From Burnout to Balance: How Wireless Monitors Empower Nurses in Challenging Times
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly posed unprecedented challenges for healthcare systems worldwide, placing immense pressure on nurses who are at the forefront of patient care. From battling the relentless demands of the pandemic to addressing the longstanding nursing shortage, nurses have been grappling with mounting stress and burnout. However, amidst these trials, innovative technologies like wireless vital sign monitors have emerged as a beacon of hope.
In this blog post, we will explore the challenges nurses have faced since the onset of the pandemic and delve into how wireless monitors can play a pivotal role in preventing burnout and alleviating the nursing shortage.
The Pandemic's Impact on Nursing
The pandemic has significantly affected the nursing profession, placing nurses under immense strain. Long working hours, heightened patient volumes, and the need to provide comprehensive care to critically ill individuals have pushed nurses to their limits. The overwhelming nature of the pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges, leading to physical and emotional exhaustion among healthcare providers.
A 2022 survey conducted by Ascom entitled “Challenges on the Job for US Nurses,” found that found that nearly one-third (30.97%) of nurses say their top drawback from a nursing career is having to care for more patients. Here are the top 5:
- 30.97% - having to care for more patients
- 21.7% - having pay that is too low for the job
- 11.83% - having to care for sicker patients
- 10.85% - having to work too long of hours
- 8.48% - having more unpredictability and disruption than before Covid-19
According to Ascom, today, hospital staff members are treating the type of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) a decade ago for their conditions now on general medical-surgical floors. The industry-wide nursing staffing shortage, coupled with having fewer experienced nurses to manage critical-care patients who need skilled care, compounds this issue. Ascom attributes nurses’ demand for higher, more competitive pay to make the job worth doing to these factors.
Addressing Burnout with Wireless Vital Sign Monitors
Wireless vital sign monitors, such as the ViSi Mobile developed by Sotera Digital Health, can serve as a transformative solution to mitigate nurse burnout. These innovative devices offer numerous advantages that enhance patient monitoring and nursing efficiency. By eliminating the need for frequent manual measurements, wireless monitors reduce the time nurses spend on routine tasks, allowing them to focus on providing high-quality patient care.
The seamless integration of wireless monitors with electronic health record (EHR) systems ensures that vital sign data is automatically recorded and accessible to the healthcare team. This not only streamlines documentation but also enhances communication among nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals, leading to more efficient and coordinated care.
Enhancing Patient Safety and Outcomes
Wireless vital sign monitors facilitate continuous, real-time monitoring of patients, allowing nurses to detect any physiological changes promptly. These monitors provide immediate alerts and notifications in case of abnormal vital signs, enabling nurses to intervene early and prevent potential adverse events. By minimizing manual errors and ensuring accurate data collection, wireless monitors contribute to enhanced patient safety and positive outcomes.
Additionally, wireless monitors enable remote monitoring, allowing nurses to observe patients from a distance. This feature is particularly valuable in isolation units or when dealing with contagious diseases, reducing the risk of exposure and ensuring nurse safety.
Alleviating the Nursing Shortage
The nursing shortage has been a long-standing issue, and the pandemic has only exacerbated this challenge. As healthcare systems continue to face increased demand for skilled nurses, exploring innovative solutions to address the shortage becomes crucial. Wireless vital sign monitors offer a promising avenue for alleviating this strain.
By automating vital sign measurements, wireless monitors reduce the burden on nurses, enabling them to manage a larger number of patients without compromising the quality of care. This increased efficiency helps to bridge the gap between patient needs and nursing resources, ultimately relieving the pressure on healthcare systems grappling with the nursing shortage.
Addressing the Burden of Documentation
According to the aforementioned Ascom survey, documentation adds to the rising challenges on the job. Nearly 50% of nurses say reporting and documentation requirements have decreased their enthusiasm and engagement a lot to a great deal. This deluge of requirements for documentation has become a source of frustration from nurses. Nurses, nurse assistants, or technicians manually measure as many as four to six vital signs per round, record each result on a chart, and then enter all of that data into the electronic health record (EHR), which could take up to three hours per shift.
One of the key features of the Sotera ViSi Mobile is its ability to reduce the need for frequent spot check monitoring. With Visi Mobile, continuous real-time monitoring is made possible, eliminating the need for frequent interruptions to manually measure vital signs. Clinicians can now access up-to-date vital sign data whenever needed, enabling them to make informed decisions and interventions promptly. By leveraging its advanced features, Visi Mobile revolutionizes the way vital signs are managed and integrated into electronic health records (EHRs).
The integration of Visi Mobile with EHR systems is a game-changer in addressing the burden of documentation. Vital sign data collected by the wireless monitors is seamlessly transferred and integrated into the patient's electronic health record. This integration ensures that accurate and up-to-date vital sign information is readily available for review, analysis, and sharing among the healthcare team. Clinicians can access the data in a comprehensive and organized format, enabling them to make data-driven decisions and provide more personalized care to patients.
By automating vital signs documentation and integrating it with EHR systems, Visi Mobile not only saves time but also enhances the accuracy and accessibility of vital sign data. Clinicians can easily track trends, compare previous measurements, and identify any significant changes in a patient's condition. This comprehensive view of vital signs data supports more proactive and preventive care, leading to improved patient outcomes.
In the face of an ongoing pandemic and nursing shortage, the integration of wireless vital sign monitors represents a significant step towards supporting nurses and improving patient care. These innovative technologies streamline the monitoring process, enhance patient safety, and alleviate the burden on healthcare providers. As we embrace the potential of wireless monitors, it is crucial for healthcare institutions and manufacturers like Sotera Digital Health to continue investing in research and development to create even more advanced solutions that empower nurses and revolutionize the way we deliver healthcare.
The ViSi Mobile offers a range of features that significantly improve the efficiency of clinician time, streamline vital signs management, and address the burden of documentation. By reducing spot check monitoring, automating data collection, and seamlessly integrating with EHR systems, it empowers clinicians to provide timely and accurate care while minimizing administrative tasks. This innovative solution marks a significant step forward in enhancing patient care and optimizing clinician workflows.
By embracing these innovative technologies, we can empower nurses, improve patient outcomes, and build a stronger and more resilient healthcare system for the future. Together, let us strive for a healthier tomorrow where nurses can thrive and patients can receive the exceptional care they deserve.