8 DECEMBER 2023Need Urgent Care? The Nurse Will See You NowBy Kristen Silva, Director Of Nursing, Beth Israel Lahey HealthWith the global pandemic and State of Emergency in the rear-view mirror, we're all eager to return to a sense of normalcy. However, COVID incidence in the community continues amidst a pent-up demand for routine primary care services, which leaves little room to receive urgent care from your Primary Care Practice. For simple and straightforward ailments like urinary tract infections and sore throats, patients expect to be seen and cared for by their primary care provider. This is why, at Beth Israel Lahey Health (BILH), we are redesigning the care delivery model to meet the needs of our patients. We are all familiar with the traditional patient-provider relationship. In today's healthcare climate, we can no longer rely solely on our physicians for the provision of quality, patient-centered care. We recognize the invaluable skills and abilities of all members of the care team, including our Medical Assistants, Nurses and Advanced-Practice Providers. Care team redesign means defining clear expectations and workflows to leverage each care team member's role. At Beth Israel Lahey Health Primary Care, our nurses are often the first point of contact and on the front lines of communication with our long-term care partners and patients in the community. They are highly trained and uniquely qualified professionals who can supplement the patient-provider relationship. When a patient calls one of our Kristen SilvaIN MY OPINIONIN MY OPINION
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