Title: Design thinking for a patient-centered innovation in the nursing industry: How hospitals can use the design thinking tool for processes, services and infrastructure around the patient

Abstract

The market-focused willingness for innovation ensures the success of the clinics. Hospitals need the ability to recognize customer needs, develop solutions and advertise accordingly. The current hospital structures imply only a little willingness for innovation in nursing care, while the demands are changing. The clinics need to adapt to the ever changing needs of patient as the average innovation development process is not efficient enough due to traditional project management. The transformation method “Design Thinking” offers a holistic identification of customer’s ideas and needs through a user-oriented and systematic approach to complex problems. Creative solutions are sought and tested in the form of a prototype. In addition, ongoing feedback is provided by the end-user in order to develop or improve user-oriented concepts. At the Health Forum, the basics of Design Thinking are being presented. Qualitative and quantitative research results are introduced in regards to the opportunities and risks of Design Thinking in nursing and in addition, the possible uses of Design Thinking in nursing are reported and the projects that have been accomplished are presented. In the RoMed clinics, various topics have already been established using Design Thinking like the successful implementation of attractive learning areas for trainees, the decrease of patient accidents, the integration of nursing assistants in every nursing department, the work-life-balance, an innovative application tracking system, improved patient care for cognitively impaired patients and optimized discharge management with a rehabilitation clinic. Helpful recommendations for a successful implementation of Design Thinking is given at the end of the presentation and an open discussion around is promoted.

Biography

Judith Hantl-Merget B.B. A., M.A.: Director of Nursing in the RoMed clinicsThe ideal case of an executive manager combines leadership and management. This principle is a daily reminder for my operative work as a member of the management and director of nursing. In this role, I intensively explore the culture of New Work and apply these elements to drive the cultural change at the RoMed clinics for the last four years. Especially helpful was my advanced training in Future and Digital Leadership at SGMI. With this background, I enabled frontline staff to independently solve a multitude of problems with the innovation framework Design Thinking.