NurseTech Innovation Challenge

Judges will look for organisations that:

• Have involved nurses from the development stage
• Have worked closely with nurses in the deployment stage
• Have provided excellent training and manuals to aid implementation
• Have worked closely with nurses to improve product to ideal standard

Examples of technology innovation that our judges will look for include: 

• Improves patient experience and safety
• Improves processes and free up nurses’ time
• Unlocks additional capacity and improves efficiency
• Improves staff or student experience of training
• Has been piloted in live working environments  
• Can be adopted by other teams, departments or organisations

Judges will be looking for innovations that have been implemented in the last 12 months.

Judging process:

1. Online entries: Please submit your entry via our website by 6 September 2024. In no more than 1,000 words, explain how your idea unlocks one (or more) of the following: improves efficiency, improves the patient experience, uses existing or emerging technologies to improve care, frees up staff time or improves learning experience. The application should include references that support your description of the problem you wish to solve, why you chose this particular innovation design. Include diagrams where applicable (diagrams are not included in the word count).
   
   The lead entrant should be from a technology provider nominated by a registered nurse or midwife and be available and prepared to present their ideas face to face on the event day, 5 November 2024, in London, if successfully shortlisted.
   
   
2. Shortlisting: Entries will be judged from online discussion between the judges and a score between 1-10 for meeting the following criteria:
   
   
• Collaborative development
• Integration with clinical workflows
• User-centric design
• Impact on clinical outcomes
• Scalability and flexibility
• Project leadership and management

• Collaborative development: Evaluates the extent of collaboration between the technology developers and clinical staff, particularly nurses, emphasising the importance of mutual understanding and shared goals. How well do the technology developers and clinical staff work together? Is there evidence of ongoing dialogue and feedback?
• Integration with clinical workflows: Assesses how the technology integrates with existing clinical workflows. The judges will evaluate how well the problem of integration is articulated, including the objectives, scope, constraints, and desired outcomes. How effectively does the technology mesh with daily clinical activities? Does it enhance or disrupt normal operations?
• User-centric design: Focuses on the uniqueness, creativity, and user-friendliness of the design. The technology should address specific needs of nurses and other clinical staff. How does the design improve on existing solutions? Is the interface intuitive and easy to use?
• Impact on clinical outcomes: Measure the tangible benefits the technology brings to nurses, patients, and the broader healthcare ecosystem. This includes evaluating its impact on patient care, staff satisfaction, and overall healthcare delivery. What measurable improvements has the technology made in patient care or staff efficiency?
• Scalability and Flexibility: Evaluates the technology’s adaptability across different healthcare environments (eg hospitals, clinics, home care). This includes its scalability and flexibility to meet diverse needs. Can the technology be easily implemented in different settings? How adaptable is it to varying scales of operations?
• Project Leadership and Management: Assesses the leadership demonstrated by the team in driving the project. This includes project management skills, strategic planning, and the ability to make informed decisions.

Judges will be looking at how effective the leadership was in overcoming challenges. Was there a clear vision driving the project?

• Live pitches: Three finalists from each category will be chosen to make our shortlist and invited to present your idea as part of the main Nursing Times Digital Nursing programme. The shortlist should create an 8-10-minute presentation that will be followed by 10 minutes of questions from the judges. Presentations will be in front of the event audience.
• Winners: The winners will be announced at the end of the event and presented with an award.

Examples of technology innovation that our judges will look for include: 

• Improves patient experienceand safety
• Improves processes and free up nurses’ time
• Unlocks additional capacity and improves efficiency
• Improves staff or student experience of training
• Can be piloted for proof of concept   
• Can be adopted by other teams, departments or organisations

Judges will be looking for innovations that are at an early stage and seeking a test bed to further prove the concept.

Judging process:

1. Online entries: Please submit your entry via our website by 6 September 2024. In no more than 1,000 words, explain how your idea unlocks one (or more) of the following: improves efficiency, improves patient experience, uses existing or emerging technologies to improve care, frees up staff time or improves learning experience.

2. The application should include references that support your description of the problem you wish to solve, why you chose this particular innovation design. Include diagrams where applicable (diagrams are not included in the word count).

3. The lead entrant should be a registered nurse or midwife and be available and prepared to present their ideas face to face on the event day, 5 November 2024, in London, if successfully shortlisted.

Shortlisting: Entries will be judged using online discussion between the judges and a score between 1-10 for meeting the following criteria:

• Clarity of the problem to be solved
• The innovation and its design
• Value of the solution to stakeholders
• Adaptability of the solution for different settings
• Leadership of the project
• Collaboration within and between teams/disciplines
  
  
• Clarity of the problem to be solved: Focuses on how well the problem statement or challenge is defined and communicated. Helps to evaluate the extent to which participants understand the problem they need to address, including the objectives, scope, constraints, and desired outcomes.
  
