Healthcare Access and Long-Term Care Challenges in Hawaii
Hawaii’s population is aging faster than anywhere else in the U.S. This ongoing series explores the implications of aging in a state with one of the highest costs of living, a significant shortage of health care providers and an out-migration of younger people.
The Crisis of Long-Term Care Capacity
One in 10 hospital beds in Hawaii is occupied by a patient who can’t be discharged because there isn’t space for them at a post-acute care facility, such as an assisted living center or nursing home. According to the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, these “waitlisted” patients can languish for days, weeks and sometimes years in hospitals — and the average time they spend there is getting longer.
The following data illustrates the growing wait times and existing capacity in the state:
| Metric | Data Point |
|---|---|
| Average hospital wait (November) | 78 days |
| Average hospital wait (May) | 123 days |
| Longest recorded patient stay | 720 days |
| Nursing home beds in Hawaii | 4,323 |
| Assisted living beds in Hawaii | 2,593 |
The issue has wide-ranging implications for hospitals, communities and the patients themselves. Most notably, it strains hospital capacity, already limited in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. It also hurts the bottom line as hospitals often must absorb the cost of holding patients — which can be about $1,200 or more per day — after their insurance runs out.
Addressing Staffing Shortages: Career Opportunities
Experts say there isn’t enough staff in the state’s long-term care facilities to meet patient demand. To address these needs, QNHCH is Hiring Physician Practice Assistants! Queen’s North Hawai’i Community Hospital is searching for physician practice assistants. If you or someone you know is a medical assistant or nurse aide and wants a job where you get to care for your community, come join the Queen’s North Hawai’i Community Hospital ‘ohana!
Key information regarding these openings includes:
- Openings are available in our Primary Care, Women’s Center, Cardiology, Surgery and Cancer Center clinics.
- New hires are eligible for a $2,000 signing bonus!
- Visit www.queens.org/careers to apply today or call 881-4410.
Patient and Visitor Guidelines at Queen’s Medical Center
Our entire ohana, our family, is dedicated to providing you with the highest quality care and exceptional service. At Queen’s, we value the important role that family and friends have in our patients’ wellbeing. We remain committed to partnering with patients and loved ones to deliver outstanding care.
Currently, the following visitor policies are in effect:
- Visiting hours are from 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
- Our visitor policy allows up to two (2) visitors at a time.
- Visitors must be 12 years old and older.
- Visitors are no longer required to wear masks, unless required by the patient’s specific illness (transmission-based precaution).
- COVID patients are not allowed to have visitors (exceptions may be made for beginning of life and end of life care).
- Visitors are not permitted to eat in patient rooms and may not bring food or drink into patient rooms.
Note: Individuals with symptoms of COVID are not allowed to visit, and visitors with respiratory symptoms should not come to the hospital.