ABSTRACT
The purpose of this article is to discuss how nurse leaders influenced facility design decisions, quickly evaluated the outcomes, and rapidly adapted the environment based on their own observations, assessments, changing regulatory requirements, and the needs of patients, nurses, and the caring workforce. Nurses must validate their clinical voice in the future design of healthcare environments based on the adaptations discovered and instituted during COVID-19. Many lessons were learned and physical adaptations made during the pandemic. While the pandemic spotlighted the emotional and physical stress and strain on nurses, it is important to consider all adaptations made in the physical environment to improve care delivery.
ABSTRACT
Driven by an urgent need to improve the safety and quality of care provided in our increasingly complex health care system, health information technology has taken a central role in the health care system. The technology used at the point of care undoubtedly changes the process of nurse and patient interactions. These technologies have the potential to improve patient care while helping clinicians harness the explosive knowledge growth accelerating us into the 21st century. However, both clinicians and patients experience frustration and negativity associated with our increased dependence on technology. How has our technology-rich environment influenced the caring behaviors identified as the core of nursing practice? This article will explore these issues, examine and discuss solutions offered in the scientific literature, and make suggestions for future research.
