The Global Effect of Nursing Technology Essay

The goal of this literature review is to increase our knowledge about technology use in practice and to identify where there is need for improvement. Information technology seems to be a widely discussed topic these days and most nurses have no clear idea how it can transform the way we do things on an every day basis. We will also look at the impact technology has on nursing, patients, and colleagues. We will then focus on a specific nursing setting, in this case the emergency room. This literature review is organized to grow on each independent section so that you, the reader, can form your own opinion, but take with you the universal understanding of how information technology will lead us down a new and exciting career  The Global Effect of Nursing Technology Essay

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While myriad forces are changing the face of contemporary healthcare, one could argue that nothing will change the way nursing is practiced more than current advances in technology. Technology is changing the world at warp speed and nowhere is this more evident than in healthcare settings. This article identifies seven emerging technologies that will change the practice of nursing; three skill sets nurses will need to develop to acquire, use, and integrate these emerging technologies; and four challenges nurse leaders will face in integrating this new technology.

Keywords: Change, future, technology, genetics, genomics, Human Genome, 3-D printing, robotics, nanomedicine, nanotechnology, biomechatronics.

There are many emergThe Global Effect of Nursing Technology Essay ing technologies that will change the practice of nursing in the coming decade. Seven are discussed here; genetics and genomics; less invasive and more accurate tools for diagnosis and treatment; 3-D printing; robotics; biometrics; electronic health records; and computerized physician/provider order entry and clinical decision support. Some examples of this are the following ones:

Biometrics: Electronic capture and analysis of biological characteristics—e.g., fingerprints, facial structure or iris—acting as a security alternative to passwords. The healthcare environment will also continue to be rapidly transformed by new technology as a result of the need to provide confidentiality and security of patient data, i.e., to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) calls for a tiered approach to data access in which staff members have access to only the information that they need to know to perform their jobs. To that end, developers of new technology must assure that access is both targeted and appropriate. Biometrics, or the science of identifying people through physical characteristics such as fingerprints, handprints, retinal scans, palm vein prints, voice recognition, facial structure, and dynamic signatures, is often suggested as a solution to the information access problem. Experts suggest that biometric signatures will become common place in most healthcare organizations since they will provide the needed security for medical records. Fingerprint biometrics is still the most common type of biometrics in healthcare, primarily because of its ease of use, small size, and affordable price. Detection of facial geometry through facial landmarks such as approach angles; eyebrow and mouth contours; skin texture analysis; and hairstyles, however, is also beginning to make inroads into healthcare as a biometric measure. Less invasive and more accurate tools for diagnostics and treatment will also change nursing practice in the future. For example, heart disease is likely to be diagnosed by a new blood test that eliminates the need for risky diagnostic angiograms. A new 23-gene blood test checks for certain blood proteins linked to heart disease. In a recent trial, the blood test was 85% accurate in detecting potentially harmful blockages among patients.
Magnets are also increasingly likely to be used as a treatment for major depression. Cleared by the FDA in 2008, small electromagnets are now placed on the scalp behind the left forehead as a therapeutic intervention for depression. These magnets deliver a tiny electric current to the part of the brain linked to depression. It seems to work, although the mechanism for action is not fully understood. In fact, a large study found these magnets were three times more effective than a placebo and most importantly, they had no serious side effects.The Global Effect of Nursing Technology Essay
Scanning technology is predicted to improve to the point that images of soft and hard tissues in the body will be so clear that exploratory surgery and invasive procedures will virtually be eliminated within a few…

According to Dictionary.com, technology is defined as the “branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment…” (Technology). Examples of technology include, computers, iPads, iPhones, and iPods and others. These advancements in technology are being presented as a way to make our lives easier. The Nurses’ main niche is to provide care and emotional support to the patients. This care and support from the Nurses will improve the feelings of patient’s homesickness. Most Nurses are very passionate in using the technology for it provides them conciseness and less work. Since everyone is experiencing the so – called recession in society nowadays, it does …show more content…
The use of electronic medication administration with bar coding made charting patients efficient because it lessens the medication errors (Getz 1). With this process, Nurses should and must always double check the prescription given by the physician in order for them not to make mistake because sometimes this mistake can lead to their sickness or death. To support the argument, here is how bar – coding works: from the Nurses laptop, he/she is bonded with a hand held scanner that contains wireless. From this, the scanner will confirm the “five rights” of medication administration – patient, route, dose, time and medication (Turisco and Rhoads 17). Once the scanning process is through, the computer system will transport all the information about the patient to the facility and from there, they will give the patient his/her medications and other necessities. According to Turisco, a research principal and Rhoads, senior research analyst, 23% of hospitals have already supported the use of electronic medication administration (eMAR) but only ½ of the hospitals want to fulfill it within the next three years (18). Next, Nurses does a lot of communication with the different departments such as pharmacy and laboratory, sometimes it might take them 58 minutes to go to the nurse’s station, just to answer the telephone (Turisco The Global Effect of Nursing Technology Essay

Technology continues to change the world at warp speed. The changes are particularly evident in healthcare settings where emerging technologies have transformed patient care and the practice of nursing.

