Lauren Barber MACN was announced as the 2023 winner of the Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers in a special award ceremony at the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) National Nursing Forum in Adelaide.
Lauren, a Clinical Nurse Specialist, received the prestigious award in recognition of her work creating a revolutionary device that helps reduce the fear, stress, pain and anxiety associated with needles.
In an exclusive interview with ACN, Lauren shares more about the driving force behind the creation of NeedleCalm and how the award-winning innovation has revolutionised medical care.
What inspired you to become a nurse?
Commonly I hear that people choose to become a nurse after becoming unwell themselves or caring for a close family member. Some common inspirations include a desire to help others, a personal experience with health care, a passion for science and medicine, or a natural affinity for caring for people. Nursing offers a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives and contribute to the wellbeing of communities. Personally, I think there were many varying factors that influenced this decision but ultimately, I never imagined myself in any other career.
What was the catalyst for the creation of NeedleCalm?
The catalyst for the creation of NeedleCalm was the recognition of the significant emotional and
psychological impact these procedures can have on patients, leading to healthcare avoidance and decreased patient satisfaction. Unfortunately I had to experience these things first-hand to understand the true gravity of a poor needle procedure.
How does NeedleCalm help improve patient care?
NeedleCalm improves patient care in several ways:
1. Reducing anxiety and fear
One of the main benefits of NeedleCalm is its ability to reduce anxiety and fear associated with needle procedures. By providing a captivating distraction through visual and audio techniques, NeedleCalm helps divert the patient’s attention away from the needle. This distraction helps patients feel more relaxed and less anxious during the procedure, leading to a more positive overall experience.
2. Enhancing patient comfort
The use of NeedleCalm can significantly enhance patient comfort during needle procedures. Patients often experience discomfort due to fear or anticipation of pain associated with needles. By creating a calming and engaging environment, NeedleCalm helps patients focus on something other than the sensation of the needle, helping them feel more comfortable and at ease during the procedure.
3. Increasing patient compliance
Fear and anxiety related to needles can sometimes cause patients to avoid necessary medical procedures, leading to delayed or incomplete treatments. NeedleCalm helps address this issue by making needle procedures less distressing for patients. By reducing fear and anxiety, NeedleCalm can increase patient compliance and willingness to undergo necessary medical interventions, ensuring timely and appropriate care.
4. Improving procedure success rates
When patients are anxious or fearful during needle procedures, it can lead to involuntary movements or reactions that may interfere with the success of the procedure. By effectively managing anxiety and facilitating a calm environment, NeedleCalm can help minimise such movements and distractions, thus improving the success rates of needle procedures.
5. Boosting patient satisfaction
NeedleCalm has the potential to greatly enhance patient satisfaction with healthcare services. By providing a more positive and comfortable experience, patients are more likely to feel satisfied with their overall care. This can contribute to better patient-provider relationships, increased trust, and improved patient outcomes. Overall, by addressing the emotional and psychological aspects of needle procedures, NeedleCalm contributes to improving patient care, increasing patient comfort, and promoting better treatment outcomes.
What does being recognised as a Trailblazer mean to you?
It represents validation for the hard work, creativity, and dedication put into creating a solution that addresses a significant challenge in health care. Being recognised as a Trailblazer also brings visibility to the importance of patient-centered innovation and reinforces the commitment to continuously pushing boundaries to improve patient outcomes.
What advice would you give to other aspiring nurse entrepreneurs?
- Identify a problem in health care that you are passionate about solving. Understanding the needs of patients, healthcare providers, and the industry as a whole will help you develop innovative solutions.
- Surround yourself with a diverse team of experts who can contribute different perspectives and skills to your venture.
- Seek out mentorship and support from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals in the healthcare and business sectors.
- Be persistent and resilient; entrepreneurship is a challenging journey with highs and lows, but perseverance can lead to great success.
- Continuously adapt and iterate your ideas based on feedback and market insights.
- Embrace collaboration and partnerships with healthcare organisations, stakeholders, and other entrepreneurs to maximise the impact of your solutions.
Visit the Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers to learn more about the exceptional nurse leaders who have been recognised over the years. You can also express your interest to be notified as soon as nominations for the next round open.
