for two or more weeks.” 

Eighty-seven percent of respondents in January said they were experiencing an increase in the number of staff members who are positive for the virus and must quarantine and stay home. 

Having staff members out of work, even for a week, has a domino effect, respondents say. 

“Call center and service/delivery techs are in jeopardy because of staffing,” wrote Julie Peterson of Handi Medical Supply in St. Paul, Minn. “Customers have to wait longer for their calls to be answered or equipment to be delivered. It’s also taking its toll on the other employees, who are trying to keep up.” 

Respondents don’t expect things to improve anytime soon: 74% say they expect an increase in the number of staff who will be unable to work due to a COVID-19 infection in the coming weeks. 

“I can’t imagine the numbers going down instead of up,” wrote Ryan French of Jim’s Pharmacy in Port Angeles, Wash. “Everyone is supposed to return from quarantine next week, so we’ll see. Scary stuff.” 

The lack of available testing and other issues are making the situation worse, respondents say. 

“Confusing and every changing CDC guidelines on when to allow employees to return to work are not helping,” wrote Bryan Chapman of McAbee Medical in Decatur, Ala.