When nurses are empowered to lead, this is what happens
Nurse-led trial of a device that has improved outcomes for patients and reduced bed days is an example of healthcare improvements that are achieved when nurses are empowered. The author cites the innovation as evidence of how nurses can transform care if they have the resources and leadership. She hopes the example will inspire other nurses to get in touch to share their successes in innovations in practice.
Impressive results of nurse-led catheter trial add to evidence that empowering nurses works for patients and healthcare budgets
If you want something done ask a nurse. Better still (though not as catchy), if nurses are empowered to lead change then the results for patient care will speak for themselves.
The findings of a hospital trust’s six-month trial of female external catheters (FECs) attracted significant attention when we reported on the initiative. Other nursing staff want to learn of the achievements of the nurse-led team at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, who offered eligible patients an FEC instead of a continence pad or internal catheter.
Nurse-led trial addressed important patient need, and so reduced costs
The aim was to reduce pressure sores and other skin conditions. None of the 45 patients who used FECs developed incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) and there was an overall 93% reduction in IAD.
The trial saved 132 bed days, saving around £70,000 across two wards, likely impressing the trust’s board as this was just the trial phase data. Now it has been introduced across three hospital sites, with ‘nursing champions’ at the centre of the innovation, advising and supporting patients.
Drive of service’s lead nurse was able to transform care and outcomes
A number of nurses commenting on social media say they had training on these catheters, which look like blue bananas, but the devices had not been taken forward into regular practice.
There are different reasons, for example lack of resources or leadership, why some initiatives surge ahead and others don’t get over the starting line.
RELATED: How to lead a quality improvement project
But at UHL, the enthusiasm of continence service lead nurse Elinor Howcroft was clear and a driving force in converting a successful trial into practice.
Research shows that empowering nurses, unsurprisingly, leads to better patient outcomes.
Nurse innovations: share your good news with us
UHL is not alone in its clinical initiative and we want to hear more such nurse-led innovations, so do get in touch.
Good news does fly and we want to share the best of nursing practice.
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