Technology Innovation in Addressing Nursing Workload Intensity

In an environment of increased acuity of hospitalized patients and decreased clinical staff availability, many healthcare organizations are challenged to determine the intensity of the nursing workload required for each patient. Despite this urgent need, many healthcare organizations find that their current systems for measuring patient acuity and determining nursing workload and staffing are sorely inadequate.

Nurse leaders are searching for innovative, technology-based, data-driven, real-time metrics regarding the intensity of nursing services that are required to safely care for patients — not only how many clinical staff are required but also of what skill set as well as type and level of clinical competency.

It is critical that today’s healthcare organizations have a comprehensive view of their in-house resources across all care settings. As resources continue to remain scarce in many locales, the allocation of these resources in healthcare requires precision. But true precision can only happen with technology that provides data and information in real time.

This white paper addresses the key themes, current industry approaches, limitations, challenges, and suggested innovative solutions related to nursing workload intensity, including how to:

• Develop a consistent understanding and use of terminology.
• Improve the integration of existing systems
• Provide nurse leaders with easy and real-time access to tools
• Apply technology in new and innovative ways

This informative piece outlines how your organization can use technology toaccuratley determine nursing workload intensity.