API Healthcare Offers Insight Into the Impact of 2013 Presidential Election on Nation’s Healthcare Workforce

Many Changes Ahead in Already Rapidly Evolving Industry

API Healthcare Offers Insight Into the Impact of 2013 Presidential Election on Nation’s Healthcare Workforce

<0> API HealthcareLynn Duran, 678-571-0116 (mobile) </0>

API Healthcare, the leader in healthcare-specific workforce management technology, today provided insight into the impact of the 2013 Presidential election on the future of the healthcare workforce in America. “The Affordable Care Act is now solidly in place and its impact will continue to ripple across the industry in 2013 causing healthcare delivery organizations to pay particular attention to their investment in their workforce,” said J.P. Fingado, president and chief executive officer.

The comprehensive healthcare reforms scheduled to roll out over the next four years are certain to create significant challenges in healthcare delivery. According to The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP together accounted for 21 percent of the U.S. fiscal year budget in 2011, or $769 billion. To minimize the financial burden on states of the Medicaid expansion, the federal government will pay nearly 93 percent of the cost of expanding Medicaid over the next nine years. This comprises an estimated $931 billion between 2014 and 2022, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Regardless of the reconfiguration of healthcare, it will add approximately 13.9 million new patients in an already flooded marketplace. The growth of the aging population in the U.S. will also increase demands placed on the healthcare industry. A confluence of these additional patients joining the marketplace during an ongoing nursing shortage creates a domino effect.

“With an expanding number of insured, healthcare systems must focus on resource optimization to keep labor costs in line, while taking better control of productivity,” said Fingado. “With a record number of API Healthcare client implementations this year to date, we are seeing a clear shift in information technology focus as clients prepare to face these challenges with innovative technology to optimize their investment in their most valuable resources – their employees.”

“Healthcare-specific workforce management solutions, such as those offered by API Healthcare, help track the organizational aspects of patient care, such as staffing and scheduling, patient acuity, and real-time analytics. This allows caregivers more time to provide soft skills, such as holistic care and relationship-based interaction. These items are so important for optimum recovery,” said Karlene Kerfoot, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, vice president of nursing at API Healthcare.

Kerfoot anticipates an industry stabilization that incorporates more skilled nursing staff into the patient care matrix across the continuum. “Regardless of the changes in healthcare, expert nurse staffing based on evidence will continue to be emphasized and has proven to improve patient care and satisfaction.”

The Accountable Care Organizations created under the Affordable Care Act will help to expand the range of care each patient receives. From ancillary providers such as home healthcare organizations to pharmacists – all play an important role in improving quality of care while managing costs. “API Healthcare is committed to developing technology solutions that help healthcare providers connect the right caregivers to patients to proactively provide superior care,” added Fingado.

API Healthcare () is the largest healthcare-specific vendor focused on workforce management solutions for the healthcare industry. Driven by the mission to elevate quality and performance across the healthcare community through innovative workforce solutions and services, API Healthcare has been dedicated to the healthcare industry for 30 years. The company’s staffing and scheduling, patient classification, human resources, talent management, payroll, time and attendance, business analytics, and staffing agency solutions are used by more than 1,600 hospitals and staffing agencies. Founded in 1982, API Healthcare has been rated by KLAS in the Top 20 Best in KLAS Awards Report () as the top time and attendance provider system for the last ten years (2002-2011).

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, “ Revised August 13, 2012

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, “By and Updated March 28, 2012

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