Nurses, invent what you want.

[x4livin]

A few years ago, we were talking about how cool it would be to have a way to hook suction up to a patient's genitals and simply vacuum away the urine, and then someone invented the primafit. Years ago, we were talking about how the docs were prescribing Vicodin for arthritis pain, and how cool it would be if they would combine ibuprofen with the hydrocodone instead of acetaminophen because it would also act as an anti-inflammatory...and then someone invented Vicoprofin. What healthcare products have you "invented", only to see it come to fruition as an actual invention? What healthcare products/meds would you invent, if you had the means to produce it. Maybe we can get together and make some things happen and create some things to work smarter, not harder. I would like to see wireless tele, stick on forehead temp probes(wireless), a better way to check blood sugar in patient than relentlessly poking sore, fragile fingers, and a butt coating product that stayed on to stop further excoriation from loose stools. (I probably want much more, but that's all I can think of off hand.)

[Ioreth, ADN, RN]

On 7/15/2021 at 5:46 PM, RN.brii said:

I would love to have a monitor at the nurses station that’s programmed to the pumps and shows all the IV meds/fluids in progress (similar to tele monitoring). That way you could keep an eye on what’s currently running, how much longer it has to run, & when it’s finished for all your patients in a centralized location. That way when it’s beeping, you’ll know whether you need to grab a new bag to replenish or just flush and lock the IV because whatever else was running is done. I feel it could save a lot of time instead of running in and out of rooms.

I've looong been saying I want this! We use Alaris pumps that can be programmed from within our charting system (EPIC). They already "talk" to the computer and report on the rate. Making a pump monitor seems like it would be fairly easy with what they can already do!

Another thing I want: A way to check if the bed alarm is on from outside the room and alarm it. Button and LED light at the door would be perfect. No need to creep in and wake up a sleeping patient to make sure the alarm is set.

[NurseJay]

On 7/4/2021 at 7:03 PM, x4livin said:

a butt coating product that stayed on to stop further excoriation from loose stools.

There is a product we use called Cavilon Advance where a layer of the product is applied with a sponge-like applicator to provide a protective layer to the excoriated skin. We reapply every 5 days, and in between we spray Cavilon spray. No other creams to be used. Seems to help with our patients with incontinence associated dermatitis.

[guest1163268]

How about a committee meeting once a week, made up of all disciplines like a multi disciplinary TX team elected by the members of the discipline themselves, in an anonymous vote so neither seniority or overbearing persons can dominate. Staff members can anonymously submit to their elected person their concerns.

The elected person is representing the concerns of each discipline as related to the unit's issues re work, morale etc with possible solutions proposed within the confines of the unit's goals, tx plans etc? 

The manager or head of each Dept can then get a report and formulate viable solutions. 

I can see this really helping because stuffed shirts people will get feedback re their behaviors and from multiple sources which since it's in the open, they will have to change their behaviors! Also problems will be aired and definitely have to be addressed before a situation arises.