The health-care crisis in Washington state is compounded by labor shortages in every health care category, according to a report released Tuesday by the state Health Care Personnel Shortage Task Force.
The state has nearly 7,000 vacancies in health care, not including workplaces that employ fewer than five people.
Last May, at least 90 percent of hospitals had difficulty recruiting highly skilled personnel, such as radiographers, medical lab technologists and occupational therapists, the report said, and long-term care facilities continue to have high vacancy rates.
This situation will not go away any time soon, unless we act now, said Dr. Holly Moore, president of Shoreline Community College, who is chair of the task force.
She said the states aging population, growing numbers of health care workers retiring and other factors will put even more pressure on increasing recruitment.
The report also highlighted progress in the task forces plan to help decrease the shortage.
