Nurses' Comments Prompt Robust Board Discussion on Hiring, On-Boarding, and Retention

Cook County Health (CCH) Board Meeting
July 28, 2023

Four CCH nurses spoke during the public comment period and talked about the continued staffing shortage, its impact on staff safety, and the time it takes to onboard even agency hires.  Several board members asked pointed questions during the presentation from HR Director, Valerie Amos.  Questions included:

1. How long does it take to onboard agency hires:  Ans:  3-4 weeks including orientation to CCH rules, procedures, policies, and methods of operations.
2. Has management communicated with staff nurses about what HR is doing to increase hireing:  Ans:  Yes.  Nursing leadership held a town hall meeting to explain HR hiring process and onboarding process.  

CEO Rocha commented on staff shortage by saying that there is a higher-than-expected patient onboarding.  That and summer vacations led to even more agency hires. A question was asked about planning for System retirements as the average age of nurses is 51.  Amos acknowledged the challenges facing the system and thanked the board for approving increased staffing.  She started with 3 recruiters and now has 10 plus outside consultants to help streamline the process.  Plus the retention bonus that went to 58% of the nursing staff helped keep turnover down this year.  The System expects the recently approved 12 week paid parental leave to benefit recruitment of nurses and other staff.  

The Cook Couty Department of Public Health reported on their 3rd quarter report that focused on the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Program and the Youth Tobacco Ordinance Awareness Program.
Key points highlighted in the STI's Program:  

1. This program covers all of Suburban CC except  for Evanston, Oak Park, Skokie, and Stickney Township which each have their own Public Health Departments.
2. Engages in surveillance, investigation, interviews, partner services [including sending condoms], education, and support.
3. Reportable STI's include Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, HIV, Mpox, and Chancroid.
4. The data indicate that the number of cases of Chlamydia and Syphilis are increasing as are the number of persons living with HIV;  whereas the number of Gonorrhea and new HIV cases are stable.

Compliance with the Youth Tobacco Ordinance
This fall in partnership with the CC Sheriff’s Office, the CC Department of Public Health will conduct random, inspections at locations where tobacco products are sold in unincorporated CC to ensure compliance with the sales restriction on Flavored Nicotine Products.  These restrictions went into effect on July 23, 2023.
 
In CEO Rocha’s monthly report, he noted a $21 million dollar grant for nursing, several awards, upcoming events, and focused on CCH’s Dialysis Success with the goal to move the conversation from kidney disease to kidney health.  The head Nephrologist stated that race is no longer considered a factor.  Weight and gender are the primary factors.

Observer:  Diane Edmundson