Improving patient care through nursing innovations

Over the years, the healthcare industry has witnessed many technological innovations; in a bid to address the challenges of modern health, their implementations have made a big impact. Consequently, healthcare workers are being encouraged to familiarize themselves with the innovations that cut across every aspect of their career, changing their habits, work schedule, and daily actions. To provide better, more affordable care, nurses must leverage technology and assess policies by acting as agents of change in the healthcare industry.

In recent years, the nursing profession has been under immense pressure to deliver high-quality patient care in the face of staffing shortages and budget cuts. To meet these challenges, nurses have been turning to technology and innovation to help them work smarter. Aside from keeping up with the latest medical advancements, nurses also need to be motivated in order to provide the best possible care for their patients.

Hospitals have also promoted healthcare innovations in response to the rapid progress and development of technology. Their goal is to develop economical, efficient, patient-centered care environments. The nursing industry has come a long way, with a number of new technologies and innovations being introduced to serve across several different exciting nursing careers. These new technologies and approaches have made a big impact on staff motivation and patient care quality.

Nursing innovations at a glance

There are a number of nursing innovations that have the potential to improve patient care quality and staff morale. Some of these innovations revolve around the use of technology to improve communication and collaboration, the introduction of new roles such as the nurse navigator, and the development of nurse-led clinics. More specific examples include telehealth, nurse call systems, and patient portals. By tapping into these innovations, nurses can work more collaboratively and efficiently while also freeing up time to provide more individualized care to patients. Nurses who can implement these innovations will also feel more motivated and empowered to provide the best possible care to their patients.

On the front lines of healthcare delivery, nurses are critical thinkers. They are uniquely positioned to improve clinics by repurposing items and identifying more efficient processes. Nurses are increasingly being asked to take on more responsibility and provide more complex care.

To meet this demand, nurses must be prepared with the most up-to-date knowledge and skills. These kinds of skills can be developed with the help of BSN to MSN-FNP such as the one offered by Spring Arbor University. The program is designed for registered nurses who have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and wish to pursue a master’s degree in nursing with a focus on family nurse practitioner (FNP) practice. The program builds upon the student’s existing knowledge and experience in nursing in order to prepare them for the advanced coursework and clinical training required to become an FNP.

Nurses’ contributions to medical research and innovation

The nursing industry is one of the few sectors that have been constantly evolving over the years. With new discoveries and innovations being made every day, it is crucial for nurses to stay updated with the latest findings in order to provide the best possible care for their patients.

There are obvious benefits associated with innovation in nursing. Chief among them is improved healthcare delivery. However, delivering innovation is easier said than done. In order to provide quality, patient-centric care, nurses need to have a certain level of agility and creativity. Since nursing is one of the most risk-averse industries in the world, workers must understand the cultural and social aspects of new innovations so they can successfully implement change and attain profound benefits.

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, nurse innovators had to implement and explore new protocols and treatments as well as optimize their workflow. But apart from extenuating circumstances like the pandemic, the results of innovation in nursing bring forth several benefits including disease prevention, reduced patient mortality, and improved education.

Building an innovative nursing culture

Hospitals have also promoted healthcare innovations in response to the rapid progress and development of technology. Their goal is to develop economical, efficient, patient-centered care environments. The nursing industry has come a long way, with a number of new technologies and innovations being introduced to serve across several different exciting nursing careers. These new technologies and approaches have made a big impact on staff motivation and patient care quality.

For example, integrating new staffing solutions, like working with CompHealth, can streamline the process of filling critical roles and ensure that facilities are well-supported during times of need.

The process of innovation starts with a cultural shift, and it starts within the whole organization. The culture is synonymous with the organization’s values, vision, mission, and problem-solving capabilities. The culture of a medical facility could play a big role in the success of its innovation pipeline. To build an innovative nursing culture that fully embraces change, nurses must be able to transfer knowledge and experience across all levels of the organization. For instance, nurses at the front line must be able to share their experience with senior staff members and help bridge the gaps that exist between these levels.

The most successful nurses can gain a deeper understanding of their profession by learning new concepts and ideas in the process of innovation. A nurse who understands new technologies such as telehealth will be better equipped to ensure that patients have access to services like remote monitoring.

Granting nurses autonomy for innovation

Many nurses and medical staff members report feeling “burned out” due to the amount of work they have to do on a daily basis. The new role of the nurse navigator, combined with the long hours, can leave little time for them to pursue other interests in their free time.

To be able to lead innovation, nurses must be given autonomy and authority in areas where they can make a difference, as well as the freedom to pursue their passion projects at work. The more nurse-led programs that are being implemented, the better nurses will feel about their jobs and the more motivated they will feel about innovation at work.

Nurses must also have the liberty to share their innovative ideas with others in the field, whether it is through blogs, journals, or social media groups. They must also have opportunities to get their ideas formally recognized and celebrated in their workplace.

The field of nursing is primed for innovation

It’s an exciting time to be a nurse. From the future of needle-free flu vaccines to new medical technologies, there is so much that nurses can explore and embrace in their fields. As the industry heats up with innovations, nurses are being given more opportunities to develop skills that will make a difference when applied in hospitals and clinics. As healthcare continues to evolve, how well nurses respond will determine their very future as healers—not just for the patients they treat today but for generations to come.

