Influenza and the common cold both pose significant challenges for healthcare systems each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu-related illnesses lead to millions of medical visits, hospitalizations, and even deaths annually in the United States. When combined with the ongoing impact of COVID-19, the burden on healthcare facilities is even greater.
The flu and cold season brings not only an increase in patient volume but also several staffing challenges. Nurse absenteeism during peak times can strain healthcare systems and elevate patient-to-nurse ratios. Nurse presenteeism—when staff members work while ill themselves—can compromise patient care and contribute to the spread of illnesses. A 2022 study from the National Library of Medicine reported that over 71% of nurses experienced presenteeism, putting additional pressure on already stressed healthcare systems. Furthermore, healthcare workers are seven times more likely to suffer severe COVID-19 compared to workers in other fields, further complicating staffing and patient care.
Additionally, high burnout and turnover rates among healthcare workers exacerbate these issues. The American Nurses Association (ANA) reported in 2022 that more than half of America’s nurses are considering leaving the profession. With 89% of nurses indicating their organizations are experiencing staffing shortages, managing patient care during flu and cold season becomes increasingly critical.
How 1st Call Triage Can Help
1st Call Triage offers essential services designed to ease the burden on medical practices during the busy flu and cold season, allowing your team to maintain high-quality patient care while managing increased workloads and staff shortages.
- Office Hours Nurse Triage Line
The influx of calls from patients concerned about symptoms, medication advice, or the need for a visit can overwhelm your front desk staff. 1st Call Triage’s Nurse Triage Line provides experienced nurses to manage these calls, assess symptoms, and offer guidance. This service helps your practice by:- Reducing unnecessary office visits by advising patients on home care or determining if an appointment is needed.
- Prioritizing urgent cases so that patients with severe symptoms are directed to appropriate care quickly.
- Allowing in-office staff to focus on patient care and other operational tasks without being burdened by constant call volumes.
- Appointment Scheduling
Managing a surge in appointments for flu shots, cold visits, and follow-ups can overwhelm your scheduling team. 1st Call Triage offers efficient Appointment Scheduling services, helping your practice handle increased patient flow. Our team:- Coordinates and optimizes appointment calendars to maximize availability.
- Books patients swiftly and accurately, ensuring smooth scheduling for vaccinations, sick visits, and follow-ups.
- Provides reminders and confirmations to reduce no-shows and improve overall patient attendance.
- Insurance Verification
During peak seasons, verifying insurance coverage can become a time-consuming task, delaying patient access to care. 1st Call Triage offers comprehensive Insurance Verification services, ensuring patients’ coverage is confirmed before their appointments. This service:- Reduces administrative burdens on your front-office staff, allowing them to focus on patient care.
- Decreases wait times for patients by ensuring insurance issues are resolved ahead of their visits.
- Helps maintain a smooth revenue cycle with fewer delays in payment processing.
- Medication Refills & Prior Authorization Processing
Increased demand for medication refills and prescriptions for flu and cold treatments can strain your practice. 1st Call Triage assists with Medication Refills and Prior Authorization Processing, ensuring:- Prescription requests are handled promptly, minimizing delays and improving patient satisfaction.
- Prior authorizations are processed efficiently to avoid treatment interruptions.
- Your staff can devote more time to direct patient care while we manage administrative tasks.
Stay Prepared with 1st Call Triage
The flu and cold season can challenge even the best-prepared medical practices, but with 1st Call Triage, you can stay ahead of the curve. Our range of services—from nurse triage to appointment scheduling—ensures that your team can focus on providing excellent patient care while we handle the operational and administrative burdens.
Don’t let the flu and cold season overwhelm your practice. Book your 30-minute Discovery Call today to discover how 1st Call Triage can support your practice in managing patient care, reducing staff stress, and maintaining smooth operations during this critical time of year. Together, we’ll navigate the flu and cold season with efficiency and confidence.
