Nursing Innovations That are Accelerating the Industry

Nursing is one of the most critical, demanding, and rewarding professions in healthcare. As a nurse, you are responsible for ensuring that your patients have access to the best possible care. 

With the current nurse shortage, it has become more difficult for NHS Trusts to keep up with patient demand. Fortunately, innovations are accelerating the industry and helping nurses provide better patient care; let’s take a look… 

Medication Accuracy with Automated IV Pumps

Automated IV pumps are an invaluable nurse innovation that allows for greater medication accuracy. IV pump technology eliminates the need for manual calculations, reduces the risk of potential errors, and enables nurses to adjust medications quickly. With automated IV pumps, nurses can monitor patients’ fluid levels in real-time and take immediate action if required. 

Automation like this can save time and resources while delivering accurate and safe doses of medications. The technology will help manage nurses’ time, so they are available to focus on other tasks, leaving patients feeling more secure and cared for in ways that are most beneficial for their health. 

Portable Monitors Save Lives

Portable monitors allow nurses to track patients’ vital signs. These devices provide detailed information on the patient’s heart rate, oxygen saturation levels, temperature, and much more. Innovations like portable monitors are crucial because they enable nurses to intervene quickly and provide potentially life-saving treatments. 

Portable monitors mean a nurse can be in two places simultaneously. They no longer need to rely on old-fashioned nurse call systems, allowing them to be mobile and provide better patient care. 

Smart Beds Avoid Injury

Smart beds are nurse-controlled beds that provide safety and comfort for patients. These beds have sensors that detect patient movements, allowing nurses to assist during falls or unexpected movements. Smart beds also help reduce nurse workload as they can adjust themselves automatically according to the needs of each patient. 

Digital Nurse Call Systems

Nurse call systems are communication tools designed to help keep track of nurse availability and promote better communication between nurses and doctors. With modern, digital nurse call systems, nurses can quickly respond to medical emergencies or critical situations without leaving their current location. 

This nurse innovation ensures that nurse-to-patient ratios are efficiently maintained, and that patient safety is always a priority. 

Telehealth Technologies

Telehealth technologies are innovations that allow nurses to monitor patients remotely and provide timely interventions when needed. These technologies use internet-based communication tools to deliver quality care from a distance. For example, nurses can check in on patients, deliver medication reminders, or offer advice without needing a physical visit. 

Not only do telehealth systems save time and money, but it also gives more flexibility in providing care. It’s also beneficial for rural areas where specialist care is unavailable locally. 

Wearable devices and electronic health records 

We can’t discuss the latest innovations without mentioning wearable devices and electronic health records. Wearable devices allow nurses to track patient metrics in real-time, while electronic health records make record-keeping more straightforward and secure. 

These nurse innovations are revolutionising how nurses can deliver valuable care to their patients. These new tools have increased efficiency, improved safety and accuracy, and better patient results. To meet the challenges of nursing in an ever-changing industry, nurses must stay up-to-date on these changes. 

Study a Nursing Degree  

Technology is one thing, but it only supports the work that a well-qualified nurse does. At the University of Bolton, we provide our students with state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Suites that mimic the environment they will face when beginning life on the ward. With our courses being approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, we can offer an ideal start to a successful career at the heart of the NHS.   

At Bolton, our courses are supported by local NHS Trusts and they focus on teaching best practices and providing students with the tools and resources to effectively be part of today’s nursing army. We have passionate lecturers with industry experience who deliver quality teaching. The supportive classes set the University of Bolton apart, ensuring our students learn in a positive and supportive learning environment where their every need is supported; that’s how we have been voted first for Student Satisfaction for five consecutive years*. 

Find out more about how we can help you become a qualified nurse, and enjoy a career that is so rewarding by taking a look at our courses in more detail. 

Take your first step to joining the Bolton family, the home of #UniAsItShouldBe! 

*Complete University Guide – Student Satisfaction – Northwest – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019