Innovative Pediatric Solutions with the Helen App
Children's Mercy has introduced something revolutionary in pediatric healthcare—the Helen app. This innovative mobile platform aims to transform the way nurses deliver care by alleviating the burdens of non-clinical tasks. By being the first children's hospital to implement such a solution, Children's Mercy is embracing a new era of healthcare that prioritizes patient care and supports nursing staff.
Understanding the Need for Change
Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, often find themselves bogged down by various non-clinical responsibilities. Research indicates that nurses may spend up to 30% of their shift on tasks that don't require their clinical expertise, whether it's fetching water for a patient or arranging room supplies. This inefficiency not only adds to the workload but also contributes to burnout. Given the imminent nursing shortage projected to reach over 63,000 nurses, addressing this issue is crucial.
How Helen App Makes a Difference
The Helen app is designed to tackle these issues head-on. With a few taps, nurses can delegate non-medical tasks to a specialized concierge team, freeing them to focus on what truly matters: providing exceptional patient care. Tasks such as delivering supplies or adjusting room settings can now be managed without disrupting nursing workflows.
A Testimony to Innovation
Dr. Alejandro Quiroga, President and CEO of Children's Mercy, expresses, "Helen is not merely a tool; it’s a complete rethinking of how we deliver care." The app represents a commitment to enhance the professional lives of nurses by granting them back their most precious resource: time. This time allows for deeper connections with patients and families, fostering better outcomes and satisfaction.
Real-World Impact of the Helen App
The initial rollout of the Helen app on two inpatient units, totaling 52 beds, revealed impressive results within just 60 days:
- 75,000 minutes returned to nursing teams.
- Over 14,000 tasks efficiently completed.
- Approximately one hour gained back for each nurse per shift.
- 1.4 million steps saved, equating to 583 miles previously walked for non-clinical activities.
Such outcomes are only the beginning, as Children's Mercy has exciting plans for expanding the app’s capabilities to additional floors, enabling even greater efficiency in patient care.
Empowering Nurses for Quality Care
The significance of Helen extends beyond operational efficiency. Stephanie Meyer, Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive at Children's Mercy, highlights how the app empowers nurses to operate at the top of their professional license. By alleviating the weight of non-clinical duties, clinicians can dedicate their energy to providing high-quality bedside care, fostering compassion and excellence.
Operational Insights for Future Improvements
In addition to enhancing the workflow for nurses, the Helen app also gathers operational data that can be leveraged for further improvements in practice efficiencies. In the future, families may even interact with the app to address non-clinical needs through various mobile interfaces, making the care process more inclusive.
About Children's Mercy
Founded in 1897, Children's Mercy is a leading independent pediatric health system that focuses on advancing pediatric healthcare and research. With numerous hospitals and specialty clinics across state lines, the organization is committed to providing exceptional, family-centered care. Children's Mercy reinvests donations to foster innovative medical practices, support research, and train future pediatric specialists. They are a well-recognized entity in the healthcare community, frequently earning accolades from various rankings for their commitment to nursing excellence and pediatric care.
Children's Mercy is on a steadfast mission to transform healthcare for families and children across the region, ensuring brighter tomorrows for the next generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Helen app?
The Helen app aims to remove non-clinical tasks from nurses’ schedules, allowing them to focus more on patient care.
What impacts has the Helen app shown?
During its pilot phase, the app returned significant time to nursing teams and improved task efficiency.
How does Helen empower nurses?
By alleviating non-clinical duties, nurses can operate at their full capacity, enhancing their connection with patients.
What are the future plans for the Helen app?
The app is set for broader implementation across more hospital floors, with potential enhancements for family interactions.
Why is improving nursing efficiency important?
Improving nursing efficiency is crucial as it addresses burnout and the ongoing nursing shortage, ultimately leading to better patient care.
