This Years Severe Flu Season Strains Emergency Departments | How AccessNurse Can Help Ease the Burden
It’s that time of year again.
As the 2025 flu season unfolds, hospitals and healthcare systems across the country are grappling with unprecedented challenges. Emergency departments (EDs) are overwhelmed with patients presenting flu-related complications, leading to longer wait times, resource shortages, and increased strain on already overburdened healthcare professionals.
A recent report by Becker’s Hospital Review highlights the severity of the situation, emphasizing the urgent need for solutions that relieve the pressure on EDs while ensuring patients receive timely, appropriate care.
The Growing Strain on Emergency Departments
This year’s flu season is shaping up to be one of the most severe in recent memory. According to healthcare leaders cited in Becker’s, emergency departments are experiencing a surge in patient volumes, with many hospitals reporting that wait times have skyrocketed, beds are at capacity, and staff are stretched thin.
Complicating matters further, the flu season coincides with continued staffing shortages and high levels of burnout among healthcare workers—residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In many cases, ED visits for flu-related symptoms are non-emergent and could be handled in alternative care settings, such as primary care offices, urgent care clinics, or through remote triage services.
However, without a system to guide patients to the right care at the right time, these non-urgent cases contribute to overcrowding, which delays critical care for those experiencing life-threatening conditions.
The impact isn’t limited to hospitals—patients, too, are left feeling frustrated and underserved by the delays, while practices and physicians struggle to field increased calls and after-hours requests for flu-related care.
AccessNurse: A Trusted Partner in Reducing Strain
At AccessNurse, we specialize in helping healthcare systems and practices navigate challenges like this severe flu season. Our nurse triage and after-hours answering services provide an essential layer of support to keep EDs clear for true emergencies and ensure patients get the care they need without unnecessary delays.
Here is how we can help during this critical time:
24/7 Nurse Triage Services
Our team of experienced, registered nurses is available 24/7 to assess symptoms, provide guidance, and help patients figure out their next steps.
Got a parent worried about their child’s fever at 2 a.m.? We’ve got it covered.
We’ll guide them to the right level of care—whether it’s staying home, heading to urgent care, or seeking immediate attention—so your ED stays focused on true emergencies.
Customizable Solutions for Practices and Systems of All Sizes
Every healthcare organization is different, and we get that. Whether you’re a small practice or part of a large system, our solutions are fully customizable to meet your needs.
The Importance of Proactive Care Coordination
The Becker’s Hospital Review article underscores the critical role of care coordination in managing surges like this year’s flu season.
By implementing systems that guide patients to the most appropriate care setting, healthcare organizations can reduce unnecessary ED visits, improve patient satisfaction, and alleviate the burden on their teams.
AccessNurse’s services are designed to do just that—improve care coordination while providing peace of mind to both patients and providers.
Why Choose AccessNurse?
Our proven approach ensures:
- Fewer unnecessary ED visits, keeping emergency departments available for true medical emergencies.
- Improved patient outcomes by guiding patients to the right care at the right time.
- Enhanced provider satisfaction, as your team spends less time managing after-hours calls and non-emergent inquiries.
- A seamless patient experience, with compassionate, professional guidance every step of the way.
Partner With AccessNurse Today
The severe flu season is straining resources, but your organization does not have to face it alone. At AccessNurse, we are committed to being your partner in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care while alleviating the pressures on your team.
Take action now to improve patient care and reduce strain on your practice or system. Contact us today to learn more about how AccessNurse’s 24/7 nurse triage and after-hours answering services can make a difference for your organization and your patients this flu season.
For more information, contact our Director of Business Development, Jeanne Griffin:
