​RETHINKING TURNOVER IN HEALTHCARE
Continuity of care is a cornerstone of effective healthcare delivery. Patients benefit from consistent relationships with providers who understand their history, needs, and treatment plans. Yet across the healthcare system, workforce instability continues to challenge this continuity, creating disruptions that impact both patient outcomes and operational performance.
Turnover in healthcare is often viewed as an unavoidable reality. Staffing shortages, burnout, and shifting workforce demands have made it increasingly difficult for facilities to maintain consistent provider coverage. However, the effects of this instability extend beyond staffing gaps. Frequent turnover can lead to fragmented care, increased administrative burden, and reduced efficiency across clinical and operational teams.
For patients, the impact is significant. Changes in providers can disrupt treatment plans, delay decision making, and reduce trust in the care process. For healthcare organizations, instability creates ongoing cycles of recruitment, onboarding, and training, diverting resources away from patient care and long term planning.
At Millbrook Support Services, we believe continuity of care begins with stability in the workforce. This requires more than simply filling positions. It requires a thoughtful approach to provider experience, alignment, and long term engagement.
Many of our government contracts are structured with a base year and four option periods, often extending to five years of performance. This long-term framework creates an opportunity—and a responsibility—to prioritize workforce continuity from day one. Our focus is not just on meeting immediate staffing needs, but on building and sustaining teams that can deliver consistent care over the full life of a contract.
When contracts are recompeted, we take a proactive approach to re-winning incumbent work by offering best value to the government—not only through competitive pricing, but through the demonstrated strength and continuity of our existing workforce. Retaining experienced providers who are already integrated into the care environment helps preserve institutional knowledge, maintain patient trust, and minimize disruption.
For newly awarded contracts where an incumbent workforce is already in place, we apply the same philosophy. We actively engage and support incumbent staff, creating pathways for them to transition and remain on contract under our management. This approach helps ensure continuity of care, supports provider stability, and allows patients and facilities to benefit from uninterrupted service.
Supporting providers effectively is key to improving retention. Clear communication, streamlined onboarding, and ongoing operational support help ensure that providers can focus on delivering care rather than navigating administrative challenges. When providers feel supported and set up for success, they are more likely to remain in their roles and contribute to a stable care environment.
Alignment also plays a critical role. Matching providers to roles that fit their skills, experience, and preferences helps reduce turnover and improve performance. When providers are placed in environments where they can succeed, both the provider and the facility benefit from greater consistency and stronger outcomes.
Program management and operational infrastructure further reinforce workforce stability. Coordinated scheduling, proactive workforce planning, and consistent communication across stakeholders help reduce gaps in coverage and prevent last minute disruptions. These systems ensure that staffing is not only responsive, but sustainable.
The benefits of workforce stability extend across the entire healthcare system. Providers are able to build stronger relationships with patients, teams operate more efficiently, and organizations can focus on delivering high quality care rather than constantly managing turnover.
“Stability in the workforce is essential to delivering consistent, high quality care,” says James L. Paterek, CEO of Millbrook Support Services. “When providers are supported and aligned with the right opportunities, it creates a stronger foundation for both patient outcomes and operational success.”
As healthcare continues to evolve, organizations must look beyond short term staffing solutions and focus on building systems that support long term stability. By prioritizing provider experience, alignment, and operational coordination—and by committing to continuity across the full lifecycle of every contract—healthcare systems can strengthen continuity of care and improve outcomes for the communities they serve.
Millbrook, supporting providers to ensure care remains consistent, reliable, and patient centered.
​​​About the Author
James L. Paterek is the Chief Executive Officer of Millbrook Support Services, a nationwide healthcare staffing and workforce solutions company with offices throughout the U.S. Millbrook, a Joint Commission–certified and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), supplies physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, and allied health professionals to government, education, corrections, and commercial clients across North America. Millbrook is also a GSA-Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) 621 I contract holder for Professional & Allied Healthcare Staffing Services, with coverage across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
