At Shannon, it’s important to us that we collaborate with and listen to our community, as well as share how we are continually evolving, to enhance services and meet the needs of the people we serve. On September 17, 2024, our organization hosted a public meeting regarding its Certificate of Public Advantage (COPA). Shannon provided an overview of the many positive changes and new services since the integration of the South Campus. This meeting was open to anyone within the Shannon service area, and participants had the opportunity to share oral and written comments. There were approximately 22 attendees at the public forum.
Shannon has addressed the items presented in the public comments in the response below. All attendees that submitted oral and/or written comments and provided an email address will also receive a copy of the response by email.
Staffing
As of the date of acquisition in 2020, the total workforce combined between both entities was 3,709. As of September 30, 2024, there are a total of 4,647 employees across the Shannon system.
Staffing shortages are not unique to Shannon, and the Shannon leadership continuously works to develop programming and benefits to meet the needs of the Shannon workforce. Additionally, short term travelers are contracted to help fill open positions and offset staffing needs.
To further support recruiting efforts and address staffing needs, Shannon offers a tuition assistance program that will annually invest dollars to support future healthcare professionals. This program is available to local/regional students for these identified clinical professions.
Access to Care
An internal team of leaders currently reviews access data on a monthly basis. This team is reviewing timeliness of new patients getting into specialty departments based on specified metrics. Based on the data reviewed, strategies are developed related to recruitment and staffing needs by specialty. One current strategy is accessing the options to augment physician access in specific specialty areas through virtual health. In addition, the development of patient navigators continues to expand to further support patients and their continuity of care. The patient navigators also connect patients to discuss plans for treatment options and provide further support for patient care needs.
There is a feature as part of the electronic medical record system known as On My Way that is utilized in the Shannon Urgent Care centers to communicate with patients so they can register and wait elsewhere, as well as receive updates regarding their place in line and arrival times.
