On any hospital ward, the nursing station is the central point. It can be where crucial decisions are made, patient records are maintained, and other tasks are carried out. For the nurses where, it can also be an area to take a moment of rest before diving back into caring for patients.
But how can you ensure the nurses’ station at your hospital is efficient? This can improve the overall workflow of the hospital if accomplished correctly, and this post has three of the best ways to achieve it.
Use Technological Solutions
As more and more new technologies emerge, nursing efficiency can be improved. There are multiple opportunities, such as implementing Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and using telehealth, to ease the workload of nurses. This can improve the level of care patients receive as well as reduce the risk of burnout, which roughly two-thirds of nurses are believed to experience.
Technological solutions can even be used to complete non-patient related tasks like scheduling. Advanced nurse scheduling software can plan the department’s rosters by ensuring the nurses on duty have the qualifications to meet the needs of current patients. This will improve the efficiency and care quality provided by staff by ensuring there are enough nurses available.
Easy Access to Well-Stocked Supplies
Efficient work can be carried out with the help of an organized supply room and medical storage carts. The supply room should have enough stock of critical medical supplies, medications, and equipment that is used for both routine and urgent care. It should be well-organized to ensure nurses and other staff members can find the required items quickly, especially during an emergency.
Mobile storage carts can also be used to store medical supplies. These are often more accessible than the supply rooms as they can be stored closer to the nurses’ station on the ward. InnerSpace healthcare storage, for example, can be used for department-specific equipment and supplies, which can boost the efficiency of staff. The storage solutions can even be reconfigured by the nursing team to suit their requirements.
Functional Nurses’ Station Layout
The nurses’ station is a critical area for increasing efficiency in the hospital; in fact, the design and layout are key factors. A nurses’ station will be more operational if it is closer to the patients’ rooms, allowing nurses to response in a timely manner and improve the quality of care patients receive. They should be fitted with intercom and paging systems to allow effective communication between staff members and patients.
Furthermore, the efficiency of nurses will depend on how accessible the nurses’ station is. It should be easy to access for all nurses and other healthcare workers on the ward. Nurses’ stations should be organized neatly, with no obstructions or hazards located on the floor and a clear walkway allowing staff to enter and leave with zero issues. This will improve the workflow of the ward and minimize time-consuming mistakes.
On any hospital ward, the nursing station is the central point. It can be where crucial decisions are made, patient records are maintained, and other tasks are carried out. For the nurses where, it can also be an area to take a moment of rest before diving back into caring for patients.
But how can you ensure the nurses’ station at your hospital is efficient? This can improve the overall workflow of the hospital if accomplished correctly, and this post has three of the best ways to achieve it.
