Urgent Care Research Articles

Primary care physicians working in rural areas provide a broader scope of practice: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundScope of practice (SoP) is an important factor for primary care physicians (PCPs). One of the strong determinants of SoP is rurality. Although Japan has several rural areas, the SoP in rural areas and the effect of rurality on SoP have not been investigated. This study aimed to describe SoP in Japanese primary care settings and examine the association between rurality and SoP.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included PCPs in Japan. The participants were randomly sampled from the mailing list of the Japan Primary Care Association. The Scope of Practice Inventory (SPI) and Scope of Practice for Primary Care (SP4PC) were used as indicators of SoP. The Rurality Index for Japan (RIJ) was used for rurality. This study compared the number of items of SPI (total score, inpatient care, urgent care and ambulatory care) and SP4PC experienced by > 80% of all PCPs in the most urban (RIJ:1–10) and rural areas (RIJ: 91–100). A multivariable linear regression analysis was also performed to examine the relationship between the RIJ and SPI/SP4PC.ResultsOf 1,000 potential participants, 299 physicians responded to the survey (response rate: 29.9%). PCPs in the most rural areas experienced a greater number of items in the inpatientl/urgent care domains of the SPI and SP4PC than those in the most urban areas. The RIJ was the only common factor for a broader SoP in both the SPI and SP4C models. The coefficients of SoP were 0.09 (95% confidence interval: 0.03–0.16) in the SPI model and 0.017 (0.005–0.03) in the SP4PC model.ConclusionRurality was considerably associated with SoP. The findings of this study will be helpful in understanding the SoP on rural and urban areas.

Improving Urgent and Emergency Care Decisions in the South West

Improving Urgent and Emergency Care Decisions in the South West

Standardizing Medication Reconciliation in a Pediatric Emergency Department.

Medication errors are common during transitions of care, such as discharge from the emergency department (ED) or urgent care (UC). The Joint Commission has identified medication reconciliation as a key safety practice. Our aim was to increase the percentage of patients with completed medication reconciliation at discharge from our pediatric ED and 4 UCs from 25% to 75% in 12 months. Key stakeholders included ED and UC physicians and nurses, informatics, and quality management. The baseline process for medication reconciliation was mapped and modified to create a standard process for nurses and physicians. An Ishikawa diagram was created to assess potential failures. Electronic health record interventions included adapting an inpatient workflow and using a clinical decision support tool. Educational interventions included just-in-time training, physician education via division meeting presentations, video tutorials, and physician-specific and group feedback using funnel plots. The secondary process measure was the proportion of patients discharged from the ED and UCs with completed home medication nursing review. We used statistical process control to analyze changes in measures over time. In the UCs, home medication nursing review increased from 91% to 98% and medication reconciliation increased from 35% to 82% within 4 months. In the ED, home medication nursing review increased from 2% to 83% within 8 months and medication reconciliation increased from 26% to 64% within 18 months. We successfully increased the proportion of UC and ED discharged patients with completed medication reconciliation.

Improving Hypertension Management in Urgent Care Settings through Provider Education: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Background: Hypertension affects nearly half of U.S. adults and is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, leading to approximately 500,000 deaths annually. Despite this, many healthcare providers lack confidence and knowledge in managing hypertension effectively. There is a pressing need for early intervention and aggressive treatment of hypertension across healthcare settings, including urgent care. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to improve hypertension management in two urgent care centers by ensuring that 100% of adult patients were assessed for hypertension, received appropriate interventions during the visit, and had a scheduled follow-up with a primary care provider within one month. Methodology: A prospective cohort QI project was initiated at two urgent care centers in Nevada. All data was obtained deidentified, and no PHI was used to evaluate results. Intervention: A hypertension initiative was implemented for providers to emphasize existing evidence-based guidelines and organizational policy. This was performed using provider education, pre/post-surveys, and a four-week review of deidentified patient data from electronic medical records. Results: Prior to the intervention, provider confidence in hypertension management averaged 3.65 on a 5-point Likert scale, and knowledge of organizational policies was rated at 3.0. Post-intervention, confidence increased by 15% to 4.36 (p<0.05), and policy knowledge improved by 60% to 4.8. Patient screening rates increased from 82% to 85.6%, and appropriate pharmacological interventions rose from 2.2% to 3.5% of hypertensive patients. However, the percentage of patients scheduled for primary care follow-up decreased slightly from 29.6% to 27.3%. These findings suggest that provider education can significantly enhance hypertension management in urgent care, but care coordination requires further optimization. Conclusion: There was a significantly improved provider-reported comfort and knowledge level toward hypertension treatment in an urgent care setting. This led to increased interventions for patients, which may have a benefit toward reducing overall hypertension within a community. The implementation of a hypertension initiative may improve overall organizational hypertension metrics. Continued evaluation of provider knowledge and hypertension early intervention may improve compliance with best practice guidelines and improve patient outcomes

Who says what to whom through what channel? Formative communication research on antibiotic resistance messaging for urgent care patients.

