Revolutionizing locum tenens – a staffing case study

Locums staffing is a critical component of healthcare operations, but it often comes with challenges like low fill rates, unpredictable costs, and inefficient processes. By leveraging the latest technology, industry expertise, and a collaborative approach, the right MSP can streamline workflows, ensure compliance, and ultimately help healthcare providers focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional patient care.

At Syncx, our leaders have spent over 30 years in the locums staffing industry, working both within and alongside some of the largest staffing companies. This experience gave us a deep understanding of the pain points healthcare organizations face—and inspired us to create a better way forward. Syncx solutions were built to address these challenges head-on, offering a modern, transparent, and results-driven approach to locums staffing.

In this staffing case study, we’ll explore how Syncx partnered with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) to tackle their locums challenges and deliver measurable results. From improving fill rates to reducing costs, this story highlights the real-world impact of a well-designed MSP program.

Our staffing solutions & process

Our goal is to positively change the way locum staffing is executed. Each of our unique staffing solutions—Syncx MSP, Syncx Perm ATS, Syncx Float Pool—works on its own, or can seamlessly integrate to address more comprehensive staffing needs.

But our process starts with prioritizing relationships with small, minority- and women-owned businesses to create a more accessible and equitable process. It’s our alternative to the monopoly status quo—ensuring you always have a choice and voice. And it’s what drew UPMC to partner with us.

Locum staffing case study: UPMC

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is the largest non-governmental employer in Pennsylvania, and they were struggling with physician staffing shortages.

They tried solving the issue the way many hospitals do: spending a lot of money with larger locum tenens agencies to fill gaps as they popped up. It was reactive, costly and, frankly, not sustainable.

They needed a better, longer-term solution. One that would keep costs under control without letting critical services lines go understaffed. They needed Syncx

Implementation and early success

1. It began in October of 2021, with the launch of UPMC’s internal locum float pool program with Syncx. This streamlined and automated the internal locum process, creating an organization-wide view of available physicians accessible on any device at any time.
2. Building on this success, in January of 2022 UPMC transitioned all external/agency locums to the Syncx MSP. This became instrumental in controlling costs by allowing the organization to standardize rates, contract terms, and locum and department usage.
3. The integration of internal float pool and external locum data let UPMC make more strategic decisions about filling shifts. But where two is great, three is better. So, later that same year, UPMC made it a trifecta with the launch of the Syncx Perm ATS to manage permanent hiring. All three solutions are centralized on an intuitive management platform.

Achieved $7M+ in total cost savings in 2023–almost double 2022 cost savings

Ongoing benefits by the numbers

In the end, partnering with Syncx for their float pool, MSP, and ATS allowed UPMC to lower costs, improve visibility, and simplify staffing.

• 98% of all locums successfully transitioned to the locums management program
• Achieved $7M+ in total cost savings in 2023–almost double 2022 cost savings
• Saved an additional 5-10% on average bill rates, compared to the industry overall
• Internal locums worked 18% more shifts per provider than when working through an agency, resulting in savings for travel costs, credentialing costs, and new provider orientation costs
• Staffed 695 unique clinicians in 2023
• Improved reporting for shift count and spend by region, provider, facility, specialty, and vendor
• Achieved visibility into future spend for more accurate planning and budgeting
• Embraced rate tools to better market trends and ensure competitive, yet aligned locum compensation

Ready to blaze a new staffing trail?

We can help you achieve amazing staffing results just like we did for UPMC. Reach out to us anytime to see how our solutions can revolutionize your workforce management process.