## Nurse โSafety & โคAI Integration Dominate discussions at HLTH 2025
LAS โVEGAS – Key themes emerging from โthe HLTH conference this week centered on the increasing need toโ address โฃnurse safetyโ and the critical role of nurses in the responsible implementation of โขartificial intelligence within healthcare systems.A growing concern highlighted at the event was the rising incidence of assaultโ and harassment againstโ nurses. Mensik Kennedy noted nurses are assaulted more frequently enough โขthan corrections officers, sparking discussion on staff well-being.
Nurses also had aโข more prominent presence at HLTH this year, with the inaugural Nurses’ Pavilion โคand dedicated panelsโ showcasing their expertise. These discussionsโ included topics ranging from healthcare startup launches to integrating technology into existing health systems.Lavonia Thomas,โข nursing informatics officer at The University of Texas MD anderson Cancer Center, emphasized that hospitals mustโฃ collaborate with nurses from the outset โwhen adopting AI tools, โmoving awayโ from simplyโ handing nurses finished products andโฃ expecting adaptation.
Health equity remained โa vital focus despite recent โฃclosures of diversity offices and programme targeting underserved communities. Dr. โUchรฉ Blackstock, founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity, urged healthcare leaders to “be brave” โand maintain their commitment to improving care in โขunderserved communities. Blackstock expressed โฃreassurance that many organizations are continuing theseโข efforts under differentโข names,such as population health,while also cautioningโ that biased AI tools could hinder progress.
