orm_september-2024 - 1

SEPTEMBER
2024
Volume 40
Number 9
Education and information for OR decision makers
SALARY/CAREER SURVEY
IN THIS ISSUE
INDUSTRY BEATS
Offsite sterilization fuels onsite
efficiency for lean ASCs ................5
Water quality: 5 Ws and an H for
sterile processing pros .................7
Reader's choice: OR am top
read stories ...............................10
SPECIALTY STORIES
Staffing solutions depend on
collaborative, innovative
culture .......................................20
How perioperative staff can
combat human trafficking-
Part 1 ........................................23
Next-Gen Disruptors: Pilot project
takeoff proves promise of AI staff
optimization ...............................26
BY CYNTHIA SAVER
Survey: Staffing woes ease slightly, but
challenges remain
S
urgical volume continues to surge,
but staffing issues are easing
slightly, according to the 2024 OR
Manager Salary/Career Survey.
Nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents
reported increased volume over
the past 12 months, comparable to
67% last year. However, only 28% reported
an increase in open full-time
equivalent (FTE) positions for RNs compared
to 12 months ago. This figure is
down sharply from 45% in 2023. Percentages
for increased turnover rates
over the past 12 months significantly
declined for both RNs and surgical technologists
(STs). Staffing improvements
also are reflected in declining percentages
related to recruiting difficulties
and use of agency/travel staff.
These encouraging trends are tempered
by ongoing challenges. For example,
the percentage of respondents
reporting an increase in open positions
for STs fell by 10 percentage points,
but more than a third (38%) still have
this problem.
Other key survey findings include:
* Recruiting has stabilized or improved
for many respondents.
Continued on page 12
SALARY/CAREER SURVEY
BY CYNTHIA SAVER
Survey: ASC volume rising amid limited
staffing improvement
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S
urgical volume in ASCs continues
to increase, according to the
2024 OR Manager Salary/Career
Survey, but the rise has corresponded
with limited improvements in staffing.
This year, 60% of respondents reported
increased volume, up from 56%
in 2023 and 2022. Leaders often need
more staff to meet volume increase,
and recruitment trends offer a glimmer
of hope. More than half (51%) of ASC
leaders reported recruitment of experienced
RNs is more difficult compared
to 12 months ago, but that is down
from 68% in 2023 and 63% in 2022.
The percentage reporting increased recruitment
difficulty for surgical technologists
(STs) was 52%, down from 69% in
2023 and 58% in 2022. Another positive
sign is that 38% of respondents
currently have no open RN positions,
up from 33% in 2023; and 46% have
no open ST positions, up from 32% last
year. However, given that over half of
respondents report increased difficultly
for both RNs and STs, staffing challenges
remain at the forefront.
Other key survey findings include:
* Compared to 2023, the percentage
of respondents reporting an increase
in open positions was stable
for RNs (40% in 2024 vs 39%) and
STs (44% vs 43%).
Continued on page 6
Continued on page 16
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orm_september-2024

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