Juan F. Luis Hospital Sees Decline in Use of Traveling Nurses, Continues to Offer Vital Services at Original Site

Douglas Koch, the Chief Executive Officer of St. Croix’s Juan F. Luis Hospital, recently shared an encouraging update with the Territorial Hospitals Governing Board. Koch’s announcement highlighted a successful initiative to decrease the hospital’s dependence on traveling nurses and contract workers, marking a significant stride towards enhancing operational efficiency and patient care quality.

During his presentation, Koch revealed that the hospital has reduced its traveling agency staff from 49 to 17, thanks to a vigorous recruitment drive that filled 13 Registered Nurse positions and several other vacancies. This achievement aligns with the hospital’s strategic goal to fortify its workforce with permanent, in-house talent, particularly in nursing and other critical areas.

Despite the progress, Koch acknowledged the ongoing need for traveling medical professionals, especially in specialized fields such as imaging and surgical services. He emphasized the hospital’s commitment to attracting and recruiting talent for these roles to further minimize reliance on external staffing solutions.

Koch also touched upon a nationwide assessment of service standards, revealing areas of opportunity for the hospital to elevate patient care and satisfaction. Despite providing quality care, JFL faces challenges with public perception and service areas like outpatient services and emergency room operations. He specifically pointed out the impact of longer wait times in the emergency room, attributed to a limited number of trauma bays and the extensive use of emergency services for primary care by patients, which adversely affects patient experiences.

In terms of infrastructure developments, Koch mentioned a slight delay in the opening of the clinical administrative building at JFL North due to a water leak. However, optimism remains high with the expectation that the new administrative center will be operational within the next 45 days.

Koch also provided updates on the transition of certain healthcare services to new locations. Outpatient radiology services, including bone densitometry, mammography, and breast ultrasound, are in the process of being relocated to the Cardiac Center, a move anticipated to be completed within the next four months. Additionally, plans are underway for the outpatient dialysis service to move to a new facility, with design work currently in progress and further updates expected soon.

The board meeting concluded with an executive session, allowing board members to discuss human resources and procurement matters in private, ensuring focused deliberation on strategic decisions and operational enhancements.

This update from the CEO of Juan F. Luis Hospital underscores the institution’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare delivery, staff efficiency, and patient satisfaction, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of health and wellness in the community.