A leading academic health system in the Mid-Atlantic faced inefficiencies due to a fragmented locum tenens staffing model. Departments operated independently, causing inconsistent contracts, inflated rates, and administrative burdens. Partnering with Locumsmart, the organization centralized its staffing through a vendor-neutral management system, improving visibility, standardizing processes, and preserving clinical autonomy.
The transformation led to a 3.6% reduction in staffing costs, 22% lower travel expenses, $311K saved in invoice compliance, and a 67% cut in administrative time. This strategic shift aligned clinical operations with financial goals, enhanced workforce planning, and improved overall efficiency across the health system.
Background
A prominent academic medical center in the Mid-Atlantic region—renowned for its specialized care and integrated approach—struggled with a decentralized locum tenens staffing model. Each department independently managed its provider needs, resulting in systemic inefficiencies that hindered performance and cost control.
Key challenges
- Lack of visibility into enterprise-wide locum tenens utilization and spend
- Siloed staffing practices that were misaligned with organizational strategy
- Inconsistent contract terms and rate structures across vendors
- Internal competition between departments for the same providers, inflating rates
- Excessive administrative burden placed on clinical and operational staff
A centralized solution for locum tenens staffing
The organization partnered with Locumsmart to implement a centralized, vendor-neutral management system that addressed operational fragmentation while preserving clinical autonomy.
Achieved outcomes
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Real-time executive visibility into locums usage
Delivered enterprise-wide reporting and analytics for informed decision-making and proactive workforce planning.
Data-driven strategic planning
Enabled leadership to leverage predictive analytics and utilization trends to forecast future staffing needs and reduce overutilization.
Departmental autonomy maintained
Empowered specialty leaders to continue selecting providers while standardizing processes across the system.
Cost savings and operational efficiency
Reduced staffing costs by 3.6% through automated vendor competition, while simultaneously streamlining administrative processes to support scheduling and compliance-verified billing.
Conclusion
The shift from fragmented staffing to a centralized VMS empowered the health system to align clinical operations with financial strategy, reduce waste, and increase workforce agility, while preserving the autonomy that clinical leaders value.
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