Virtually integrated nursing care: A case study in diffusion of innovations

Kathleen Huun and Rachel Spalding
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Kathleen Huun: School of Nursing, USA
Rachel Spalding: 1315 Skipping Stone Drive, USA

Management in Healthcare: A Peer-Reviewed Journal, 2024, vol. 9, issue 1, 79-88

Abstract: Bedside nurses are suffering from nurse fatigue owing to excessive workload and work hours. Nurse fatigue results in missed nursing care, which has a direct impact on patient care and safety. Loss of experienced nurses also affects novice nurses, leaving them without strong mentoring. They may suffer from imposter syndrome, which instils self-doubt and limits their professional development, potentially resulting in burnout and attrition. A case study regarding the leadership of the Chief Nursing Officer as aligned with Rogers’ diffusion of innovations theory is presented. There is an initial accumulation of knowledge regarding the innovation, followed by persuasion (through perception of positive attributes to enhance speed of adoption), decision making, actual implementation and confirmation. Use of virtually integrated nursing helped alleviate bedside nurse fatigue by removing overtime hours and reducing workload. The virtually integrated nurses supported the bedside nurses, allowing them additional time in direct patient care, enhancing patient satisfaction and safety. The objective data indicates a decrease in patient fall by over 50 per cent. The integration of virtual nursing reversed the nurse attrition rates. Initial results revealed a 47 per cent reduction in registered nurse turnover. This allowed for retention of experienced nurses, which aids in mentoring novice nurses. The impact of virtually integrated nursing is yet to be completely realised. Based on this case study, the implementation of virtually integrated nursing is possible and beneficial to nursing, patient safety and the bottom line. This innovation had additional positive consequences and led to future considerations regarding continual process improvement and dissemination of knowledge.

Keywords: diffusion of innovation; nurse retention; patient safety; team-based models; virtual nursing; workflow (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I1 I10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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