  
• The innovation and its design: Assesses the uniqueness, creativity, and effectiveness of the technological innovation proposed by participants, including design, functionality and potential impact of the solution in addressing the identified problem in nursing practice.
  
  
• Value of the solution to stakeholders: Measures the value and benefits that the proposed solution brings to various stakeholders, such as nurses, patients, healthcare organisations, and the broader healthcare community. It evaluates the potential positive impact and advantages of the innovation from a stakeholder perspective.
  
  
• Adaptability of the solution for different settings: Evaluates the scalability and adaptability of the proposed solution across different healthcare settings. Assesses whether the innovation can be implemented and effectively utilized in diverse environments, such as hospitals, clinics, care homes, or community.
  
  
• Leadership of the project: Demonstrates leadership qualities and capabilities of the participants in driving the technological innovation project. It considers aspects such as project management, strategic planning, decision-making, and the ability to inspire and motivate team members.
  
  
• Collaboration within and between teams/disciplines: Focuses on the degree of collaboration and teamwork demonstrated by participants. It evaluates how effectively interdisciplinary teams have worked together to develop the technological innovation, emphasising the importance of cooperation, communication, and coordination among team members

 Judges will be looking for innovative thinking, even where developments are simple changes, that raises the bar of best practice and is evidenced by data, testimonials or patient feedback.

• Live pitches: Three finalists from each category will be chosen to make our shortlist and invited to present your idea as part of the main Nursing Times Digital Nursing programme. The shortlist should create an 8-10-minute presentation that will be followed by 10 minutes of questions from the judges. Presentations will be in front of the event audience.
• Winners: The winners will be announced at the end of the event and presented with an award.
  

Examples of technology innovation that our judges will look for include: 

• Improves patient experience and safety
• Improves processes and free up nurses’ time
• Unlocks additional capacity and improves efficiency
• Improves staff or student experience of training
• Has been piloted in live working environments  
• Can be adopted by other teams, departments or organisations

Judges will be looking for innovations that have been tested or are at an early implementation stage, with an evidence base to show proof of concept.

Judging process:

1. Online entries: Please submit your entry via our website by 6 September 2024.  In no more than 1,000 words, explain how your idea unlocks one (or more) of the following: improves efficiency, improves patient experience, uses existing or emerging technologies to improve care, frees up staff time or improves learning experience.
2. The application should include references that support your description of the problem you wish to solve, why you chose this particular innovation design. Include diagrams where applicable (diagrams are not included in the word count).
3. The lead entrant should be a registered nurse or midwife and be available and prepared to present their ideas face to face on the event day, 5 November 2024, in London, if successfully shortlisted. 

Shortlisting: Entries will be judged using online discussion between the judges and a score between 1-10 for meeting the following criteria: 

• Clarity of the problem to be solved
• The innovationand its design
• Value of the solution to stakeholders
• Adaptabilityof the solution for different settings
• Leadership of the project 
• Collaboration within and between teams/disciplines 

• Clarity of the problem to be solved: Focuses on how well the problem statement or challenge is defined and communicated. Helps to evaluate the extent to which participants understand the problem they need to address, including the objectives, scope, constraints, and desired outcomes.
• The innovation and its design: Assesses the uniqueness, creativity, and effectiveness of the technological innovation proposed by participants, including design, functionality and potential impact of the solution in addressing the identified problem in nursing practice.

• Value of the solution to stakeholders: Measures the value and benefits that the proposed solution brings to various stakeholders, such as nurses, patients, healthcare organisations, and the broader healthcare community. It evaluates the potential positive impact and advantages of the innovation from a stakeholder perspective.

• Adaptability of the solution for different settings: Evaluates the scalability and adaptability of the proposed solution across different healthcare settings. Assesses whether the innovation can be implemented and effectively utilized in diverse environments, such as hospitals, clinics, care homes, or community.

• Leadership of the project: Demonstrates leadership qualities and capabilities of the participants in driving the technological innovation project. It considers aspects such as project management, strategic planning, decision-making, and the ability to inspire and motivate team members.

• Collaboration within and between teams/disciplines: Focuses on the degree of collaboration and teamwork demonstrated by participants. It evaluates how effectively interdisciplinary teams have worked together to develop the technological innovation, emphasising the importance of cooperation, communication, and coordination among team members.

Judges will be looking for innovative thinking, even where developments are simple changes, that raises the bar of best practice and is evidenced by data, testimonials or patient feedback. 

• Live pitches: Three finalists from each category will be chosen to make our shortlist and invited to present your idea as part of the main Nursing Times Digital Nursing programme. The shortlist should create an 8-10-minute presentation that will be followed by 10 minutes of questions from the judges. Presentations will be in front of the event audience.
  
  
• Winners: The winners will be announced at the end of the event and presented with an award.