D031 Evidence-Based Innovation Proposal in Nursing Practice

D031 Evidence-Based Innovation Proposal in Nursing Practice

Student Name

Western Governors University

D031 Advancing Evidence-Based Innovation in Nursing Practice

Prof. Name:

Date

Innovation Proposal

Scholarly Examples of Disruptive Innovations that Improved Healthcare

Disruptive innovations have transformed healthcare delivery by improving accessibility, efficiency, and patient outcomes. One of the most influential innovations is telehealth, which enables patients to receive medical care remotely. Telehealth has significantly expanded access to healthcare services by allowing providers to evaluate, diagnose, and manage patients from their homes (Haleem et al., 2021). This model is particularly effective for follow-up care, chronic disease management, and mental health services, where physical presence is not always required.

Telehealth also enhances convenience and affordability for patients. Individuals no longer need to take time off work, arrange childcare, or incur transportation expenses to attend appointments. From a public health perspective, telehealth reduces exposure risks for immunocompromised individuals by limiting time spent in crowded clinical settings. Additionally, patients who lack reliable transportation benefit from uninterrupted access to care. For healthcare providers, telehealth supports interdisciplinary collaboration by enabling real-time access to patient records, diagnostic imaging, laboratory results, and medication histories, which facilitates faster clinical decision-making (Haleem et al., 2021).

Another major disruptive innovation is robotic-assisted surgery, which has advanced surgical precision and patient safety. Robotic surgery was first introduced in 1985 with a stereotactic brain biopsy performed at Stanford University, marking a turning point in surgical practice (National Institutes of Health, n.d.). Since then, robotic systems have been adopted across multiple surgical specialties.

Robotic-assisted procedures improve surgical outcomes by offering enhanced stability, precise instrument control, smaller incisions, and improved visualization. These advantages reduce intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain, and recovery time while improving overall quality of life (Tan et al., 2016). From the provider perspective, robotic systems reduce physical strain and support consistent performance, even during complex procedures.

How the Nurse Innovator Demonstrates a Role in the Conceptual Model

Nurse innovators play a critical role in managing the healing environment by addressing social, cultural, economic, and ethical factors that influence patient care. Within the nursing conceptual model, innovation aligns with leadership, advocacy, and evidence-based practice (Western Governors University, 2021).

An example of this role is demonstrated by a nurse manager overseeing a cardiac step-down unit with an increasing population of patients for whom English is a second language. Staff identified communication barriers due to limited availability of medical interpreters, which posed risks to patient safety and care delays. In response, the nurse manager conducted a budget analysis and allocated funds to purchase tablets equipped with multilingual translation software.

To maximize effectiveness, the nurse manager strategically assigned devices to high-demand processes such as patient admissions and discharges. Recognizing that the unit’s size required additional resources, she presented leadership with evidence-based research demonstrating how translation technology improves communication, reduces medical errors, and enhances patient satisfaction. Leadership approved the acquisition of additional tablets, resulting in improved patient safety outcomes, increased satisfaction scores, and higher staff morale due to access to adequate tools for patient care.

Using Big Data for Innovation

Benefit

Big data analytics plays a vital role in healthcare innovation by leveraging information collected through mobile health applications, wearable devices, and electronic health records. These data sets allow providers to identify behavioral patterns, environmental exposures, and physiological changes that contribute to disease development (Price & Cohen, 2019). By analyzing large volumes of data, healthcare systems can identify high-risk patients earlier and implement individualized care plans.

The ability to personalize interventions reduces unnecessary treatments, improves health outcomes, and lowers healthcare costs. Big data also supports population health initiatives by identifying trends that inform prevention strategies and policy development.

Challenge

Despite its benefits, the use of big data presents significant challenges related to patient privacy and data security. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 protects traditional healthcare information; however, it does not fully cover data generated by smartphones, wearable devices, online health searches, or consumer health applications (Price & Cohen, 2019). This regulatory gap increases the risk of unauthorized data use and breaches.

Although some technology companies voluntarily adopt privacy safeguards, inconsistent regulation raises ethical concerns. These challenges underscore the need for healthcare professionals to advocate for stronger protections and transparent data governance.

ANA Code of Ethics to Guide Ethical Use of Big Data

The American Nurses Association (ANA) emphasizes that ethical practice must guide the integration of big data and artificial intelligence into healthcare. According to the ANA Center for Ethics and Human Rights (2022), nurses remain fully accountable for clinical decisions, even when technology is involved. Technology should support—not replace—professional judgment.

Ethical nursing practice requires protecting patient privacy, ensuring informed consent, and promoting equity in access to technology. Nurses must understand how data are collected, stored, and used, and they must clearly explain this information to patients. Additionally, nurses should assist patients in navigating complex digital consent agreements and advocate for human rights–focused technological solutions that reduce health disparities (ANA Center for Ethics and Human Rights, 2022).

Using New Technology for Innovation

Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) systems were developed to reduce medication errors and improve prescribing safety. These systems allow providers to electronically order medications, laboratory tests, procedures, and referrals (Alotaibi & Federico, 2019). CPOE is often integrated with Clinical Decision Support (CDS), which provides real-time alerts for allergies, drug interactions, abnormal laboratory values, and evidence-based treatment recommendations.

The combined use of CPOE and CDS significantly reduces clinical errors and enhances workflow efficiency. For example, at Jackson Madison County General Hospital in Tennessee, the implementation of Cerner CPOE improved turnaround times for diagnostic tests and medication verification (West Tennessee Healthcare, n.d.). Emergency chest x-rays were completed in one-third of the previous time, and pharmacy order verification was reduced from an hour to approximately 15 minutes, demonstrating measurable operational improvements.

