Dr. Toyosi Olutade, Chief Medical Officer for UnityPoint Health Trinity, says last year, people put off routine health care. So currently, health care systems are dealing with pent-up demand. Even large health care organizations are shuffling patients and beds.
The doctor wishes he could say employees are doing very well, but in reality, they're tired. Many employees who planned to retire in a few years have decided to retire early. He says there are a limited number of nurses, respiratory therapists, and others to hire. And the number of employees leaving the health care is higher than the number coming in.
Olutade says everyone who works at the hospital is stressed out. Not just doctors and nurses, but also secretaries, clerks, lab and x-ray technicians, therapists, housekeepers, food service workers, and maintenance personnel.