How to overcome the nursing shortage challenge with a people-first, data-driven approach

Countries worldwide are grappling with a severe shortage of nurses, with Singapore expecting a 40% increase in demand over the next six years. This global trend could lead to a shortage of 13 million nurses, putting pressure on healthcare providers and potentially compromising patient outcomes. To address this challenge, providers are resorting to short-term measures such as hiring temporary staff and increasing reliance on telemedicine.

A significant portion of nurses' time (79%) is spent on non-direct patient care tasks, including inefficient workflows, clinical documentation, and manual administrative duties. Accenture suggests that a strong cloud-based digital core, integrating data foundation, clinical workflows, and security, can enhance efficiency. More than a third of clinicians globally believe that AI can increase their time with patients and improve procedural accuracy.

Accenture recommends building a cloud-powered, people-centric care system to alleviate the strain on nurses. Automation, especially AI-powered solutions like supply/demand matching and virtual nursing assistants, can positively impact healthcare delivery. It is crucial to recognize individual nurses' comfort levels with technology and provide user-friendly solutions that seamlessly integrate into existing workflows.

Providers can explore various strategies, including offloading non-clinical tasks, contracting, offshoring, or providing training and support to families and caregivers. However, funding these technology solutions remains a challenge, with 60% of clinicians in the US citing high upfront costs as a barrier to digital health tool adoption.

To address financial constraints, providers are advised to focus on cost optimization, reinventing clinical processes, and working more efficiently. Smart strategic investments, such as early Software as a Service (SaaS) adoption, can reduce costs and pave the way for continuous reinvention. Operational and population health data can identify time-saving solutions with strong returns on investment, such as digital twin simulations using predictive analytics for risk-free testing.

While the nursing shortage poses a significant challenge, deploying a new cloud-based digital core holds potential for transforming the nursing experience and improving productivity. Key starting points include creating and funding a technology roadmap with accountability and ownership, breaking down organizational silos, and fostering enterprise-wide collaboration. A people-first, data-driven approach is essential to harness the power of technology collectively to address the nursing shortage.