To explore the source, message, channel, and receiver effects on patient concern for antibiotic resistance, willingness to reduce antibiotic use, and expectations for an antibiotic prescription in a prepandemic sample. We used data reported from a national cross-sectional survey of adults who had visited an urgent care center within the last year. Data were collected from April 4 to April 9, 2017. The survey included an embedded experimental design to test changing effects before versus after message exposure. A national sample of adult participants (n = 610) who had used urgent care at least once in the past year were recruited through GfK's KnowledgePanelTM. KnowledgePanel survey response rates are typically about 65%. Respondents ranged in age from 18 to 85 and were more likely to be female (377/610; 62%), White (408/610; 67%), and covered by private insurance (414/610; 68%). Outcome variables were measured on 4-point scales 1-4 scale, and t-tests were conducted for measures that were collected pre and postmessaging. The majority of participants trusted their doctor and desired them as the source for information regarding antibiotic resistance, followed by field experts (eg, CDC). Direct messaging (eg, email) and targeted advertisements were least preferred. This study provides foundational data on patient communication preferences in terms of source, message content, and channel when receiving information on antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, as well as how these factors affect patient concern, willingness, and expectations. Follow-up work is needed to replicate these findings in a postpandemic sample.

Changes in urgent and emergency care activity associated with COVID-19 lockdowns in a sub-region in the East of England: Interrupted times series analyses.

Access to and use of urgent and emergency care in the United Kingdom's National Health Service reduced during COVID-19 related lockdowns but demand reportedly increased since then. We investigated the impact of COVID-19 on urgent and emergency health care services activity in an eastern England population of 1.1 million. We used health care activity data from a municipal health department, recorded at the level of discrete events (such as visits to hospital or ambulance calls) to compare system activity between 2018-2020 (pre-COVID), 2020-2021 (lockdown) and 2021-2023 (post-lockdown), carrying out interrupted time series analyses to describe changes in activity. Daily emergency department (ED) attendances were 10% (95% confidence interval 9-12%) lower during the lockdown period, and 7% (6-8%) higher in the post-lockdown period than pre-COVID. Attendances arriving by ambulance were 13% (12-14%) lower post-lockdown than pre-COVID, while attendances of arrivals by other means were 17% (16-19%) higher. Post-lockdown, overall attendances were continually reducing. ED waiting times were 45% (44-47%) longer in the post-lockdown period compared to the pre-COVID period and continued to increase post-lockdown. There was a 15% (14-16%) reduction in daily ambulance dispatches post-lockdown versus pre-COVID. Ambulance arrivals with delayed handover to hospital care exceeding 60 minutes increased by 17% (16-18%) post-lockdown versus pre-COVID, and probability of delay showed a continuously upward trend post-lockdown of 20% (19-21%) per year. Patients are facing long waits in EDs to be admitted to hospital, discharged or transferred. This results in delays in ambulances handing over patients and attending to other calls, which may explain decreasing rates of ambulance dispatches. Potential solutions are likely to involve enhancing the flow through and discharge of patients from hospital, and a whole systems approach which considers the capacity of the local health and care infrastructure, including intermediate care and social care.

