In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, Houston Methodist has consistently proved themselves to be a pioneer in introducing new technologies and innovative practices to overcome challenges faced by nurses. Caroline Mascarenhas, Vice President and Chief Nurse Officer at Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital, set to open in early 2025 is one of Houston Methodists leaders that has collaborated with others to lead these endeavors.
Houston Methodist: Transforming Patient Care Through Innovative Practices
I am proud to be a nurse at Houston Methodist because of the wonderful culture, safety, and innovation that our hospital has and promotes.
The healthcare industry is not without its challenges, as Mascarenhas candidly acknowledges. Nursing shortages due to staff burnout, and increasing administrative burdens have become pressing issues, exacerbated by the complexities of the pandemic. The demand for nurses has never been greater, yet additional factors such as financial constraints and shifting regulatory requirements continue to strain healthcare systems nationwide.
In response to these challenges, Houston Methodist has done what they always do best, embrace innovation, now introducing the concept of virtual nursing. This transformative approach redefines the traditional nurse-patient interaction by leveraging remote capabilities for administrative tasks. From admission processes to discharge planning and patient monitoring, virtual nursing streamlines workflows, significantly reducing the time required for these administrative tasks.
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Virtual Nursing: Revolutionizing Patient Care
With Houston Methodist owning a rich history of breakthroughs, they are continuing this tradition of introducing cutting-edge technologies. From renowned heart surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey’s revolutionary techniques in cardiovascular surgery to the Center for Innovation’s collaborative efforts, the institution has consistently pushed the boundaries of medical advancement.
Working closely with stakeholders, including the academic world and research partners, is one of the best ways for Houston Methodist to bridge all gaps and make sure they’re in sync with moving healthcare forward. From ambient intelligence technology for tracking equipment to AI-driven virtual ICU algorithms, the institution is committed to creating a smooth patient journey while empowering clinicians.
Enhancing Healthcare with New Technologies
Houston Methodist Cypress is poised to shake up healthcare once again with its vision of the Smart Hospital of the future. Building upon the technological advancements already in use across sister hospitals, the new Cypress location is paving the way for a digitally engaged patient experience, both inpatient and outpatient.
Central to this vision are the innovative “smart patient rooms,” meticulously designed to feature centralized screens for entertainment, education, and communication boards, fostering a sense of connectivity for every patient. By combining the physical and digital elements of healthcare into every aspect of patient care, this “Smart Hospital” in Cypress is definitely setting a new bar for the industry.
Recognizing the importance of getting staff fully onboard with these advancements, their latest hospital is proactively developing playbooks for onboarding all their frontline and administrative workers. These resources will facilitate the integration of new technologies into workflows, ensuring that both patients and staff can fully harness the benefits of the Smart Hospital concept when introduced early next year.
The Smart Hospital of the Future: Houston Methodist Cypress
By StoryStudio on April 18, 2024
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Houston Methodist innovates by utilizing technology.
Sponsored by Houston Methodist
- Cindy Lopez, RN at Houston Methodist
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I am proud to be a nurse at Houston Methodist because of the wonderful culture, safety, and innovation that our hospital has and promotes.
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Sponsored by Houston Methodist
“We will continue living in this hybrid world,” Mascarenhas says. “It’s going to be on us for how we prepare the workforce. There is immense potential for what they can do, and we are just grazing the surface right now.”
As Mascarenhas explains, while it takes a bedside nurse 45 minutes to an hour to complete admission and discharge processes, a virtual nurse can accomplish the same tasks in just 12 to 15 minutes. This not only enhances efficiency but also allows bedside nurses to focus more on direct patient care, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Brittany Pickney is a full-time Charge Nurse on the Oncology Unit at Houston Methodist Hospital main campus. One of the biggest problems she’s witnessed is patients coming into healthcare settings “sicker” than usual and requiring more intense care. Couple this with staff shortages, and nurses have no choice but to take on a heavier workload. With the virtual nursing solution already underway on her unit, Pickney couldn’t be more positive.
“It is great!” she says. “It is such a timesaver for the nurses that are physically on the floor, as they can continue to carry out nursing duties for their other patients while the more time-consuming paperwork portions are taken care of. Also, for the patient, I think it is helpful because they have a nurse there on the screen who can take the time necessary to review those important items with the patient. It's a win-win!”
With over 27 years of experience within the Houston Methodist Hospital System, Mascarenhas began her career as a nurse herself, allowing her to bring a wealth of knowledge to her current role that helps shape the clinical services that cater to the needs of the Cypress community.
Caroline Mascarenhas
Vice President and Chief Nurse Officer at Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital
Cindy Lopez is an RN IV in the inpatient oncology and cell and gene therapy units where she works with patients and staff to educate them on chemotherapy, disease processes, and new therapies. Her tenure at Houston Methodist is now approaching 5 years, and she can attest to how they are at the forefront of innovative new practices.
For example, one notable innovation recently is implementing wearable technology, such as Biobuttons, which continuously monitors patients’ skin temperature, respirations, and heart rate in real-time, increasing patient comfort while providing valuable insights. “This allows virtual ICU nurses and nurse practitioners to keep a close eye on patients and catch clinical deterioration faster,” Lopez says.
Another breakthrough in technology has been pump integration. “Nurses can scan the patient’s armband, scan an intravenous medication, scan the IV pump and it will program the pump according to the medication orders,” Lopez adds. “This helps to keep patients safe and save the nurse time.”
Speaking with multiple nurses at Houston Methodist, it’s immediately apparent what a sense of pride there is in being part of the organization, especially regarding the level of quality care patients are given.
