Nurses spend hours at their workstations and many report physical discomfort, and even miss work days because of it. Is it time to re-evaluate your clinic’s workstation experience for nurses?
Properly designed equipment and spaces are more comfortable to use, and better for nurse well-being. By supporting happier, healthier nurses, you will also find it is easier to recruit and retain them — and enable better patient care as a result.
Reduce Nurse Burnout for Better Patient Care
A significant reason for nurse burnout relates to high administrative workloads. Nurses spend on average 35% of their shift on documentation, including up to three hours of computer time in an EHR system during a 12-hour shift. In one survey, almost half of nurses (49%) reported feeling discomfort while inputting charting data at a point-of-care workstation, and 61% said they were concerned about the physical placements of the technology they use. Nurses also report back pain (52%), exhaustion (38%) and sore necks (33%).
Due to physical discomfort, nurses admit they can become:
- 22% less friendly or engaging with patients
- 22% less active on the job
- 17% more distracted
Expectations for Millennial and Generation Z Nurses
Younger nurses most likely have not yet experienced compound musculoskeletal disorders as their older peers have, so their immediate concerns tend to be different.
“Generally, millennials and Gen Z aren’t feeling these body aches yet, but they expect a seamless interaction between the physical environment and technology. They expect simple workflows,” said Bob Hill, Ergotron Healthcare Territory Account Manager.
“Healthcare organisations have a responsibility to implement more ergonomic technology solutions, that address the physical and mental force it takes to perform caregiving tasks,” said Dr. Mark Vettraino, executive director of the ergonomic consulting group TaskGroup International. “It also speaks volumes about their capability as a treatment centre.”
How to Improve the Documentation and Charting Experience
To address these issues, stakeholders need to understand the intersection of patients, caregivers, technology and built environments.
Consider these three factors:
Right Workstation, Right Space
Space often dictates how technology fit in a room, and when there is not enough of it, caregivers may have to work at an impractical or awkwardly placed in-room computer workstation, which exacerbates these issues. Designed for ever-changing workflows, Ergotron’s professional-grade portfolio of computer wall mounts, medical carts, desk mount monitor arms and services are ready to support your entire facility. Numerous accessories are available to enable bespoke cart designs.
Say No to Power Anxiety
Keeping devices powered on is critical, and alleviating “power anxiety” by providing logical, intuitive power solutions are key. At any moment, a nurse could be managing the battery status of numerous devices, including communication devices, workstation-on-wheels (WOWs), laptops, tablets, wireless printers and more — in addition to critical medical devices and equipment.
The average tablet battery life is 8.7 hours while the average nursing shift is between 8 and 12 hours. Most nurses feel frustrated when technology runs out of power, however, Millennial and Gen Z nurses are more likely to feel frustrated.
The solution: Reliable hot swap batteries and multiple charging points in key areas to reduce the mental load of ‘power anxiety’ for nurses.
Go Mobile and Simplify Workflows
Hospital and regulatory policies often dictate medication and resupplying workflows, but they often fail to recognise the additional physical and mental effect on nurses. Mobile carts and WOWs are options that can help solve these “last mile” care delivery challenges. Ergotron’s range of mobile supply cabinets and dedicated mobile documentation carts allow nurses to bring multiple tasks into one tool to simplify workflows.
Learn more and see the full references in this Ergotron white paper.
For more information on ergonomic workstation solutions by Ergotron contact:
Leanne Goff, Healthcare BDM | leanneg@sektor.co.nz | 021 347 022
