Nurses in Wichita are rallying for better staffing and patient safety amid concerns over AI in healthcare

Shelly Rader, a registered nurse, emphasized the need for more nurses. She said, “They need to hire nurses, retain nurses, give us incentives to come and work at this hospital.”
The nurses are also worried about the role of artificial intelligence in hospitals. Rader mentioned, “We want to be informed of any kind of AI that is being brought into our hospitals. We do not want patients to be taken care of under undesirable AI issues.”
She reassured patients, saying, “We are here for them. We will continue to fight for them.”
Recent data shows that about 19% of U.S. hospitals had adopted some form of AI by 2022. Most of them use it to streamline workflows or predict patient needs.
Via Christi responded to the nurses’ concerns, stating they value their nurses’ expertise and are committed to safe staffing. They have strategies in place to recruit and keep skilled nurses, ensuring quality care for patients.
The spokesperson added, “Patient care and safety are always our top priorities. By responsibly embracing innovation, we aim to support our care teams.”