Based on observations at patient bedsides, nurses have deep knowledge of best practices. As such, they are instrumental when it comes to identifying strategies that can enhance healthcare delivery. Nurses have the unique ability to innovate and introduce technological improvements that can help both patients and practitioners at all levels. They also have a great amount of flexibility and autonomy in determining which proposed solution to implement within the confines of their given organizational settings.

With the growing demand for nurses, it is essential for them to not only be prepared to respond but also to be innovative in developing new ways to deliver healthcare services. Here are some accomplishments nurses have managed to achieve today through innovation:

Smart beds

Smart beds are fitted with various sensors and monitoring systems. They help nurses with tracking weight, movement, and other vitals. These beds are designed with a built-in system that can control the pressure levels, temperature, and other vital signs of patients to ensure their safety and comfort. Nurses can also use these beds in hospitals to monitor patients’ vital signs remotely; this allows them to visit patients at their own convenience.

Smart bed technology also guarantees patients’ safety and comfort during a long hospital stay. It helps minimize patient injuries that may occur due to falls. The in-room monitor connected to smart beds provides nurses with regular communication and updates about a patient. They are able to identify patterns easily, which can give a deeper understanding of a condition or help with identifying a new condition.

Nurses don’t have to keep adjusting medical equipment and supplies since smart bed technology allows them to control everything remotely and promotes better outcomes for patients. This allows them to focus on other important duties that can only be done physically.

Predictive care models

In this model, nurses are being considered for their ability to generate medical data in real-time. For instance, when assessing a patient’s condition, nurses can identify the key symptoms that need immediate attention and transmit the data to the physicians.  Electronic medical records help nurses to identify patients in need of specialized health services. After the health system correctly identifies specific patients in need, it can predict those at risk for critical issues such as falls, ulcers, and readmissions using the data available and can take necessary action to address these risks.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine is one of the most innovative nurse-led projects. This healthcare innovation involves using e-mail, video conferencing, and other computer-based communications to connect healthcare professionals from different healthcare facilities. Nurses can provide information about conditions and assess patients’ conditions at their own homes. For example, it can be used by physicians in rural areas to provide health information and support for patients in remote areas.

Nursing team members can communicate with doctors by phone or video conference and transmit health information over secure lines; the nurses may also be able to administer treatments remotely through telemedicine. The use of telehealth has the potential to expand access to healthcare services in rural areas at a lower cost and provide specialists with the information needed for diagnosis at the point of care.

Inspired infant wear

Infants are particularly susceptible to diseases and infections. To prevent this, nurses have designed innovative infant wear that features integrated medical kits. With these, they can easily monitor infants’ health without having to remove their clothes. Customized clothes, specially designed for infants, are designed with sensors that can monitor vital signs. For instance, it can track the heart rate of newborn babies and predict any medical emergencies. The kits come with a checklist of essential medical supplies such as oxygen masks, ventilators, and pulse-oximeters that can be used when treating patients in need.

Automated IV pumps

This device is used by nurses to deliver intravenous medications and help control the patient’s vital signs. It also helps prevent potential contamination from external fluids and air; this is especially true when delivering medication in settings with limited access to sterile supplies. These pumps are designed with a reliable computerized system for monitoring and controlling the flow of medication; these devices can also be easily integrated with electronic health records to ensure human-in-the-loop monitoring.

Automated IV pumps help in controlling drips and dosages given to patients. With medical tech and software innovation, patients don’t have to wait for changes; nurses can change medication doses and drip amounts more seamlessly. There are also self-pumps, which patients can use to increase the amount of pain medication themselves, and nutrition IV pumps that control meal timings and amounts.

Collaborative care clinics

In the past, clinics were set up to promote health and wellness. Today, these are being transformed into collaborative care clinics that combine multiple healthcare professionals to manage complex patient cases. For instance, in a hospital setting, nurses can collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals to provide holistic approaches to addressing patients’ healthcare concerns. Nurses can also team up with other medical staff members to offer care coordination and disease management services to improve the quality of patient care.

Medical device carts

Nurses have also been innovating with medical devices to make their jobs easier. One of the most popular medical devices among nurses is a device called the “medical cart.” This can be used by registered nurses in various clinical settings, including home healthcare facilities, acute care hospitals, and clinics. With the duties of nurses increasing, having a workstation and technology on their side empowers them to complete all their duties. Medical carts are designed to assist in quality healthcare delivery with specific pain points. They facilitate telehealth services and aid in safe medication delivery.

Need for future innovation

The future of nursing is highly dependent on the current state of technology. With the use of technology, nurses can innovate and discover new ways to improve the healthcare system. Tech innovations and advancements help nurses in their primary duties such as communicating with other medical professionals, diagnosing patients, and making care plans for patients.

With these innovative nursing devices and innovations, nurses can improve the quality of patient care. They can reduce the risk of infection and other medical complications that are associated with handling injections, medications, equipment, and supplies.

Innovative nursing ability also helps to increase job productivity, improve quality medical service, reduce healthcare costs, improve effective treatment and care, satisfy patients’ needs, and improve accessibility to efficient healthcare services. Future innovations in healthcare are sure to provide nurses with the ability to better manage patients.