The modern healthcare industry faces a serious challenge: the demand for skilled and qualified healthcare workers is outpacing the pool of available candidates. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13 percent growth in healthcare jobs from 2021 to 2031, adding about 2 million new positions. However, the supply of qualified candidates isn’t keeping up, leading to the rise of self-help staffing platforms for quick and efficient hiring.
These platforms, while convenient, pose risks due to limited pre-hire interactions, making it hard to thoroughly vet applicants. This increases the risk of hiring individuals with undisclosed criminal backgrounds, or ongoing criminal behavior, compromising patient safety and trust. Continuous Workforce Screening‒essentially a perpetual background check‒with 24/7 national coverage is essential to mitigate this risk.
The Scope of Healthcare-Related Crime
Healthcare-related crime encompasses a range of offenses, including diversion of drug supplies, patient abuse, theft, fraud, and identity theft. The impact of these crimes is significant:
- Diversion of Drug Supplies: The U.S. Department of Justice reports that drug diversion by healthcare workers is a growing problem, contributing to the opioid crisis and endangering patient care.
- Patient Abuse: According to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, approximately 10 percent of older adults experience some form of abuse, with healthcare workers being a notable group of perpetrators.
- Theft and Fraud: The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association estimates that healthcare fraud costs the U.S. tens of billions of dollars annually. This includes fraudulent billing and theft of medical supplies and equipment.
- Identity Theft: Medical identity theft is a serious issue, with the Ponemon Institute estimating that it affected 2.3 million Americans in 2021, leading to significant financial losses and compromised patient records.
The Necessity of Continuous Workforce Screening
Continuous Workforce Screening is essential to mitigate these risks. Traditional background checks, conducted at the time of hiring, fail to identify ongoing risks. Personal, financial, or domestic crises can occur in anyone’s life. Every healthcare facility needs to be aware of even rare incidents indicating an employee is currently engaging in conduct resulting in criminal charges. PostHire ensures that employers are immediately informed of any new incidents that could impact patient safety and the facility’s reputation.
PostHire’s Continuous Workforce Screening system exemplifies this proactive approach.
PostHire offers unsurpassed coverage with the most up-to-date and data-rich continuous workforce screening platform. With national 24/7 coverage of court records and arrest records, PostHire ensures that employers receive timely notifications within hours of an employee’s apprehension and prosecution for a crime anywhere in the nation. This service is invaluable for hospitals, research centers, staffing agencies, and credential validation services, providing them with the necessary tools to maintain a safe and secure environment.
The Value of Continuous Workforce Screening
Given the breadth and impact of healthcare-related crime, no healthcare facility or staffing provider can afford to compromise on background screening. PostHire’s Continuous Workforce Screening serves as a critical line of defense in protecting patients, healthcare facility assets, and the community’s trust.
PostHire’s screening system offers several key advantages:
- Real-Time Alerts Immediate notification of any criminal activity involving an employee ensures that healthcare facilities can take swift and appropriate action.
- Comprehensive Coverage: With national reach, PostHire’s system covers all jurisdictions, ensuring that no incident goes unnoticed.
- Enhanced Safety and Security: Continuous screening helps maintain a safe environment for patients and staff, reducing the risk of harm and legal liabilities.
- Regulatory Compliance: Many healthcare facilities are required by law to conduct regular background checks. Continuous screening ensures compliance with these regulations, avoiding potential fines and penalties.
- Reputation Management: The reputation of a healthcare facility is paramount. Continuous Workforce Screening helps protect against the negative publicity and loss of trust that can result from hiring or continuing to employ individuals involved in criminal activity.
By offering real-time alerts and comprehensive coverage, PostHire enables healthcare facilities to respond quickly to a worker’s relevant legal trouble wherever it occurs in the U.S.
Continuous Workforce Screening is not just a best practice—it is an essential component of a comprehensive approach to healthcare staffing that prioritizes patient safety, protects valuable resources, and preserves the trust of the communities they serve.
It is never too late to learn about your employees’ risky criminal activity.
A safer workspace starts with one conversation.
For a free 90-day look back at your employee’s recent criminal activity, contact Peter Collins, Chief Revenue Officer at peter@posthire.com.
