Throughput challenges existed before the pandemic, but COVID-19 magnified the problem and 'created a large volume of patients who are ready for discharge from hospitals but cannot find an appropriate bed in a post-acute care setting,' according to the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association. The task force said it supports legislation that would create a 'default surrogate hierarchy' for patients who lack the capacity to make their own healthcare decisions and don’t have an appointed health care proxy. Ensuring a 'fallback-decision maker' could 'prevent discharge delays, reduce emergency guardianship filings, and enable timely care decisions for incapacitated individuals,' the report says.
In a social media landscape shaped by hashtags, algorithms, and viral posts, nurse leaders must decide: Will they let the narrative spiral, or can they adapt and join the conversation?
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