“I have been a nurse for a little over 12 years now, and by far being a nurse at Houston Methodist has been my best experience,” Brittney Pickney says. “Leaders are always asking for input on things that would help make our day-to-day duties more seamless and what things we think would benefit our patients.”
As a medical institution, the ICARE values they promote – consisting of integrity, compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence – drive everything they do.
“Having been at other hospitals, I can say Houston Methodist is an amazing place to work, grow, and learn as a nurse,” Cindy Lopez adds. “Houston Methodist cares for nurses and strives to provide safe environments for both patients and staff while leading medicine. I am proud to nurse at Houston Methodist because of the wonderful culture, safety, and innovation that our hospital has and promotes.”
Why Nurses Love Houston Methodist
The ongoing story of Houston Methodist is a testament to their forward-thinking approach, one that continues to lead the way in transforming patient care and shaping the future of healthcare delivery.
“In my 27 years, I know how nursing has transformed from what I did at the bedside to where we are today,” says Caroline Mascarenhas, VP and CNO. “30 years from now, it’s going to look completely different too. We cannot negate the fact that however much of technology or innovation we incorporate, we are in the business of healthcare, which is touching people’s lives.”
Some healthcare organizations merely practice medicine, yet one like Houston Methodist is leading it. For more information or to begin experiencing the difference for yourself, visit www.houstonmethodist.org.
Charting the Course for the Future
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With over 27 years of experience within the Houston Methodist Hospital System, Mascarenhas began her career as a nurse herself, allowing her to bring a wealth of knowledge to her current role that helps shape the clinical services that cater to the needs of the Cypress community.
“We will continue living in this hybrid world,” Mascarenhas says. “It’s going to be on us for how we prepare the workforce. There is immense potential for what they can do, and we are just grazing the surface right now.”
As Mascarenhas explains, while it takes a bedside nurse 45 minutes to an hour to complete admission and discharge processes, a virtual nurse can accomplish the same tasks in just 12 to 15 minutes. This not only enhances efficiency but also allows bedside nurses to focus more on direct patient care, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Brittany Pickney is a full-time Charge Nurse on the Oncology Unit at Houston Methodist Hospital main campus. One of the biggest problems she’s witnessed is patients coming into healthcare settings “sicker” than usual and requiring more intense care. Couple this with staff shortages, and nurses have no choice but to take on a heavier workload. With the virtual nursing solution already underway on her unit, Pickney couldn’t be more positive.
“It is great!” she says. “It is such a timesaver for the nurses that are physically on the floor, as they can continue to carry out nursing duties for their other patients while the more time-consuming paperwork portions are taken care of. Also, for the patient, I think it is helpful because they have a nurse there on the screen who can take the time necessary to review those important items with the patient. It's a win-win!”
Speaking with multiple nurses at Houston Methodist, it’s immediately apparent what a sense of pride there is in being part of the organization, especially regarding the level of quality care patients are given.
“I have been a nurse for a little over 12 years now, and by far being a nurse at Houston Methodist has been my best experience,” Brittney Pickney says. “Leaders are always asking for input on things that would help make our day-to-day duties more seamless and what things we think would benefit our patients.”
As a medical institution, the ICARE values they promote – consisting of integrity, compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence – drive everything they do.
“Having been at other hospitals, I can say Houston Methodist is an amazing place to work, grow, and learn as a nurse,” Cindy Lopez adds. “Houston Methodist cares for nurses and strives to provide safe environments for both patients and staff while leading medicine. I am proud to nurse at Houston Methodist because of the wonderful culture, safety, and innovation that our hospital has and promotes.”
Why Nurses Love Houston Methodist
The ongoing story of Houston Methodist is a testament to their forward-thinking approach, one that continues to lead the way in transforming patient care and shaping the future of healthcare delivery.
“In my 27 years, I know how nursing has transformed from what I did at the bedside to where we are today,” says Caroline Mascarenhas, VP and CNO. “30 years from now, it’s going to look completely different too. We cannot negate the fact that however much of technology or innovation we incorporate, we are in the business of healthcare, which is touching people’s lives.”
Some healthcare organizations merely practice medicine, yet one like Houston Methodist is leading it. For more information or to begin experiencing the difference for yourself, visit www.houstonmethodist.org.
Charting the Course for the Future
Cindy Lopez is an RN IV in the inpatient oncology and cell and gene therapy units where she works with patients and staff to educate them on chemotherapy, disease processes, and new therapies. Her tenure at Houston Methodist is now approaching 5 years, and she can attest to how they are at the forefront of innovative new practices.
For example, one notable innovation recently is implementing wearable technology, such as Biobuttons, which continuously monitors patients’ skin temperature, respirations, and heart rate in real-time, increasing patient comfort while providing valuable insights. “This allows virtual ICU nurses and nurse practitioners to keep a close eye on patients and catch clinical deterioration faster,” Lopez says.
Another breakthrough in technology has been pump integration. “Nurses can scan the patient’s armband, scan an intravenous medication, scan the IV pump and it will program the pump according to the medication orders,” Lopez adds. “This helps to keep patients safe and save the nurse time.”
With Houston Methodist owning a rich history of breakthroughs, they are continuing this tradition of introducing cutting-edge technologies. From renowned heart surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey’s revolutionary techniques in cardiovascular surgery to the Center for Innovation’s collaborative efforts, the institution has consistently pushed the boundaries of medical advancement.
Working closely with stakeholders, including the academic world and research partners, is one of the best ways for Houston Methodist to bridge all gaps and make sure they’re in sync with moving healthcare forward. From ambient intelligence technology for tracking equipment to AI-driven virtual ICU algorithms, the institution is committed to creating a smooth patient journey while empowering clinicians.