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American Nurse Journal

Innovation at the Frontline of Nursing

Sally O. Gerard, DNP, RN, ADCES; Christin Joy Lucia, MSN, RN, CCRN

Disclosures

Am Nurs Journal. 2023;18(6)

In This Article

Abstract and Introduction
Innovation Defined
Hospitals in Crisis
Sparking Joy and Passion
References
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Abstract and Introduction

Introduction

Current healthcare challenges require reinvigorated frontline staff. The American Hospital Association's 2023 Environmental Scan provides a comprehensive and sobering account of the current workforce crisis, specifically within hospitals. The report highlights the fragility of healthcare workers, which only increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need to strengthen their resiliency and capacity. Can innovation processes provide a possible solution for keeping nurses on the frontline of hospital care?

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Next Section

Abstract and Introduction
Innovation Defined
Hospitals in Crisis
Sparking Joy and Passion
References
Sidebar 1
Sidebar 2
Sidebar 3

References

Authors and Disclosures

Sally O. Gerard, DNP, RN, ADCES and Christin Joy Lucia, MSN, RN, CCRN

Sally O. Gerard is a professor of nursing at the Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut, and clinical educator at Stamford Health in Stamford, Connecticut. Christin Joy Lucia is a clinical resource nurse at Stamford Health.

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Resources

Our research uncovered the following innovation resources and programs.

American Nurses Association and Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Nurse Pitch™ (nursingworld.org/practice-policy/innovation/events/nursepitch): This annual program supports innovation ideas, with winners receiving scholarship money, mentorship, and technology-based resources to aid development of their ideas.
American Nurses Association Innovation Awards (nursingworld.org/practice-policy/innovation/events/awards): These awards recognize and celebrate nurse-led innovation that improves patient safety outcomes. Individual winners receive monetary support of $25,000, and team winners receive $50,000.
Johnson & Johnson Nurses Innovate QuickFire Challenge (jnjinnovation.com): Nurse innovators with the best ideas receive up to $100,000 to bring their ideas to life.
Society of Nurse Innovators Entrepreneurs and Leaders (SONSIEL) (sonsiel.org): This inclusive organization empowers nurses to ideate, create, and deliver new solutions to transform healthcare and care delivery. Membership includes monthly meetings, resources, and The Healthcare Innovation Conference (THInC).

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Phase 1 Activities and Outcomes

• Kick-off event

In the fall of 2021, Rebecca Love, MSN, RN, FIEL, entrepreneur and co-founder of the Society of Nurse Scientists, Innovators, Entrepreneurs and Leaders (SONSIEL) served as guest speaker. To maximize frontline staff access to the event, it was streamed via Zoom and broadcast to every unit's conference room with a facilitator in place for support. We delivered lunch to over a dozen nursing units throughout the hospital and provided continuing education contact hours. Attendees completed a baseline questionnaire. View responses at myamericannurse.com/?p=354229.

• New agenda item

The Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice Committee added Innovation as a monthly agenda item to provide updates, generate discussion, and share ideas.

• Education

One leader attended Drexel University's 2-day virtual Online Education Program for Nurse Innovators, Entrepreneurs and Leaders.

• Mini nursing hackathon

The team hosted two 3-hour hackathons to allow individual nurses and nurse teams to explore ideas. Twelve nurses worked together on four unique ideas. Facilitators provided support and structure, which included five templated slides to use for summary pitches at the end the second session.

• Poster presentations

Mini hackathon facilitators created posters based on the groups' pitches and displayed them at the hospital's annual Nurses Day poster sessions as well as at Nursing Research Day.

• Research Day

Stamford Hospital's 2021 Annual Nursing Research Day theme was Innovation. The keynote speaker, Paul Coyne—senior VP and chief nursing office at Hospital for Special Surgery, co-founder of Inspiren, and SONSIEL board Member—shared his journey of nursing innovation. Approximately 50 staff nurses participated. The event also included a 90-minute introduction to hackathons that received spirited attendee involvement and generated creative ideas for improving care.

• Innovation pitch training

The team developed a template shared on Nursing Research Day to help nurses share strong, concise messages about their ideas.

• Hack for Health video support

In response to the American Nurses Association's call for 3-minute video submissions, the team provided support to any nurse who interested in submitting an idea.

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Phase 1 Exemplar

As part of an effort to reduce waste in the operating room, perioperative staff and management participated in the two-session hackathon. They focused on reusing blue polypropylene sterile wraps, which generate considerable trash each day. At the end of the second session, the group presented a five-slide summary of their progress using a template provided by session leaders. After the event, innovation session leaders transformed the summary slides into a professional poster, which was featured at several organizational scholarly events.

Based on this work, the innovation session leaders asked the perioperative team to create a 3-minute pitch video, which featured prominently at a hospital event and led to a funding opportunity from an outside source with the assistance of the organization's grant manager. With this infrastructure, the perioperative team collaborated with an external vendor for material reuse. They also conducted an analysis, which showed financial advantages of reuse by decreasing waste disposal costs. The work on this project continues to evolve, and the team feels inspired by its progress and the support it's received.

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