Amber Retzloff, a critical care nurse in Florida, has reported difficulties with her hospital's scheduling software, Timpani, which was developed in partnership with Palantir. Over the past four months, Retzloff requested to work 50 specific 12-hour shifts but found that the software often assigned her to different shifts, leading to mental exhaustion. She noted that the tool does not honor her preferences as effectively as previous manual scheduling by managers.
Retzloff's experience reflects concerns from other nurses at HCA Healthcare, the largest hospital chain in the US, where Timpani has been implemented at around 130 of its 190 locations since 2023. Nurses have expressed dissatisfaction with the tool, stating that it has led to understaffing and increased workloads. They claim that Timpani frequently ignores their requests for specific days off and does not adequately consider their experience levels when scheduling shifts.
Retzloff, who is also a labor union leader, mentioned instances where she was the only senior nurse on duty, which affected patient care. HCA spokesperson Harlow Sumerford stated that nursing leaders, not Timpani, make final scheduling decisions and that the tool is designed to improve staffing efficiency.
Nurses have reported that they are spending more time trying to manage their schedules since the introduction of Timpani, with some feeling that their concerns are not being adequately addressed. Complaints have led to minor updates to the software, but issues persist. The National Nurses United union, representing about 10,000 of HCA's 100,000 nurses, has requested more information about Timpani but claims their requests have been denied.
A lawsuit filed by a former HCA data science manager raised concerns about the data used by Timpani, alleging that it was deleted to prevent proper auditing. Timpani uses algorithmic forecasts to create schedules based on patient volumes and staffing needs, but some nurses feel that the tool has not improved their working conditions.
In addition to HCA, other healthcare providers, such as Rayus Radiology, have also faced complaints regarding scheduling errors linked to Palantir's technology. Some nurses at HCA have expressed a desire for the removal of Palantir's involvement in their scheduling processes, citing increased anxiety and dissatisfaction since the tool's implementation.
While Palantir's sales have increased significantly, the company has faced criticism for its involvement in various sectors, including healthcare. Nurses at HCA continue to voice their concerns about Timpani, with some reporting that it has negatively impacted their work environment and patient care.