Asthma Control and Associated Factors Among Children with Current Asthma - Findings from the 2019 Child Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System - Asthma Call-Back Survey.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of uncontrolled asthma among children with current asthma in four US states. We also determined the rates and correlates of asthma-related hospitalization, urgent care center (UCC), or emergency department (ED) visits. We analyzed the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) Asthma Call-back Survey (ACBS) datasets. Asthma control status was classified as well-controlled or uncontrolled asthma based on day- and night-time asthma symptoms, activity limitation or use of rescue medications. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the correlates of uncontrolled asthma and asthma-related hospitalization or UCC/ED visits. Among 249 children with current asthma, 55.1% had uncontrolled asthma while 40% reported asthma-related hospitalization or UCC/ED visits in the past year. Non-Hispanic ethnicity, ages of 0-9 and 15-17 years, household income <$25,000, and not having a flu vaccination had higher odds of uncontrolled asthma. Conversely, asthma self-management education and households with two children compared to one were positively associated with uncontrolled asthma. For healthcare utilization, male and non-Hispanic children, along with those from households earning <$25,000 exhibited higher odds of asthma-related hospitalization and UCC/ED visits. Uncontrolled asthma and asthma-related visits to UCC/ED and hospitalization are common among children with current asthma. These outcomes are influenced by low household income and male sex, among other factors which call for multi-faceted interventions by healthcare providers and policymakers. Targeted strategies to effectively manage asthma and reduce the need for emergency healthcare services are recommended.

Impact of COVID-19 on urgent care diagnoses and the new AXR metric.

We examined the antibiotic prescribing rate for respiratory diagnoses (AXR) before and after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in urgent care clinics. At the onset, AXR declined substantially due to changes in case mix. Using AXR as a stewardship metric requires monitoring of changes in case mix.

Long-term catheter management in the community: a population-based analysis of user characteristics, service utilisation and costs in England.

Long-term urinary catheters are problematic and burdensome for patients, carers and health services. Nursing practice to improve the management of long-term urinary catheters has been held back by a lack of evidence to support policy and practice. Little is known about who uses a catheter long term and the resources and costs needed for their management. Understanding these costs will help to target innovations to improve care. There have been no substantial innovations to urinary catheters or their management recently and no publications to characterise users and costs. To describe long-term catheter users and explore catheter-related service use and costs in England. Descriptive information on the characteristics of catheter users and their use of services was obtained from: General Practice records (n = 607), district nursing records (n = 303), questionnaires to patients (n = 333) and triangulated, 2009-2012. Annual service costs (British pounds 2011) were computed. Most catheter users (59.6%) were men, nearly three-quarters (71.2%) were over 70 years and 60.8% used a urethral catheter. Women tended to be younger than men and more likely to use a suprapubic catheter. The services used most frequently over 12 months were general practitioner (by 63.1%) and out of hours services (43.0%); 15.5% accessed Accident and Emergency services for urgent catheter-related care. Hospital use accounted for nearly half (48.9%) of total health service costs (mainly due to inpatient stays by 13.6% of participants); catheter supplies/medications were next most costly (25.7%). Half of all costs were accounted for by 14.2% of users. The median annual cost of services used was £6.38, IQR: £344-£1324; district nursing services added approximately a further £200 per annum. Finding better ways to reduce catheter problems (e.g. blockage, infection) that cause unplanned visits, urgent or hospital care should be a priority to improve quality of life for long-term catheter users and reduce health service expenditure.

Pediatric resident use, perceptions, and desires for improvement of a clinical secure messaging application

BackgroundHospitals are transitioning away from traditional pagers to secure text messaging (STM) applications. STM is perceived to improve efficiency and accessibility. There is limited research on user's impressions of how STM impacts patient safety, provider wellness, and quality of patient care. ObjectivesTo understand the use and perceptions of a clinical STM by pediatric residents at a free-standing quaternary care children's hospital. MethodsA survey was conducted of pediatric residents regarding their experience with Diagnotes®. Demographic data were obtained along with use patterns, ability to perform tasks, and perceptions of intended purpose. Further questions evaluated agreement with communication strategies and satisfaction with features. Three open-ended questions asked about experience where STM impacted (1) patient care coordination and (2) patient safety. A final question asked for any additional STM feedback. ResultsOf 169 surveys, there were 112 respondents (66.3 % response rate). Respondents unanimously endorsed daily STM use on their personal mobile devices with good knowledge of basic features. Respondents were overall satisfied with Diagnotes® (73.9 %) including the ability to communicate efficiently (84.8 %) and effectively (79.5 %). Yet only 32.1 % were satisfied with Diagnotes® training. Only 59.5 % believed Diagnotes® was appropriate for urgent patient care needs and only 43.2 % believed its purpose was to inform the team of patient emergencies. Key qualitative themes included improved coordination of patient care tasks through STM, but there were concerns raised around sending and receiving messages, the additional cognitive burden placed by STM, and differences in culture of use that created conflict. ConclusionsDiagnotes® is viewed positively including use for effective coordination of patient care and familiarity of functions of Diagnotes®. Barriers included unclear interprofessional expectations for use. Future research should incorporate a broad range of healthcare professionals' perceptions and co-creation of STM best practice guidelines for use, including around urgent or emergent patient care issues.

