NCONL

09/30/2024

This KFF Health News article titled "Death By 1,000 Clicks: Where Electronic Health Records Went Wrong," explores the significant challenges and unintended consequences that have emerged from the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs). As leaders in nursing, it is imperative for us to understand the complexities and the impact these systems have had on patient safety, healthcare provider burnout, and interoperability issues.

This investigative report sheds light on the lofty promises that EHRs held, such as improving the efficiency of care and reducing medical errors, and contrasts these with the realities that have unfolded—technological complexities that contribute to errors and inefficiencies, and systems that often do not communicate well with one another. The result has been frustration among healthcare providers and risks to patient safety. The solutions are apparent. What seems lacking are the drive and resources to implement them.

The U.S. government claimed that turning American medical charts into electronic records would make health care better, safer and cheaper. Ten years and $36 billion later, the system is an unholy mess. Inside a digital revolution that took a bad turn.

09/25/2024

Duke Health has entered into a strategic two-year collaboration with SAS to enhance healthcare through advanced analytics and AI technologies. This partnership builds on previous collaborations and will focus on improving operational efficiencies and healthcare delivery by developing AI-driven tools and digital twin technologies. This initiative not only promises to enhance patient care but also aims to ensure the responsible use of AI in healthcare, partnering with entities like the Coalition for Health AI and the Trustworthy and Responsible AI Network.

DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke Health has formalized a two-year collaboration with SAS, a global leader in data and AI, headquartered in Cary, N.C.The strategic effort builds on the two organization’s previously announced collaboration to leverage cutting-edge technology to transform health care operations ...

09/25/2024

The NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report underscores the pressing challenges faced by nursing leaders nationwide, particularly concerning nurse turnover and staffing shortages. The report reveals that registered nurse (RN) turnover rates remain alarmingly high, exacerbating the strain on healthcare systems and impacting patient care quality. Vacancy rates for RNs have also surged, highlighting the critical need for effective recruitment and retention strategies. For nursing leaders, these findings emphasize the urgency of implementing evidence-based interventions to enhance nurse satisfaction, reduce burnout, and stabilize the workforce. Addressing these issues is paramount to improving patient outcomes and maintaining organizational efficiency in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

09/16/2024

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce delves deep into the ongoing nursing shortage impacting the nation in their latest report. This crisis, exacerbated by pandemic burnout and an aging workforce, is causing significant disruptions in healthcare delivery, escalating costs, and lowering quality of life. The article highlights critical gaps and suggests strategic actions to address this urgent workforce challenge/

The United States is currently grappling with a nursing shortage that is causing a ripple effect of rising health care costs and lower quality of life across the country.

09/12/2024

Research shows that the COVID-19 lockdowns prematurely aged teen brains, particularly in adolescent girls, due to loss of social interaction. Brain scans revealed accelerated cortical thinning, which is linked to aging, impacting reasoning, decision-making, and emotional health. For nurse leaders, this research emphasizes the importance of addressing the long-term mental health challenges resulting from the pandemic, especially in young women. This reinforces the need for targeted mental health interventions and support systems to mitigate the lasting effects on adolescents' cognitive and emotional development.

Brain scans show that girls were especially affected by the loss of social interaction.

09/12/2024

Data on COVID-19 trends via wastewater testing offers a critical tool for early detection and preparedness. With widespread reliance on home antigen testing and reduced formal case reporting, monitoring viral loads in wastewater allows health systems to track community infection rates even when individuals aren't seeking medical care. This method has proven especially useful as a predictive indicator of regional COVID surges, helping health officials and healthcare organizations anticipate resource needs. Nurse leaders can use this data to optimize staffing, enhance infection control measures, and prepare for potential patient influxes. Despite current high viral levels in wastewater, it’s important to interpret these signals alongside hospital admission rates, as increased viral presence doesn’t always correlate with heightened hospitalizations

The most recent data from the CDC shows that nearly half of the United States have reported "very high" levels of COVID-19 activity.

09/11/2024

UNC’s Tar Heel Academic Practice Partnership (TAPP) and the NC Future of Nursing Action Coalition received a $50,000 award to address workplace violence through simulation training for nurses. This program, supported by AARP and UNC Health, aims to improve safety by equipping nurses with de-escalation techniques and reporting tools. The training will be integrated into the education of UNC Health nurses and students, enhancing workforce resilience and promoting healthier work environments across North Carolina healthcare settings. This collaboration strengthens nursing education and practice to meet future workforce needs.

With this $25,000 grant, combined with $25,000 in matching funds from UNC Health’s Robert A. Ingram Institute for Equitable Healthcare Access, TAPP and NC FON AC will bring together nurse educators, chief nursing officers, clinical content experts, simulation experts and more to develop essential ...

09/10/2024

In the last decade, more than 49 million Americans have gained health insurance through Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. This achievement highlights the impact of income-based subsidies and marketplace insurance plans, particularly in states that have not expanded Medicaid. With enrollment reaching a record high of 20.8 million in 2024, the ACA continues to provide vital coverage to individuals who otherwise might struggle to afford healthcare.

This milestone is particularly relevant for healthcare leaders, as it reflects broader trends in healthcare accessibility and affordability that directly affect patient care and the nursing workforce. For nursing leaders, this prompts critical questions: How has the ACA influenced patient demographics and care demands in your organization? What role can nursing leadership play in addressing the healthcare needs of newly insured populations, particularly those from underserved communities?

One in seven Americans have signed up for health insurance coverage through Affordable Care Act marketplaces since their 2014 launch, according to data released on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

09/05/2024

To address hospital staffing shortages, nursing leaders should consider the role of foreign-educated nurses, whose contributions have become increasingly vital. From 2010 to 2022, the percentage of U.S. hospitals hiring foreign-educated nurses nearly doubled, reflecting their growing importance in filling gaps in care, especially given ongoing nurse shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, visa restrictions pose significant challenges by limiting the availability of these essential workers, highlighting the need for policy reforms to ease visa constraints and ensure a stable nursing workforce

KFF analysis of data from the American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Survey shows that the overall share of hospitals reporting hiring foreign-educated RNs has nearly doubled between 2010 and 2022, and a growing share of hospitals report hiring an increasing number of foreign-educated RNs to fil...

09/02/2024

https://www.physicianspractice.com/view/disruptive-innovation-a-potential-solution-to-transforming-american-healthcare

Disruptive innovations are radical changes that often overturn the usual way of doing things to such an extent that they have a positive ripple effect throughout the industry.

08/31/2024

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/30/upshot/wegovy-obesity-drugs-north-carolina.html

The widespread use and enormous expense of blockbuster drugs like Wegovy are forcing state governments to make painful choices.

08/29/2024

https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2024/08/29/advanced-practice-nurses-thought-theyd-get-full-practice-authority-2024/

Advanced practice nurses have been trying to gain more independence from physicians for decades, but the legislative obstacles are high.