High cost of living, pension system driving staff shortages at Virgin Islands' hospitals

The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services learned Friday that the territory’s high cost of living, high deductibles for its pension system and ongoing COVID pandemic are factoring into staff shortages at the territory’s hospitals.

The committee also received updates on construction projects, and approved a new council on responsible fatherhood during Friday’s hearing chaired by Sen. Novelle Francis Jr.

“At Schneider Regional Medical Center, we are currently experiencing the most severe staffing shortage ever faced in our organization,” Tina M. Comissiong, interim chief executive officer, testified.

She noted that currently, the hospital has just 83 of the 149 nurses hired as permanent staff working. She listed the following breakdown:

• Emergency Department has just seven of the required 21 permanent registered nurse positions filled.

• Intensive Care Unit has just seven of 15 required permanent registered nurse positions filled.

• Medical Unit has just 11 of 17 permanent registered nurse positions filled.

• Surgical Unit has just 12 of the 20 permanent registered nurse positions filled.

Read more: http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/high-cost-of-living-pension-system-driving-staff-shortages-at-territorys-hospitals/article_49e48f28-e95b-5c50-abc2-fd4288f14d9f.html