An Appy That Needs Epi: An Atypical Presentation of Anaphylaxis.

An Appy That Needs Epi: An Atypical Presentation of Anaphylaxis.

Fournier's gangrene: a review of predictive scoring systems and practical guide for patient management.

This article aims to provide a practical guide for patient management and an overview of the predictive scorings for Fournier's gangrene (FG) that are available to aid clinicians. A literature was performed reviewing currently used scoring systems for FG and presenting a practical guide for its management based on the available evidence. There are four specific scoring systems available for the assessment of FG although few other non-specific and generic tools also exist. These specific tools include Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis, Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index, Uludag Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index, and Simplified Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index and help calculate expected mortality. Our proposed algorithm covers primary assessment, resuscitative interventions, initial investigations, urgent care, post-operative care, and long-term follow-up. The management of the FG patient can be divided into initial resuscitation, surgical debridement, ongoing ward management with antibiotic therapy, wound reconstruction, and long-term follow-up. Each facet of care is vital and requires multidisciplinary team expertise for optimal outcomes. Whilst mortality continues to improve, it remains significant, reflecting the severe and life-threatening nature of FG. More research is certainly needed into how this care is individualised, and to ensure that long-term outcomes in FG include quality of life measures after discharge.

Managing Home Health-Care Services With Dynamic Arrivals During a Public Health Emergency

We consider a public health emergency, during which a high number of patients and their varying health conditions necessitate prioritizing patients receiving home health care. Moreover, the dynamic emergence of patients needing urgent care during the day should be handled by rescheduling these patients. In this article, we present a reoptimization framework for this dynamic problem to periodically determine which patients will be visited in which order on each day to maximize the total priority of visited patients and to minimize the overtime for the health-care provider. This optimization framework also aims to minimize total routing time. A mixed-integer programming (MIP) model is formulated and solved at predetermined reoptimization times, to assure that urgent patients are visited within the current day, while visits of others may be postponed, if overtime is not desired or limited. The effectiveness of a schedule is evaluated with respect to several performance metrics, such as the number of patients whose visits are postponed to the next day, waiting time of urgent patients, and required overtime. The MIP-based approach is compared to two practical heuristics that achieve satisfactory performance under a nervous service system by excelling in different criteria. The MIP-based reoptimization approach is demonstrated for a case during the COVID-19 pandemic. We contribute to the home health-care literature by managing dynamic/urgent patient arrivals under a multiperiod setting with prioritized patients, where we optimize different rescheduling objectives via three alternative reoptimization approaches.

Predicting hospital disposition for trauma patients: application of data-driven machine learning algorithms

&lt;abstract&gt; &lt;p&gt;As a consequence of road accidents, around 1.3 million people die, and between 20 to 50 million have nonfatal injuries. Therefore, hospitals are receiving a high volume of patients in their urgent care, and a quick decision must be made regarding their treatment plans. At the admission stage, there is no information or probability about the patient's final result, regardless of if the patient will mostly die or be safely discharged from the hospital. To address this issue, this study proposed a machine learning-based framework that can predict the hospital disposition for trauma patients. The framework was developed to anticipate whether the patient would be safely discharged from the hospital or die based on a set of features collected at the admission time. In this study, the data used was collected from the King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the performance of different machine learning algorithms was investigated, including eXtreme gradient boost (XGBoost), K-nearest neighbor, random forest, logistic regression, BRR, and support vector machine. Results show that the XGBoost algorithm demonstrated a high degree of detection and prediction accuracy for disposed-to-home patients; of the 6059 patients that were sent home, the XGBoost correctly predicted 5944 (98%) of the total. Finally, the developed framework could accurately predict hospital disposition for trauma patients with high accuracy and sensitivity levels. This system can benefit healthcare teams and insurance companies by providing them with a quick decision-making tool to determine the best treatment plan for patients.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/abstract&gt;

Perceived Causes and Effects of Overcrowding Among Nurses in the Emergency Departments of Tertiary Hospitals: A Multicenter Study.

Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is a significant concern in many hospitals in Saudi Arabia, resulting in long waiting times, delays in treating patients who need urgent care, and, consequently, decreased patient satisfaction. Additionally, ED overcrowding has been linked to increased nurse turnover rates. Therefore, this study aimed to assess nurses' perceived causes and effects of overcrowding in the EDs of five tertiary hospitals in Saudi Arabia. This study used a descriptive cross-sectional design. We surveyed 311 nurses working in the EDs of five tertiary hospitals in Saudi Arabia using the convenience sampling technique. The self-administered questionnaires used in the study were developed by the researchers. The study was conducted from October 16 to November 10, 2022. Consensus-Based Checklist for Reporting of Survey Studies was followed. The results revealed that the primary perceived causes of ED overcrowding in five tertiary hospitals were unnecessary visits due to a lack of standard procedures (mean = 2.70; SD = 0.58) and lack of inpatients beds (mean = 2.69; SD = 0.65). The perceived effect of overcrowding was stress and burnout among nurses (mean = 2.85; SD = 0.47). The perceived causes and effects of overcrowding in the ED were found to be highly significant (p <0.001) based on Pearson correlation and Spearman's rank correlation. Unnecessary visits due to a lack of standard procedures lead to overcrowding. In addition, a lack of inpatient beds in the ED affects the care provided to patients seeking immediate medical attention. This may prolong patient waiting time, causing their conditions to deteriorate and prolonging hospital stay. Overcrowding leads to increased stress and burnout among nurses. The results of this study can be used to develop a comprehensive action plan to address ED overcrowding and its effects on patients, staff, and ED flow.

Evaluating and Managing Specific Medical Conditions in Dental Practice: A Review of Pre-Treatment Protocols

Oral health-related quality of life plays a crucial role in dental practice. Numerous systemic factors, including inadequate nutrition, tobacco use, stress, medication consumption, and diabetes, among others, have been demonstrated to affect oral health. Specific systemic treatments, such as chemo-radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies, cardiac valve replacement, bisphosphonate therapy, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), can impact oral health both during and after the primary treatment. Providing dental care for medically compromised individuals can be complex, particularly with regard to dental procedures and urgent care. An essential aspect of healthcare involves modifying dental treatments for patients whose medical conditions necessitate alterations. For these patients, dental examinations and clearances offer opportunities to deliver comprehensive preventive care that transcends professional boundaries. These consultations also provide occasions to propose treatment options before, during, and after dental visits. While numerous research studies have explored this topic, dental practitioners have not widely adopted it due to limited understanding of medical conditions. Given these clinical challenges, it is imperative to address and elucidate the dental clearance issue for common medical conditions frequently encountered in dental practice. Furthermore, there is a necessity to establish clinical protocols for assessment and management prior to medical procedures.

Perfil clínico e epidemiológico dos atendimentos de urgências odontológicas em uma unidade básica de saúde

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aimed to establish the causal profile of searches for urgent dental care in a Basic Health Unit, its outcomes and main complications that occurred. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study with a quantitative approach was carried out. The sample consisted of patients assisted in the demand of dental urgency. Data were collected through the electronic medical records of all patients treated by residents of the Multiprofessional Residency in Family Health, at the São Francisco Health Unit, located in the city of Cariacica/ES, from March 2021 to March 2022. Results: A total of 212 emergency dental visits were evaluated, of patients of two genders, having females being predominant (57.5%), aged between 1 and 75 years, with toothache as the main complaint (86.8 %). The most frequent diagnoses were dental caries (31.1%), followed by irreversible pulpitis (20.8%) and unsatisfactory restorations (7.5%). Accordingly, the most common emergency treatments performed at the service were: endodontic access (34.0%), tooth extractions (28.8%) and restorations (19.8%). Conclusions: The profile of urgent care surveyed was predominantly female, with an average age of 34 years, with toothache as the main complaint and dental caries as the most common diagnosis. The main interventions performed were endodontic access and tooth extraction.

Agency Staffing and Hospital Financial Performance: Insights and Implications.

Staffing is critical to hospital performance. However, in recent years, hospitals have struggled with severe staffing shortages, forcing them to rely on expensive agency staff to meet urgent patient care needs. This substitution of agency staff for permanent employees has raised concerns over its potential impact on financial stability. This study investigated the association of agency labor with hospital financial performance. Utilizing tenets from agency theory and transaction cost theory, data for the calendar year 2022 for active short-term acute care hospitals (n=2771) in the United States were analyzed using multivariable linear regression analysis. Hospital financial performance was assessed using three variables: net patient revenue, operating revenue per bed, and operating expense per bed. The independent variable was agency labor cost, representing the total expenditure on agency labor. Additionally, organizational and market-level control variables that may independently affect hospital financial performance were included. Our regression findings indicated that agency labor cost was significantly associated with all three dependent variables: net patient revenue (β = 0.224, p < 0.001), operating revenue per bed (β = 0.042, p < 0.001), and operating expense per bed (β = 0.032, p < 0.001). The results indicated that increased agency labor was associated with higher revenues, but it also corresponded with increased expenses. Therefore, hospitals should strategically use agency staffing to meet immediate operational needs while remaining cognizant of its financial implications. The judicious use of agency labor can help hospitals balance the benefits of increased revenue against higher costs, while ensuring that they still meet immediate patient needs.

