In Quest To Find Solution To Growing Nurse Shortage

In Quest To Find Solution To Growing Nurse Shortage And Heightened Att

In the context of the growing nurse shortage and increased attention to patient quality, many healthcare organization leaders have turned to developing and testing new care delivery models. These innovative models aim to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction by engaging nurses and other healthcare professionals in various roles across the continuum of care. One such emerging model is Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH), which focuses on closing care gaps through technological advancements, physician-led interprofessional teams managing care transitions, and providing chronic care services directly in patients' homes or workplaces.

MIH leverages community resources and professional staff competencies to deliver health care, post-acute services, and emergency medical services (EMS) within the community setting. This model is particularly aligned with the objectives prompted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), which emphasizes making healthcare more affordable and accessible for all Americans. MIH offers comprehensive, patient-centered population management solutions, integrating care coordination, telehealth, and telemedicine both at home and via mobile platforms. These features aim to enhance service quality while reducing costs, which ultimately leads to improved patient outcomes.

The significance of MIH lies in its ability to provide high-quality, cost-effective care by utilizing multidisciplinary teams to fill care gaps, especially for vulnerable populations. Telehealth and telemedicine innovations enable remote monitoring and consultation, which are essential in modern healthcare delivery, particularly in rural or underserved communities. The deployment of MIH can reduce hospital readmissions, emergency department visits, and unnecessary hospitalizations, thus alleviating some of the strains caused by nurse shortages and resource limitations (Hirschman et al., 2017; Tenforde et al., 2017). This approach also allows nurses to extend their roles beyond traditional settings, emphasizing holistic and preventive care, which is crucial in managing chronic illnesses and ultimately improving health outcomes.

The broader landscape of healthcare reform involves several models designed to promote cost efficiency, accountability, and improved quality. Among these, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) have gained prominence. An ACO is a network of providers—comprising doctors, hospitals, specialists, and other healthcare professionals—who coordinate to deliver high-quality care while sharing financial risks and rewards based on performance benchmarks (American Nurses Association, 2010). The structure of ACOs allows for strategic planning across the patient care continuum, promoting preventive care and reducing avoidable hospital admissions and readmissions.

Fundamentally, these care models emphasize the importance of collaborative practice. They recognize that nurses, especially advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and ambulatory nurses, play vital roles in primary care, health promotion, disease prevention, and care coordination. By utilizing telehealth, electronic health records (EHRs), and other digital tools, nurses can reach patients more effectively, triage cases appropriately, and deliver timely interventions that prevent complications or deterioration of health status (Haas, 2011).

Moreover, these models support a shift toward community-based care, which aligns with the ACA’s goals of reducing healthcare costs while improving quality. This shift not only mitigates the nurse shortage by expanding opportunities for nursing practice but also enhances patient engagement and adherence to treatment plans. Nurses’ roles in health coaching, education, and preventive screenings are expanded within these innovative models, contributing to a more holistic and proactive approach to healthcare delivery.

In conclusion, addressing the growing nurse shortage and enhancing patient outcomes necessitate adopting innovative care delivery models like MIH and ACOs. These models foster teamwork, leverage technology, and emphasize community-based, patient-centered care, with nurses playing a central role. The evolution of healthcare delivery in response to policy reforms like the ACA underscores the need for adaptable, collaborative, and multidisciplinary approaches that prioritize health promotion, disease prevention, and cost containment. As healthcare continues to transform, nurses will remain pivotal in ensuring the success of these innovative solutions, ultimately leading to a more efficient, equitable, and high-quality healthcare system.

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References

• American Nurses Association. (2010). New care delivery models in health system reform: Opportunities for nurses & their patients. Nursing World. https://www.nursingworld.org
• Haas, S. A. (2011). Health reform act: New models of care and delivery systems. ViewPoint: American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN). https://www.aaacn.org
• Hirschman, K. B., Shaid, E., Bixby, M. B., Badolato, D. J., Barg, R., Byrnes, M. B., & Naylor, M. D. (2017). Transitional care in the patient-centered medical home: Lessons in adaptation. The Journal for Healthcare Quality, 39(2), 67–77.
• Tenforde, A. S., Hefner, J. E., Kodish-Wachs, J. E., Iaccarino, M. A., & Paganoni, S. (2017). Telehealth in physical medicine and rehabilitation: A narrative review. PM&R, 9(5), S51–S58.