Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workforce topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hospital reports new NP and incoming MD, sonographers to help clear imaging backlog
Summary
Staff said a new nurse practitioner (Susan Wells) has started, an MD arrives in September, and traveling sonographers will begin on Monday to address a month-long cardiac sonography backlog; telehealth and CT cardiac CTA are being used as partial alternatives.
Hospital staff told the committee that primary-care staffing is improving: Susan Wells, a nurse practitioner, began work a couple of weeks ago and a new MD is scheduled to start in September. Staff said a locum will overlap with the new MD for several weeks to help reduce backlog.
The committee heard that the cardiac sonography service has been short-staffed for about a month while a sonographer is on leave. "We do have sonographers that will be coming up starting Monday," the presenter said, and staff noted they must clear Alaska State background checks before travelers can work on-site. The hospital said telehealth and a new CT cardiac CTA help provide some cardiac diagnostic capability when echo is unavailable.
Members discussed medevac capacity and logistics for transferring high-acuity patients off-island when necessary. Staff said medevac timing depends on plane availability (Guardian, Airlift Northwest), weather and patient type; newborn transport protocols differ by provider.
