COVID-19 strains health care delivery, OIG reports

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reviewed front-line hospital administrators’ perspectives on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected capacity to care for patients, staff and communities. The review, conducted in February 2021, followed an initial survey performed during the early weeks of the pandemic. The 2021 survey asked administrators questions about their challenges, concerns and need for government support. Respondents reported difficulty balancing the resource-intensive care required for COVID-19 patients with routine hospital care. They also cited challenges related to staff shortages, staff mental health and vaccine distribution and hesitancy. Desired government support included help with staffing gaps, financial relief and support for widespread vaccination efforts. (OIG report, 3/23/21)