Transforming Patient Care Through Technology

As we mark the last day of National Nurses Week in the U.S., Zebra’s Chief Nursing Information Officer and Healthcare Industry Principal, Kassaundra McKnight-Young offers an inspiring glimpse into the evolving role of technology in healthcare. Transitioning from over 31 years on the frontline, she remains dedicated to enhancing patient care by integrating innovative solutions that empower clinicians. Kassaundra passionately discusses her mission to alleviate the burden on nurses, allowing them to focus more on patient care. She also shares her insights on how healthcare professionals can cultivate skills that drive better outcomes and satisfaction. In addition, Kassaundra provides strategic advice on how to leverage technology effectively, emphasizing the importance of choosing solutions that truly enhance clinical practices and align with broader organizational goals.

Q: You’ve been a part of Zebra Nation for a year now after serving on the frontline of healthcare for many years. What has been the biggest transition for you over the past year and how have you enjoyed your time at Zebra?

A: Over the past 31+ years on the frontline of healthcare — and the last 16 as a dedicated nurse — my focus has remained steady: caring for patients and championing clinicians through thoughtful technology adoption. While my airline miles and hotel points have certainly increased, the core of my mission hasn’t changed.

In my current role at Zebra, I’ve been able to scale that impact, supporting both patients and clinicians on a broader level. For over a decade, I’ve been at the forefront of integrating technology to empower those who deliver care, and now, I’m doing that work with even greater reach. Weekly travel has become part of the rhythm — collaborating with partners, clients, and colleagues across the country.

What’s changed is the how—with more space to grow, more opportunity to lead, and a wider net of influence. The purpose? That remains as clear as ever.

Q: Your passion is aligned to your objective to streamline nursing tool belts and address the noise impacting nursing care and emotional well-being, with the aim of supporting clinicians at the bedside. Why is this important to you?

A: At my core, I am — and will always be — a nurse first. No matter how exciting or innovative my work as an informaticist becomes, that truth grounds everything I do. I still occasionally step back into the role of a floor nurse, not only to stay connected but to feel the real-time challenges our clinicians face at the bedside. I want every nurse to know: they matter. Their voices, their experiences, and their well-being matter.

Although I stepped away from full-time bedside care nearly 12 years ago, my passion for nurses and the patients they serve has never wavered. In fact, it’s only deepened. This work — this mission — is my calling. Ironically, I never set out to be a nurse. But today, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. If I could go back, I’d choose nursing as my first degree, not Biology. But I digress.

Nurses want to care for patients. That’s who we are. The burnout we’re facing isn’t from patient care itself — it’s from the noise that surrounds it. We’re overwhelmed not by the “why,” but by the “how.” I recently read a study showing nurses spend up to 41% of their time documenting. That’s staggering. That leaves little time not only for thorough patient care but for even the most basic personal needs — eating, resting, taking a breath.

Clinicians are drowning in inefficiencies: hunting for essential equipment, troubleshooting tech, juggling too many devices, being messengers between systems and providers, and using tools that were never designed to support the reality of patient care. Sometimes, it feels like we need a backpack instead of a tool belt just to do our jobs. And when the technology we rely on adds to the burden instead of lifting it, everyone suffers — patients and clinicians alike.

This is why I do what I do. My purpose is clear: to transform the experience at the bedside, to remove the noise, and to let nurses get back to what they do best — caring for people. That’s the real goal. That’s the change I’m here to make.

Q: Your expertise focuses on enhancing patient outcomes, increasing satisfaction for both patients and clinicians, and achieving organizational financial and strategic objectives. How can other clinicians develop these skills?

A: Thinking outside the box isn’t just a skill I have — it’s how I approach every challenge. In a world of rapidly advancing technologies, innovation starts with imagining the ideal solution first, without immediately questioning if it’s possible. Once that vision is clear, the real work begins adjusting it to meet reality.

But to do this kind of work — work that changes lives — you need more than just strategy. You need passion. There must be something deep within you that’s driven to improve the status quo in healthcare.

Yes, we often hear the phrase, “never stop learning”— and I wholeheartedly agree. But I’d add this: never stop caring. Never stop being present in healthcare. Because while we may not be able to solve every issue, we can tackle one at a time — and when we do, we often create a ripple effect of improvement.

Another essential ingredient? Experience. To be truly effective, you have to understand the perspectives of everyone you aim to support. Be a patient. Be a nurse. Be a physician, a transporter, an ancillary team member. Maybe not literally, but you can walk in their shoes — through shadowing, interviews, or time spent observing their work. This kind of empathy fuels insight, and that insight shapes better, more meaningful solutions.

Of course, continued learning — through degrees, certifications, conferences, and seminars — is important. But pairing knowledge with heart and firsthand perspective? That’s where real impact begins.

Q: What is your advice to others in the healthcare industry in how to best leverage technology to help ensure they are providing the best patient care?

A: The technology you choose must make both sense — and cents. Every solution should be evaluated not just for its innovation, but for its true impact. You have to ask the right questions:

• What value does this technology deliver?
• Does it improve measurable outcomes like HCAHPS scores, fall rates, or hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs)?
• What about the intangible benefits — does it work in real-world clinical settings?
• What’s the return on investment financially — and more importantly, what’s the return on outcomes for patients and clinicians?

It’s not just about adding another tool — it’s about strategic integration. Can this solution replace or consolidate existing technologies? Will it reduce complexity and create efficiencies? And how well does it align with the organization’s roadmap for growth and expansion?

Technology must address immediate pain points and be scalable to support future challenges and strategic goals. The total cost of ownership is more than a price tag — it includes direct costs, but also the long-term savings and value realized from implementation.

In short, smart technology isn’t just an expense — it’s an investment in better care, better outcomes, and a more sustainable future.