Заносы ветряной оспы в детский многопрофильный стационар

Background: The modern epidemic process of chickenpox is characterized by the involvement of all age groups and a high risk of forming epidemic foci in organized groups. The introduction of chickenpox into healthcare organizations and their further intra-hospital spread, especially in pediatric hospitals, requires adequate response and management decisions to minimize the risk of spread in a hospital environment. Objective: to study the frequency and risk factors of chickenpox cases in the hospital environment in a large pediatric multidisciplinary hospital to improve epidemiological surveillance. Materials and methods: The data of the epidemiological investigation reports of infectious (parasitic) outbreaks with establishment of a causal relationship for 2021-2023, medical records of inpatients and outpatients in a medical organization providing specialized, including high-tech, medical care were analyzed. The method of retrospective epidemiological analysis was used. The frequency of chickenpox (VO) inoculations in a medical organization (MO) per 1000 patients was determined. The index of focality was determined. A 95% confidence interval was calculated for relative values. Calculations were performed using the epidemiologic Confidence Interval Calculator. Quantitative indicators were evaluated for conformity to normal distribution using the Shapiro-Wilk criterion (number of indicators less than 50). The direction and strength of the correlation between two quantitative indicators in normal and non-normal distributions were evaluated using Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients, respectively. When conducting correlation analysis, the direction of the relationship (direct or inverse) and the strength of the relationship according to the Chaddock scale were taken into account. Statistical data processing was performed using the Microsoft Excel program. Results: The highest risk of introducing chickenpox into the emergency department when providing emergency and urgent medical care in outpatient settings to emergency non-hospitalized patients has been established. Significant (p&lt;0.05) differences in the frequency of registration of VO cases in somatic and surgical departments were determined. A low foci rate of 1.2 in the conditions of implementation of algorithms of personnel actions was determined. Conclusions: To reduce the risk of introducing chickenpox into a medical organization in the context of the development of digital technologies, synergy of actions of primary health care specialists in specific epidemic foci, even in single cases of the disease, is necessary. In a medical organization, the most important measures to reduce the risk of spread in the context of VO introduction are the development and implementation of algorithms of personnel actions and improvement of the level of professional competence of medical workers.

Transforming Healthcare Delivery: The Role of Collaborations, Innovations, and Technologies in Addressing the Nursing Shortage

Amidst the current nursing crisis, nurse educators and practitioners are pivotal, necessitating innovative collaborations and partnerships to elevate healthcare models. To address the intricacies of our healthcare system nationwide, it is imperative to explore inventive approaches. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), nursing practice is set to advance significantly in the modern healthcare landscape. AI has the potential to transform healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and redefine the nursing role. One of the strategies to enhance healthcare models involves technology integration. Partnering with technology companies can facilitate developing and implementing advanced simulations, telehealth platforms, and remote monitoring devices through AI. By automating routine tasks, AI enhances nursing efficiency, allowing nurses to concentrate on urgent patient care. Furthermore, AI can improve the quality and accuracy of nursing diagnoses and interventions by providing real-time information and evidence-based recommendations. Patients can also benefit from AI-driven virtual assistants that aid in accessing medication information, expanding knowledge of self-care practice, and addressing healthcare inquiries.The recent approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to integrate AI technologies into the medical sector highlights AI's potential to enhance healthcare services and reduce health risks. Collaborations among research, healthcare, and academic institutions are crucial for transformative changes. Research should focus on nursing staffing ratios, strategies to enhance job satisfaction, and practical nursing models to improve patient outcomes and relieve the burden of administrative and clinical tasks on individual nurses.Furthermore, healthcare and academic institutions should implement comprehensive employee wellness programs. These initiatives should prioritize mental health, stress management, and work-life balance to enhance nurses' well-being and reduce burnout and turnover.