Workforce

<p>This week's top stories include Elizabeth Holmes' conviction on three counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud by lying to investors, and jobs numbers that show healthcare is among the top three industries cited in the rise in monthly "quits rate."</p>

The companies are looking to help healthcare professionals through digital tools and technology, expert says.

The agreement provides staffing improvements, and will allow striking nurses to return to their original posts.

Priority will be given to hospitals with training programs in areas demonstrating the greatest need for providers.

The rule requires all healthcare workers in facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid program to get vaccinated.

This week's top stories include Massachusetts ordering hospitals to reduce nonurgent procedures in response to ongoing staffing issues, and Epic partnering with MapQuest for mapping, navigation and geolocation functionality. 

Other contributing factors include the emergence of new technologies, vaccine mandates and more federal scrutiny of mergers.

The move is due to a critical staffing shortage that has contributed to the loss of approximately 500 medical/surgical and ICU beds.

The organizations are experiencing "unprecedented demand" for inpatient care, leaving many facilities at full capacity.

Not including CARES Act funding, the median change in operating margin was down 12.1% from September to October.