Jackson Healthcare Returns Antibiotic Production from China To US
USAntibiotics, Only US Manufacturer of Amoxicillin, ‘Can Meet 100% of the Nation’s Demand’
(Edited from Jackson Healthcare news release, 8/30/2021)
USAntibiotics, the sole licensed American maker of penicillin-based Amoxicillin and Amoxil Clavulanate, the popular antibiotics commonly known as Amoxil® and Augmentin®, today reopened its Bristol, TN, manufacturing facility, which had slipped into bankruptcy and ceased operations last year. The event marks the first time the facility is under American ownership.
When the 360,000-square-foot facility comes online fully, it can produce 300 million capsules and two billion tablets annually. The factory can manufacture and stockpile a five-year supply of Amoxicillin for the United States, supplying the entire US strategic stockpile.
Amoxicillin comprises 30% of all antibiotics prescribed in the United States each year. USAntibiotics will be the only American company able to manufacture it.
At full capacity, the facility in Bristol, TN, will be able to meet 100% of the nation’s current demand for Amoxicillin annually — representing a complete reversal of the current situation where every dose is sourced from outside the USA.
“As the first doses of USAntibiotics’ life-saving drugs move down the assembly line, America will have declared its independence from Chinese antibiotics,” said Rick Jackson, founder, CEO, and chairman of Jackson Healthcare, which purchased the Bristol facility from bankruptcy earlier this year. “Our mission is to solve our nation’s reliance on foreign Amoxicillin and create a secure stockpile that will stand the test of time. Beginning today, the United States is back in the business of essential medicines.”
Jackson Healthcare (JH) President Shane Jackson said that before JH acquired USAntibiotics, his company heard stories of dedicated people who worked without pay to keep the plant operating while it was in bankruptcy.
“When we heard about the selflessness of these individuals, we knew the company would be a perfect addition to the Jackson Healthcare family,” Jackson said. “Their dedication to making the vital medications Americans need, even in the face of adversity, is inspiring and demonstrates their commitment to solving the supply-chain challenges long-term.”
All News Is Locums
Floyd Lee Locums Named in Top 1,000 of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies
(Edited from Floyd Lee Locums news release, 8/17/2021)
Inc. magazine has listed Floyd Lee Locums at number 925 on its annual Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The four-year-old company is the highest-ranking healthcare staffing agency listed.
“It’s humbling to be recognized by the Inc. 5000 in our first year of eligibility,” Floyd Lee Locums CEO Natasha Lee said. “As a nationally focused, healthcare staffing firm, we recognize how challenging the pandemic has been. I’m proud of how our team has handled the past 18 months.”
Lee noted that, while other companies were cutting pay or staff, Floyd Lee Locums was building its workforce and executive team. “Where others took away benefits or furloughed employees, Floyd Lee made consultants available to hospitals 24/7 through weekends and holidays,” she said. “This dedication to the healthcare industry is reflected in the financial results recognized by the Inc. 5000 list.”
Among the 5,000, the average median three-year growth rate soared to 543 percent, and median revenue reached $11.1 million. Together, those companies added more than 610,000 jobs over the past three years.
“Building one of the fastest-growing companies in America in any year is remarkable. Building one in the crisis we’ve lived through is just plain amazing,” Inc. Editor-in-Chief Scott Omelianuk said.
Complete Inc. 5000 results — including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria — can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 20.
COVID-19 and Coverage: 9 Tips to Avoid ‘Surge’ Staffing Challenges
(Edited from Cross Country Locums blog post, 8/10/2021)
Maintaining sufficient staffing during continuing COVID-19 surges ranks among the top challenges facing many healthcare-facility administrators these days. Based on shifting staffing patterns we’ve observed, Cross Country Locums offers some insight for decision-makers.
While the supply of providers is tightening against increasing demand, physicians and advanced practice providers who are ready to help continue reaching out.
“The response we’ve received from medical professionals ready to support facilities has been inspirational to us. It’s during times like these that doing what we do feels incredibly motivating,” Cross Country Locums President Karen Mote said during a recent staff meeting. “Now, more than ever, we are committed to ensuring our clients and medical professionals know we are focused, committed, and actively doing our part to ensure facilities have the coverage they sorely need at this time.”
For Administrators’ Consideration
While none of us can predict the outcome of the current coronavirus outbreak with great certainty, we can reasonably expect that demand will continue to outpace supply. With that in mind, here are some suggestions for healthcare administrators to consider as they navigate the pandemic:
- Use locum assignments to fill vacancies, to cover quarantines, and to avoid overworking existing staff.
- Submit your coverage requests for the next 3-6 months to your staffing agency as soon as possible.
- Fill crisis roles first.
- Look to fill roles with providers who are based locally, as many are increasingly hesitant about traveling.
- Be prepared to offer providers compensation commensurate with the surge in demand and limited supply.
- Be open to revising terms, such as extension and renewal bonuses, guaranteed hours, etc.
- Be ready to make fast hiring decisions.
- Streamline your documentation and training processes to ensure rapid onboarding of new providers.
- Familiarize yourself with your state’s requirements for licensure and privileging waivers, if any.
We are ready to help. We have implemented a strategic business continuity plan to ensure you have the support you need. Contact us to learn more about our plan, or to discuss critical needs for your facility.
The Healthcare Staffing Story
CHG Healthcare Makes PEOPLE Magazine/Great Place to Work’s 2021 List of Companies that Care
(Edited from CHG news release via PR Newswire, 9/1/2021)
PEOPLE magazine and Great Place to Work (GPW) have honored CHG Healthcare among its “2021 PEOPLE Companies that Care.” The list recognizes “companies that care about their people and the places where they live and work,” as assessed by PEOPLE and GPW (the latter recently acquired by UKG Inc., a leading global provider of human capital management solutions).
“CHG Healthcare believes in putting people first,” CHG Healthcare CEO Scott Beck said. “That starts with taking care of our employees, who, in turn, take care of our healthcare providers. All of these efforts lead to millions of patients receiving care each year.”
CHG also focuses on giving back to the community, donating thousands of volunteer hours each year to local nonprofits and participating in medical and humanitarian efforts around the world, the company noted.
Tools to Try/News to Use
Next Level Exchange: Get Inside Your Client’s Head
(Edited from Becker’s Hospital Review)
Thu, Sep 9, 2021 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT
If you don’t know where your client is in their decision process, there’s no way you can know where you are in your sales or closing process!
Increase your ability to anticipate and understand how your prospects and clients think when they’re making important decisions about your candidates and the value you add to the process.
This course is designed to help tenured search and staffing consultants improve their consultative techniques for client development. Encourage them to learn the best practices of top billers and niche specialists in the search and staffing industry.
Register here.
How ‘Bout This?
The American Medical Association (AMA) recently released survey results (PDF) indicating that more than 96% of practicing US physicians surveyed were fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with no significant difference in vaccination rates across regions.
Conducted June 3-8, the survey showed a 20% month-over-month increase in fully vaccinated physicians (for COVID-19), compared to a May 2021 Medscape poll.
“Practicing physicians across the country are leading by example, with an amazing uptake of the COVID-19 vaccines,” AMA President Susan R. Bailey, MD, said. “Physicians and clinicians are uniquely positioned to listen to and validate patient concerns, and one of the most powerful anecdotes a physician can offer is that they themselves have been vaccinated. You can take it from your doctor: the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.”
