Kentucky Department of Public Health Provides Guidance on Healthcare Personnel Staffing Shortage Strategies

On December 4, 2020, the Kentucky Department of Public Health (KDPH) published guidance on Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Personnel Staffing Shortages During the COVID-19 Pandemic. The guidance seeks to help Kentucky healthcare providers address staffing shortages due to high rates of COVID-positive or exposed healthcare staff. The guidance offers strategies and a checklist on contingency staffing (for optimization of non-exposed, non-positive staff) and “crisis staffing strategies” for use of exposed or positive staff who are well enough to work. This guidance should be used in coordination with the updated KDPH Guidance for Healthcare Personnel for Work While In COVID-19 Quarantine or Isolation.