Innovation Inventory Heatmap for Nurse-led Technology Prioritization

The increasing complexity of health care technology adoption demands structured evaluation tools that reflect organizational priorities and clinical realities. In response, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Nursing Innovation Advisory Workgroup (NIAWG) developed the Innovation Inventory Heatmap, which informs nurse leaders of the latest trends and serves as a basis for the Innovation Scoring and Impact Guide for Healthcare Technologies (INSIGHT) calculator. This article provides the first formal, peer-reviewed description of the Innovation Inventory Heatmap, documenting its development, survey validation, and expert panel review using the content validity index. Using standardized metrics and real-world insights, the heatmap enables nurse leaders to assess emerging technologies across domains, such as feasibility, operational impact, and user benefit. By integrating implementation science and nursing informatics, this work advances a replicable, evidence-based approach to technology prioritization that promotes nurse-led innovation governance and supports digital transformation.