University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina Reduces Contract Labor Using Concerro’s ShiftSelect™

Web-based Technology Helps Deploy Staff Where Needed Most Throughout Eight-Hospital Enterprise

SAN DIEGO--()--Concerro, Inc., the market leader in SaaS-based workforce management and emergency response systems that facilitate real-time information access to improve both quality of life and the bottom line, today announced outstanding results achieved at University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina, (UHS) an eight-hospital regional health system serving 29 counties in eastern North Carolina, using Concerro’s workforce management system.

UHS activated ShiftSelect™ in the fall of 2009 at six of the health system’s hospitals to help leverage resources across the enterprise, optimize patient care, reduce contract labor spending and create a more versatile workforce with greater opportunities for work/life balance. The first year’s results from using the system significantly exceeded expectations, with more than 5,000 nurses signing up to use the system, filling nearly 50,000 open shifts across 162 units/departments. Use of contract agency nurses was reduced by nearly 50% from 70 FTEs to 40 FTEs for significant savings over the previous year as a result of using ShiftSelect coupled with targeted efforts by management.

Lynn Lanier, vice president of finance and operations for UHS, commented, “In addition to significant savings and efficiency gains, our staff now feels a stronger connection and commitment to UHS as they exercise greater control over their lives. Ultimately, we have learned that becoming a truly integrated health system is a journey that requires a cultural shift as well as a systemic shift. Choosing Concerro’s workforce management system to help facilitate this journey has become the cornerstone for a stronger and more effective healthcare continuum.”

Since last year, 31% of open shifts have been awarded to staff from other units throughout UHS. As a result of this cultural change among employees, nursing, lab and pharmacy staff members are now moving seamlessly across hospitals and among units/departments.

“UHS is an outstanding example of how Concerro is helping its customers ensure the highest continuity of care for patients in a cost-efficient way,” stated Cindy Watson, chief operating officer of Concerro. “We are very pleased to be successfully helping our customers create sustainable work environments that improve staff satisfaction and quality of life, while reducing labor costs and streamlining the workforce management process.”

About UHS

University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina Inc., a mission-driven, not-for-profit corporation, owns, leases or has a majority membership interest in seven eastern North Carolina hospitals and has a management agreement with one other. UHS includes Albemarle Health, Bertie Memorial Hospital, Chowan Hospital, Duplin General Hospital, Heritage Hospital, Outer Banks Hospital, Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, University Home Health and Hospice; ViQuest; and physician practices and is affiliated with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. On the web at www.uhseast.com.

About Concerro

Concerro is a healthcare Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company that provides healthcare workforce and emergency response and incident management systems that improve both quality of life and the bottom line by reducing costs through optimization rather than reduction. The company has won numerous awards and recognition, including being named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 for three consecutive years, and receiving Red Herring’s 100 most promising private technology ventures in North America and Best of SaaS Showplace (BoSS) awards. To learn more, visit www.concerro.com, or follow Concerro on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Concerro.

Contacts

Concerro
Tara Heiser, 858-875-4700
Director of Marketing
theiser@concerro.com
or
Myla Wagner Public Relations
Myla Wagner, 925-736-7515
myla@mylawagnerPR.com

Release Summary

University Health Systems Reduces Labor Costs with Concerro's ShiftSelect

Contacts

Concerro
Tara Heiser, 858-875-4700
Director of Marketing
theiser@concerro.com
or
Myla Wagner Public Relations
Myla Wagner, 925-736-7515
myla@mylawagnerPR.com