Learning Objective #1: Increase nurses' knowledge of automation and the role it can play in improving patient safety and nurse efficiency

Learning Objective #2: Assist attendee in understanding the value of intergrating medication safety using automation into student nursing curriculum

---

Today's healthcare environment is undeniably faced with increased pressure from regulatory agencies, staffing shortages, and rising patient acuity. These are just a few of the many contributing factors that create a stressful atmosphere for the acute care staff nurse. These conditions unfortunately force nurses to search for new career opportunities and often abandoning the nursing profession entirely. In order to mitigate the above referenced stresses on patient care, hospital organizations must seek out a variety of solutions, including types of automation to enhance patient safety and nursing efficiency.

It is not uncommon for nurses to view the automation decisions made within their organizations to be outside their realm. However, in order to choose appropriate tools to accommodate nursing workflow and address the needs nurse's face in a challenging hospital environment this must involve the input of nursing leadership. Successful implementation of appropriate technology can significantly enhance the quality of care and compliance, meet regulatory demands, improve hospital reputation, protect against lawsuits and allegations, and increase patient and employee satisfaction.

Medication administration alone is an enormous task for nurses, and one in which they are constantly interrupted. It is not surprising that the administration phase of medication use is vulnerable to error. In addition, while the integration of automation has eliminated much inefficiency surrounding nursing workflow, one challenge that was introduced was how to effectively manage nursing students in the system. Healthcare facilities have been challenged with developing a process that not only complies with state nursing standards but a process that provides balance between nursing workflow and still allowing nursing students to further professional skills and education. This session may also help guide the institution and educators on the most appropriate method to adopt.