Insights from the 2020 MEDITECH Nurse Forum
Healthcare Triangle
Jun 30, 2020
Focus on Managing Care in Era of COVID-19
The MEDITECH Nursing Forum consisted of three days of virtual sessions rather than an in-person forum due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was announced that at one time there were 799 people watching a virtual session, which is much higher than previous years with in-person forums. Just as the in-person session, each day consisted of a keynote speaker, discussion panels, education demonstrations and great information about new and upcoming MEDITECH innovations.
It was very stimulating to participate in an event focused on nursing and patient care. The inspirational speakers that repeatedly praised the work that all nurses do, whether direct patient care or technology related that touches hundreds of patients through the work of the electronic health record, was truly empowering.
The keynote speaker on the first day, Rich Bluni, presented not only an entertaining presentation, but also a truly motivating admiration to all nurses. During this particularly uncertain year, his words were precise and resonating. His perception of what is ‘normal’ for a nurse and the idea that no one shift for a nurse is normal was very insightful. His believes that a nurse’s fears are not for their own well-being or that something might happen to them, but that they will not be enough and they will not be perfect. He reminded us that when we are feeling a sense of loss or questioning why, we need to ask ourselves, “What is our big reason?” He prompted us to realize that everything we do is transformational, especially in technology, and we need to think of all the lives we impact even though we are not physically with our clients.
The keynote speaker on day two reflected on nurses as servant leaders. Kelly Frederickson spoke about how we all need a compass not a map in these uncertain times, because what was on the map yesterday will not be on the map today. The compass will help us navigate through the earthquakes and recognize the gifts. She detailed how to build this compass that will allow nurses to be the navigators for the new normal of today.
The last day’s keynote speaker, Kelly Corrigan, spoke of her fondness for and respect of nurses and their role positive jobs. She read from her book “Tell Me More: Stories about the 12 Hardest Things I’m Learning to Say,” which is a moving and meaningful take on the power of the right words at the right moment to change everything.
The agenda was abundant with educational opportunities related to MEDITECH innovation and their remarkable accomplishments assisting customers during COVID-19 to have the tools needed to provide safe and effective care during this unique, unknown time.
The panel discussions were well presented and very informative. Panelists discussed the Expanse Patient Care features with early adopters beginning their journey in the very near future. The panelists had great stories to tell about their successes and challenges with implementing what was needed in their organizations during this COVID-19 pandemic.
The demonstrations focused on the Expanse Patient Care for Inpatient, ED and Surgery. It is truly a win having nursing and providers using the web platform and same functionality. The most exciting improvements to patient care include the Point of Care solution, Handoff and the Widget functionality.
Overall, the virtual event was informative and clearly dedicated to topics most important to healthcare clinicians and managing care in our current pandemic world. MEDITECH communicated their vision and priorities and appreciated the customer’s feedback using poll questions about what customers are looking for. Healthcare has changed quickly over the last few months, and what it will look like in the future is anyone’s guess, but we finished the virtual three-day MEDITECH sessions feeling a refreshed optimism for the innovation of healthcare in the future.