Proposed Disruptive Innovation to Improve Healthcare Outcomes

The proposed disruptive innovation is a wearable infrasensor wristband designed to detect early signs of myocardial infarction within minutes. This device uses infrared light technology to detect cardiac biomarkers such as troponin I through the thin skin of the wrist (University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, 2023). Data collected by the sensor are processed through an algorithm that identifies patterns associated with cardiac injury.

Once abnormal biomarker levels are detected, the device automatically alerts emergency services, even if the individual is unable to respond. In addition to detecting acute events, the wristband can identify individuals at elevated risk, enabling early intervention and preventive care. Given that heart attacks are the second leading cause of death globally (World Health Organization, 2021), this innovation has substantial potential to improve survival and reduce long-term cardiac damage.

Description of Proposed Healthcare Organization

The proposed setting for implementation is an assisted living facility serving adults aged 50 and older. Many residents have multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity, smoking history, sedentary lifestyle, and genetic predisposition. Despite these risks, routine diagnostic testing such as EKGs and cardiac labs is typically limited to symptomatic residents or those on specific medications.

Care delivery primarily consists of medication administration, periodic provider rounds, and hourly nursing checks. This structure creates a gap in continuous cardiac monitoring, increasing the risk of undetected cardiac events.

How Innovation Supports Organizational Goals or Strategies

The assisted living facility’s primary goal is to provide coordinated, accessible, and high-quality healthcare while promoting resident safety and independence. The infrasensor wristband directly supports this goal by offering continuous cardiac monitoring without increasing nursing workload.

Rather than replacing nursing care, the device enhances clinical vigilance by alerting healthcare professionals to early signs of cardiac distress. This proactive approach aligns with patient-centered care principles and provides residents and families with reassurance. Early detection reduces morbidity, supports timely interventions, and helps preserve residents’ quality of life during aging.

Table 1

Relevant Sources Summary Table

Synthesis of Literature with Themes from Five Sources in the Relevant Sources Table

Across the reviewed literature, wearable sensor technology consistently emerges as a promising tool for early cardiac event detection, particularly among older adults and high-risk populations. Studies emphasize prevention, affordability, and user-friendly design as critical strengths. Wrist placement is identified as optimal for continuous monitoring due to accessibility and compliance. While results are promising, researchers highlight the need for further validation to optimize data interpretation and clinical integration.

Evidence that Supports the Proposed Innovation

Regional data from West Tennessee Healthcare demonstrated that infrasensor wristbands could have detected 30% more heart attacks earlier when universally implemented (West Tennessee Healthcare, n.d.). Early detection reduced the severity of outcomes by more than half, particularly among adults aged 55 and older with comorbidities. Unlike traditional diagnostic tools such as EKGs and stress tests, which are costly and episodic, wearable sensors provide continuous monitoring and automated emergency alerts, making them ideal for assisted living environments.

Reflection on My Role as an Advanced Professional Nurse Innovator

As an advanced practice nurse innovator, my role involves driving change through leadership, advocacy, and evidence-based innovation. I actively engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and policy development to improve healthcare delivery (Kelley, 2023). Direct patient interaction provides insight into unmet needs, motivating the development of practical, patient-centered solutions.

High-quality care must be safe, effective, efficient, equitable, patient-centered, and timely. Innovations such as wearable infrasensors directly support these principles by improving safety through early detection, enhancing efficiency, reducing delays, and ensuring equitable access to preventive technology (Kelley, 2023).

Two Strategies Used by Nurse Innovators to Support an Innovative Culture in Healthcare

One essential strategy is divergent thinking, which encourages exploration of multiple solutions rather than reliance on traditional approaches (Cianelli et al., 2016). This mindset fosters creativity, proactive problem-solving, and resilience in the face of uncertainty. Risk-taking, even when outcomes are imperfect, contributes to organizational learning and innovation.

Another critical strategy is team building. Effective innovation depends on collaboration, communication, and shared goals. Nurse innovators support team development by mentoring staff, encouraging open dialogue, and creating psychologically safe environments where ideas can flourish. Activities that promote creativity and engagement further strengthen team dynamics and sustain an innovative culture (Cianelli et al., 2016).

References

Alotaibi, Y. K., & Federico, F. (2019). The impact of health information technology on patient safety. Saudi Medical Journal, 40(4), 305–310. https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2019.4.23961

ANA Center for Ethics and Human Rights. (2022). The ethical use of artificial intelligence in nursing practice. https://www.nursingworld.org

Cianelli, R., Freeman, R., Goldstein, J., & Wyatt, T. (2016). The innovation road map: A guide for nurse leaders. American Nurses Association.

Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Singh, R. P., & Suman, R. (2021). Telemedicine for healthcare. Sensors International, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100117

Kelley, T. (2023). Advancing the nursing profession through innovation. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.110704

Price, W. N., & Cohen, I. G. (2019). Privacy in the age of medical big data. Nature Medicine, 25(1), 37–43. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-018-0272-7

Sivasubramaniam, S., & Balamurugan, S. P. (2024). Early detection and prediction of heart attack using wearable devices. Multimedia Tools and Applications. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-024-19127-6

Tan, A., et al. (2016). Robotic surgery: Disruptive innovation or unfulfilled promise? Surgical Endoscopy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-016-4752-x

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. (2023). Wearable sensor systems to detect heart attack. https://emed.wisc.edu

West Tennessee Healthcare. (n.d.). https://www.wth.org

World Health Organization. (2021). Heart attack fact sheet. https://www.who.int

Western Governors University. (2021). Nursing programs conceptual model. https://wgu.edu