America has seen record growth in its gig economy — workers who are contracted, on-call, temporary or self-employed — as gig work now accounts for a third of U.S. employment. With gig work up 34 percent from its 2020 levels, the shift also means that more employees bear the risks of not having benefits like healthcare coverage and paid vacation, according to Vox.

“The nation’s healthcare delivery systems are overwhelmed, and nurses are tired and frustrated as these persistent pandemic rages on with no end in sight,” Ernest Grant, PhD, RN, president of the ANA, said in a Sept. 1 news release. “ANA stands ready to work with HHS and other stakeholders on a whole of government approach to ensure we have a strong nursing workforce today and in the future.”

In today’s healthcare environment, health systems, ACOs and skilled nursing facilities have limited visibility of patients as they transition between care settings, such as from the hospital to a post-acute facility, or from post-acute to home. Siloed information systems prevent organizations from sharing the data and analytics that can enhance the quality of patient care and avoid unnecessary costs, including readmissions.