Carpenter JS, Draucker CB, Ellis RJB, Ferren MD, Gilbert JH, Newhouse RP, Von Ah D. A study of Indiana University Health's spirit of inquiry and innovation during COVID.
Nurs Outlook 2021;
70:137-144. [PMID:
34627616 PMCID:
PMC8495053 DOI:
10.1016/j.outlook.2021.06.019]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background
COVID-19 has required nursing innovations to meet patient care needs not previously encountered.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to describe nursing innovations conceived, implemented, and desired during the first COVID-19 surge.
Methods
The investigators invited registered nurses employed across 16 Midwest hospitals (6,207) to complete the survey. Respondents provided demographics and written descriptions of innovations they conceived, witnessed, and desired. Investigators analyzed text responses using standard content analytic procedures and summarized quantitative demographics using percentages.
Findings
Nurses reported seven types of innovations that would (a) improve personal protective equipment (PPE), (b) limit the need to repeatedly don and doff PPE, (c) ensure safer practice, (d) conserve and access supplies, (e) provide patient and family education and support, (f) make team member communication more efficient, and (g) improve peer support.
Discussion
Nurses are in a unique position to generate innovative solutions to meet patient care needs under adverse and rapidly changing situations.
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