Utah's worst nursing shortage ever threatens to worsen when federal reservists join the U.S. action against Iraq. And, some rural communities - already aching for more doctors - could end up with even fewer medical personnel.
"Obviously it will hurt us. Utah has two large Army medical reserve units, one of which has actually set up a hospital in Europe - so they are experienced," said Laura Poe, an executive with the Utah Nurses Association. "If any of those people go, obviously our shortage will get worse."More than 700 Utah medical personnel are attached to 328th General Hospital at Fort Douglas, which the president could activate at any time. Most will likely be called as support personnel, filling in at U.S. installations. If the conflict continues, however, some could see action abroad.
The Navy Reserve in Utah also has medical personnel, some of whom Wednesday were put on 24-hour alert.
Two are members of the nursing faculty at Weber State College.
"They've been told, `It's not if, but when,' " Jerry Hansen, director of Weber's nursing program, said Wednesday. Hansen is a lieutenant colonel in the Army Nurse Corp. and could be called to active duty at any time.
"Between the Navy and Army Reserves and National Guard, the call-up will impact all of Utah's nursing schools, which are already impacted by an under-supply of nursing faculty," Hansen said.
The Utah Nursing Resources Study findings indicate Utah's health-care industry experienced a 13 percent shortage of registered nurses and will suffer a 12 percent shortfall in 1993.
Thanks to advances in medical technology, more registered nurses are needed nationwide. Yet fewer educators are available to teach them.
A recent survey of current and projected needs for faculty in Utah schools of nursing indicates there are 23 positions available in 1989-90 and that 113 new faculty will be required by the year 1994-95.
Meanwhile, three applicants are applying for each educational opening.
"Many of the people involved in the reserves are nurse educators, and we're already short in the field," Poe said. "We can't get the students because of lack of faculty - and this (the gulf crisis) will make the problem even worse."
Utah also has a shortage of allied health professionals - radiology technicians, respiratory therapists and lab assistants. The activation of reservists will further slash their ranks.
Hardest hit will be residents of some rural communities, who easily could find themselves without ample medical care. A few communities, in fact, could lose their physicians.
Some reservists-physicians have one-man medical practices in the Uintah Basin and southern Utah - areas already plagued by a severe physician shortage.
"It would be a great inconvenience for those patients if their doctor had to leave town," said Mark Fotheringham, director of communications, Utah Medical Association.
Because Weber State operates an outreach nurses' education program, the number of nurses in rural areas could dwindle, too.
Paula Julander, a state representative and president of the Utah Nursing Association, hopes the crisis abroad makes Utah legislators aware of the medical crisis that could erupt at home.
"Maybe now the Legislature will look more seriously at funding for nurses in general and particular - more slots for students and more slots for the master degree nurses who will fill those teaching positions."
Additionally, Julander wants more support for nurses to go into the rural health care settings - as well as urban areas, which officials believe will also be affected by the reserve call-up.
"In the Salt Lake metro area there are probably plenty of doctors to take up the slack. But I know a lot of the doctors are concerned how they will arrange for another doctor to provide coverage for their patients if the call comes," Fotheringham said. "It can be done, but it takes some time to set up."