Nurses are well-known for their innovation when solving patient care challenges. At BWH, nurses unlock their creativity and bring evidence to the practice setting to find solutions that ultimately improve outcomes for populations of patients.
Innovation comes from identifying solutions to problems that affect our practice and our patients as well as from piloting, operationalizing and optimizing solutions using evidence.
Our former peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheter policy required that steel needles and short IV catheters remain in place no more than four days before replacing them. Noting the unpleasant patient experience associated with frequent changes, the Intravenous Therapy (IV) nursing team conducted a literature review and identified evidence-based practices. Their expertise and research showed that many IVs could be changed based on patient symptoms rather than a given period of time, and the policy was updated as a result.
An out-of-reach call button or a misplaced TV remote or personal belonging may increase some patients’ risk of falling if they attempt to get out of bed on their own to access these items. Thoracic nurses led an effort to identify and pilot a bedside organizer to hold patient belongings and important items. They received funding from the Karsh Day pitch fest and now provide the organizer to every Thoracic patient upon admission.
Pictured: Kim Ladouceur, RN, nurse in charge for Braunwald Tower 11ABD, demonstrates the bedside organizer.
The experience of infertility treatment, including tests, medications and procedures, can be stressful for patients and loved ones. Seeking to best support patients and families during this time, clinical nurses in the Center for Infertility and Reproductive Surgery identified opportunities to standardize their workflows to improve patient education and satisfaction. These included templates for patient education that could be customized for specific fertility cycle instructions. Upon surveying patients about their experience, nurses found that patient satisfaction improved as a result.
One of the ways we showcase and share nurses’ innovative ideas is through the Estrellita & Yousuf Karsh Nursing Scholars Day.
The event includes poster presentations, awards, a pitch fest and a keynote speaker. During pitch fest, individual nurses and teams have the opportunity to present their ideas and receive funding. This year’s winning project will enable a nursing team to pilot the use of pedometers to support thoracic patients in meeting their mobility goals as quickly and safely as possible and decrease overall length of stay.
View coverage of the 2023 event.
Through the Brigham Nurse Scientist Program, every nurse has access to resources and mentorship to help them pursue research and innovative initiatives, no matter where they are in the process.
Regular offerings include research immersion days to help nurses understand different concepts of research, as well as abstract and poster workshops to assist nurses preparing for local and national presentations.
All nurses can reach out to the Brigham nurse scientists for a consult regarding writing, research, quality, a project, abstract development and submission.
Read more about two of our nurse scientists in the articles below:
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