Arizona investing additional $60 million to support hospital staffing amidst COVID-19 surge

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The state of Arizona is one of many experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, and while hospitalizations for the coronavirus are down due to ongoing vaccination efforts, the strain is causing staffing challenges in the state's hospitals, prompting Arizona Governor Doug Ducey to announce additional funds for staffing support.

This week, Ducey announced an additional $60 million to support staffing at healthcare facilities that deploy proven techniques to decrease COVID-19 related hospitalizations, including administering monoclonal antibody treatments and offering vaccination at discharge.

The funding, said Ducey, is expected to decrease the stress on existing hospital staff, increase hiring opportunities and decrease the risk of COVID-19 hospitalizations.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

Such hospitalizations represent a significantly lower proportion of hospital patients than in previous coronavirus waves, due largely to the deployment of vaccinations among the most vulnerable populations. 

Despite this, hospitals are experiencing higher numbers of patients than normal. This has led to staffing challenges as doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and other providers are in high demand across the country, and hiring costs for these professionals have increased dramatically. 

The funding is meant to ensure that Arizona hospitals can obtain temporary workers to assist and alleviate stress on existing staff. The funding will be administered by the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Money will be prioritized based on a hospitals' track record of treating COVID-19, including with monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies are designed to block the virus' attachment and entry into human cells, and the treatment can be used for mild to moderate COVID-19 patients. 

When administered early enough, this treatment can dramatically decrease the patient's risk of developing severe coronavirus symptoms. Expanding the use of monoclonal antibody treatment is expected to decrease the rate of hospitalizations and help alleviate pressure on hospitals and staff, according to the governor's announcement.

In January, Tucson Medical Center became the second treatment center nationwide solely focused on administering monoclonal antibodies to help patients avoid severe illness and hospitalization, according to Tucson.com.

Since TMC began the infusions, no patient has had allergic reactions to the medication. Anecdotally, about 1% have been admitted to the hospital, though actual outcome data is not yet available.

THE LARGER TREND

States have employed a variety of tactics to assist short-staffed facilities during the most recent wave of the virus. In Idaho this week, Governor Brad Little directed up to 370 new medical personnel to help out to avoid activating crisis standards of care, with about 150 guardsman mobilized from the Idaho National Guard. 

In addition, 200 additional medical and administrative personnel will be available to Idaho through a contract with the U.S. General Services Administration. And a 20-person Department of Defense medical response team will be deployed to North Idaho, where vaccination rates are among the lowest in the state and where they are experiencing the greatest need.

Staffing shortages are rampant nationwide, as clinicians find jobs outside of hospitals and health systems.

Just this week, the American Nurses Association sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services asking the agency to declare the ongoing nursing shortage a national crisis, citing overwhelmed health systems and burnt out staff.

Getting patients vaccinated has been touted as perhaps the most effective method of reversing this trend. Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave full approval to the first COVID-19 vaccine, with the Pfizer/BioNTech offering getting the nod. The vaccine will be marketed as Comirnaty. The vaccine has been approved for the prevention of COVID-19 for those 16 years old and older.

According to ABC News, following Pfizer's full approval, the U.S saw a 17% increase in the number of Americans getting vaccinated with their first dose.

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: jeff.lagasse@himssmedia.com