Technology Enhancing Nursing Services: A Case of a Nursing Application

The article from Cleveland explores the influence of technology on nursing services, focusing on a practical solution to a pervasive problem in healthcare: the shortage of nurses. A new nurse-on-demand application aims to help address this issue by connecting registered nurses with patients who need home care.

The Problem of Nursing Shortages

The article presents the problem of nursing shortages as a significant issue affecting the healthcare sector. An aging population, the retirement of seasoned nurses, and the demand for healthcare services is outpacing the number of available nursing professionals. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation, stretching health care resources thin and propelling burnout, as nurses struggle to meet the increasing demand for healthcare services.

The Role of the Nursing Application

In light of these challenges, the nursing application provides a timely solution. Creating a digital platform, it connects registered nurses to patients or families who require nursing services at home. Similar to ride-sharing apps, patients can schedule visits, access real-time updates on nurse arrivals, and review a nurse’s qualifications and ratings from other patients. It offers multiple services, including wound care, medication administration, health assessments, and patient health education, among others. Nurse users of the app receive notifications of nearby jobs and can select the ones that fit their schedule and expertise.

Addressing Healthcare Accessibility and Quality

The application proves instrumental in enhancing healthcare accessibility. By delivering care, right at patients’ homes, it is an innovative way to supplement traditional hospital or clinic visits. It is particularly beneficial for patients with mobility issues, chronic conditions, or those who prefer the convenience and comfort of in-home care. Furthermore, quality of care is also upheld as only registered and vetted nurses using the app and patients can rate and review the nursing services they receive.

Impact on Nurses

On the side of the nurses, the app offers flexibility. It allows them to choose job opportunities that align with their schedules, ensuring a healthier work-life balance. This flexibility meets the evolving needs of today’s nursing workforce and may, in turn, help in reducing nurse burnout—a key contributor to the nursing shortage. It also provides an avenue for them to earn extra income, creating a win-win situation for both nurses and patients.

Conclusion: Embracing Technological Solutions in Healthcare

The article ends with a nod to the potential of technology to address systemic issues in healthcare, such as nursing shortages. The advent of the nurse-on-demand app showcases an effective and innovative use of technology to enhance healthcare delivery. By connecting nurses to patients, it bridges the gap between the nursing supply and demand while ensuring quality care. Moreover, by offering flexibility to nurses, it addresses the work-life balance issue, potentially reducing nurse burnout and attrition rate. The adoption of such technology-based solutions underscores the need for the healthcare industry to embrace digitization even more to keep up with the evolving demands and challenges of healthcare delivery.

Original Article: https://www.cleveland.com/news/2023/09/need-a-nurse-theres-an-app-for-that.html