Readers Write: Healthcare’s Seasonal Surge is Upon Us. Is Your Health System Ready?

Healthcare’s Seasonal Surge is Upon Us. Is Your Health System Ready?
By Dusti Browning, RN

Dusti Browning, RN, MSN is VP of growth and client solutions for Conduit Health Partners.

Seasonal surges happen every year, and 2026 is particularly brutal. The flu was already associated with 120,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths by the end of 2025.

The winter months often bring with them a tidal wave of respiratory viruses, influenza, RSV, and COVID. Clinicians expect them. But while these spikes in patient volume are predictable, too many health systems find themselves in a challenging supply-and-demand environment that can negatively impact patient care and the bottom line.

A recent report found that 60% of nurses are experiencing a significant uptick in patient volume and case complexity amid the current flu season. As seasonal surges collide with ongoing emergency department (ED) overcrowding and staffing shortages, health systems face mounting pressure to find scalable, practical solutions.

The national report surveyed 64 nurses, half working in triage and half in transfer centers, and found that 70% of nurses believe that offering 24/7 virtual nurse triage prevents unnecessary ED visits. In fact, additional industry data points to an ED avoidance rate of 72 to 76% over the past two years, meaning nearly three out of four triage encounters are resolved without an ED visit.

While hospitals and health systems can’t eliminate seasonal surges, they can anticipate them and implement systems that reduce strain.

Protecting System Capacity Remotely

The report found the most frequent patient concerns during the seasonal surge include minor respiratory symptoms, medication management, chronic disease follow-up, and low-acuity infections. Around 75% of nurses report that remote solutions help manage these issues effectively. This is significant given the challenges facing health systems during seasonal surges. A separate study found that 35% of patients that present to an ED during the winter months wait four or more hours for a bed.

Safeguarding capacity in today’s EDs is an imperative, with stats from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing that 42.7 visits per 100 people start in the ED. As those numbers continue to increase, virtual nurse triage provides an alternative access point that is proven to reduce strain on health system EDs during seasonal surges.

Notably, the recent patient access and throughput report found that nearly one in three avoided emergency visits associated with nurse triage after regular clinic hours. This demonstrates that real-time clinical access can help patients reach the right level of care at times when they are more likely to turn to the ED. The end result is improved overall access to care, better outcomes, and lower costs. A measurable decrease in staff burden and burnout further strengthens the impact.

Enhancing Patient Experience

When seasonal outbreaks occur, capacity is at a premium, but so is staffing. Burnout continues to be rampant in healthcare. A recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll of 1,504 frontline health care employees revealed that 55% are looking for job openings, interviewing, or planning to switch to a new role in the next year.

While AI and automation are primed to ease administrative burdens in the coming years, the reality is that patients and families in distress often need to speak with a human being. When staff are lacking and already under immense strain, patient experiences are negatively impacted. Lengthy wait times to get to a professional or a frustrating technology-first approach can cause patients to turn to the ED out of desperation. Virtual nurse triage offers a more accessible, clinically appropriate alternative.

The patient access and throughput report found that roughly one in four nurses witness or suspect worsened outcomes due to delays in access or coordination. The findings reinforce the efficacy of virtual nurse triage to address operational challenges of seasonal surges and improve patient outcomes and experiences.

Readiness When Demand Peaks

The CDC predicts that flu activity could continue to rise in the coming weeks. Seasonal surges don’t have to mean bottlenecks and burnout. The data show what works: nurse-first, telephone triage reduces visits to the ED, eases the operational burden of overcrowded waiting rooms, and reduces the risk of worsened outcomes.

As health systems prepare for the next seasonal wave, integrating nurse triage into access pathways isn’t just operational. It is essential for protecting capacity, easing staff strain, and improving patient care.