Nurse-Led Interoperability for Better Bedside Care
Nurses are at the center of the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare technologies. From EHRs and smart beds to IV pumps, real-time location systems, and virtual nursing, nurses are engaging with technology intended to impact the healthcare space. While each tool is designed to support care, poor connectivity between systems creates data silos, compounding the cognitive burden on clinical staff and leading to delays that negatively impact patient care.
Overcoming these challenges and achieving true interoperability that enhances care begins with giving nurses a seat at the table, not just as users, but as co-creators of medical technology. When nurses help shape the technologies they use every day, the results are tangible. Interoperability designed for the bedside experience leads to reductions in documentation burden, alerts, and redundant tasks for improved nurse satisfaction, increased retention, and more time for direct patient care.
Nurse-centered interoperability unlocks substantial operational value as well. Coordinated care improves operational efficiencies, lowers administrative overhead, and enhances staff productivity. These efficiencies bolster healthcare organizations’ readiness to meet CMS quality measures and value-based care incentives.
Read our article in HealthIT Answers where we explore why true interoperability begins with nurse-led design. The article offers practical strategies for involving nurses in health IT development, from vendor selection to workflow testing, while highlighting both the clinical benefits and operational efficiencies that nurse-centered interoperability delivers.
Access the full article here.
