Innovation in Healthcare: 2024 Conferences Promote Patient Safety & Nurse Efficiency

Continuing education and collaborating directly with nurses is integral to what we do at I.V. House. We value the opportunity to attend conferences nationwide to fuel our growth and innovation and continue pushing the healthcare industry forward. This spring and summer, we attended:

• The 33rd Annual Conference of the Society of Pediatric Nurses in Phoenix, Ariz.
• Children’s Wisconsin Annual Pediatric Nursing Conference in Brookfield, Wis.
• Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Midwest Pediatric Trauma Conference in St. Louis, Mo.

Each event provided a unique learning experience for the I.V. House team while contributing to two key focus areas: patient safety and nurse efficiency. Here are five takeaways from these conferences with more information about why we felt these messages were particularly important.

5 Conference Takeaways On Patient Safety & Nursing Efficiency:

1. A System-Wide Approach to Process Improvement

Healthcare is increasingly adopting a system-wide approach to process improvements that enhance patient outcomes—encouraging a “big picture” view of care delivery. This approach uses multi-disciplinary collaboration to streamline workflows and reduce redundancies between hospitals, clinics, and administrative functions. By shifting to an interprofessional strategy, the goal is to create a patient-centered experience where all aspects of care are interconnected.

2. Involving and Educating Family or Caregivers in Patient Care Plans

Nurses handle many aspects of care delivery on their own, but there are opportunities to advocate for their patients and improve the hospital experience by involving a patient’s loved ones.

Family members and caregivers can provide crucial insights into a patient’s preferences, health history, and daily routines. This input helps align treatment goals with the patient’s values and lifestyle, which fosters adherence to care plans and improves outcomes. There are several other benefits to engaging a patient’s support network, including:

• Better communication about health conditions and care plans
• Improved patient and caregiver satisfaction
• Fewer misunderstandings
• Greater emotional support to patients and their loved ones

3. Networks and Associations are Addressing Nurse Burnout

Having conversations about burnout among nurses is more important than ever, with recent surveys showing that 62% of the workforce experiences unmanageable stress. Nurses who are struggling with burnout should request training and support as needed.

The industry is taking a multifaceted approach to address burnout, aiming to improve the work environment and the overall well-being of nurses by:

• Enhancing staffing levels to reduce workload
• Implementing more flexible scheduling options
• Providing access to mental health resources and support services
• Improving workplace culture by fostering better communication
• Recognizing and rewarding nursing contributions
• Offering professional development opportunities

Asking for help is critical. Nurses are entitled to the same exceptional care they provide their patients.

4. Innovation in Products & Practices

Simply put: What healthcare professionals have been using for the last 20+ years doesn’t cut it anymore. Advances in technology and care delivery offer new opportunities to shake things up, from huddle styles to leadership communication to the creation of task forces and more. Integrating cutting-edge medical technologies offers unprecedented access to more precise and timely health information, enhanced diagnostic accuracy, and personalized treatment plans. By incorporating new solutions to current challenges and future needs, the industry can be more effective, efficient, and patient-centric.

5. Key Takeaway: The Journey to ZERO Harm

Healthcare professionals are working relentlessly to eliminate patient harm through a comprehensive approach that emphasizes safety, quality, and continuous improvement. This includes implementing robust protocols for infection control, enhancing patient safety practices, and leveraging technologies like electronic health records and automated alerts to reduce the risk of errors. Organizations must also focus on fostering a culture of transparency and reporting, where nurses are encouraged to identify and communicate potential hazards without fear of the consequences. Finally, ongoing training and education must be provided to keep staff updated on best practices and emerging safety standards.

I.V. House Advocates for Nursing Efficiency & Quality Patient Care

At I.V. House, we value the opportunity to attend healthcare conferences and advocate for nurses—because we are a company developed by a nurse, with IV protection products specifically designed to support their work. Explore the full I.V. House product portfolio. For more information, contact our sales team or request a sample.

Want to learn more? See a list of recent and upcoming conferences where I.V. House will be onsite.