The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) organized the “Innovation in Nursing” Conference to display the latest nursing innovations, enhance the vital role of innovation in nursing care and keep abreast of global trends and evidence-based practices, within the framework of the UAE Innovation Month held at Sharjah Training and Development Center under the slogan "Innovate for Health".
The conference witnessed the announcement of the winners of the Salma Nursing Innovation Award for 2018, and the attendees were briefed on nursing projects for Salma Award winners in previous years, in addition to the nursing booth where initiatives to enhance the attractiveness of the nursing profession and nursing achievements were displayed.
In the context of enhancing the attractiveness of the nursing profession, MOHAP announced the expansion of the Salma Innovation Award to be the first award of its kind for nursing staff nationwide, believing in the importance of the role of nursing in the happiness of society and protection from diseases and contributing to their role in comprehensive coverage. All details of the award will be announced to other bodies and institutions in the country.
Nursing Innovation
Dr. Sumaya Al Baloushi, Director of the Department of Nursing stressed in the opening speech of the conference the importance and the elements of nursing innovation and nursing partnerships in establishing the culture of innovation. Dr. Sumaya pointed to the “National Initiative to Boost Attractiveness of Nursing Profession”, to attract suitable national cadres to the health needs of the community, thus contributing to the provision of health care that is appropriate to the country’s environment and culture and helping to implement the plans for localization of the profession, as part of the Ministry's strategy to provide comprehensive and integrated health care in innovative and sustainable ways ensuring the prevention of disease.
Innovative proposals
The nursing staff at Al Dhaid Hospital reviewed a number of nursing proposals and their applicability, such as wheelchair for ulcer patients, anesthesia cabinets’ sensor switch, private nursing organizer, and intelligent dialect for dialysis patients, and watched a video on nursing innovation and various activities of Dibba Hospital. Nurses at Al Qassimi Hospitals for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pediatrics displayed presentations on the importance of the noise detector in the Intensive Care Unit for preterm infants, the application of the educational phone to support and encourage breastfeeding, the children's educational cinema based on the age stages, and the importance of linking vital signs equipment and pregnancy planning with the electronic file of the patient.
VR technology for nursing education
At the same time, the electronic nursing game and the VR technology for nursing education were introduced, and the innovative life-room game design concept was used to simulate the challenges faced by nursing staff in working life, aimed at raising the level of professional skills and values, and promoting a spirit of cooperation and constructive communication and the sense of nursing care. A number of nursing scientific research were showcased to promote the improvement and development of evidence-based practices.