Technologies like artificial intelligence and telehealth, for example, are being integrated into health systems to reduce professional shortages in hospitals. Telehealth specifically is useful to providers as it enables them to provide health care outside traditional hospital settings.

According to a report released by the American Hospital Association on workforce strategic planning trends, more healthcare facilities are deploying new care models and technologies to supplement the existing workforce to effect this change.

While some health care professionals are still hesitant to adopt it, a survey of more than 600 professional nurses agrees that the new technology will impact patient care positively. During the study, the professionals found that new technologies helped them with routine tasks and reduced human error caused by working long hours.

They also stated that the technology should not replace day-to-day human interactions. The professionals also agreed that caregivers should not over-rely on healthcare technology and software as the human interpretation of symptoms is an essential aspect of quality health care. The text identifies seven emerging technologies that are transforming medical care:The Global Effect of Nursing Technology Essay

Electronic Health Records
The introduction of this technology couldn’t have come at a better time. Its widespread use has eliminated endless paperwork and the need to wait for hard copy medical records, as well as the need to fill out patient charts.

With this technology, nurses can share a patient’s records to doctors, thereby improving the quality of care to the patient and communication among healthcare providers. Additionally, the scope of patient information is available to healthcare workers, and nurses are increased.

Another advantage of EHR systems is that health care workers and nurses have access to a patient’s health information at the point of care. It is this feature that speeds up treatment and early diagnosis of fatal illnesses.

Patient-generated Health Data Systems
Modern healthcare systems are emphatic on patient-centric health care. Patient-generated health data systems have been invented; as a result, to allow patients to gather and record data using their smartphones or via wearable technology.

The systems are designed to collect data such as the patient’s blood pressure, food intake, blood sugar levels, and exercise habits. Patient-generated health data provides a better understanding of the patient’s condition, insight into the patient’s home health, and access to clinically relevant patient information.The Global Effect of Nursing Technology Essay

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Also, patient-generated information helps address chronic conditions through at-home care and reduce incidences of readmission.

Mobile Communication Systems
Improved health care depends on staff coordination and excellent communication. Health care institutions that integrate mobile communication systems report significant tremendous improvement in this area.

Also, real-time communication among staff reduces untimely disruptions and improves a patient’s experience and general level of care. Nurses find this technology useful as they only need one device to communicate about care, medical administration, and receive alert messages.

What’s more streamlining communication in a health facility helps locate other nurses around the hospital quickly, assign tasks to others, send direct messages to other clinicians, and receive patient alerts using one device. In the past, nurses needed multiple devices in the form of pagers and cell phones to communicate.The Global Effect of Nursing Technology Essay

Automated IV Pumps
The pumps are designed to control the drips and dosages given to patients. Software for this technology enables nurses to set appropriate drip amounts and medication, so the patient does not need to wait for the changes.

As such, the automatic IV pumps help speed up the administration of health care, which is essential if the patient needs immediate adjustment. The technology also eliminates human error likely to present problems to clinical patients and hospitals.

Smart Bed Technology
Smart bed technology is an integrated solution for patient care, monitoring, and assistance based on a multidisciplinary and comprehensive design approach. The technology helps nurses monitor a patient’s weight, movement, and vitals. It also plays a critical role in keeping the patient comfortable during his stay at the hospital, as falls and patient injuries are pretty common in hospitals.

The smart beds have a sensor under the mattress to prevent the fall. The sensor not only alerts the nurse when the patient is out of bed but also creates a report of the patient’s movement so professionals can monitor patterns. As such, nurses spend minimal time tracking the patient and can focus on the critical work that needs human input.The Global Effect of Nursing Technology Essay

Wearable Technology
In the past, we have used mobile apps and wearable devices that help monitor a patient’s heart rate, sleep patterns, exercise, respiration, among other health metrics. Advances in technology introduce apps for nurses too.

One such app is the Steth IO smartphone stethoscope that enables doctors and nurses to use their smartphones to monitor a patient’s heart rate and breathing pattern. Using a phone is less intimidating for young patients and provides users with a full range of information for easy tracking of the patient’s medical needs.

Also, elements of human error are eliminated because data communication is done directly. With these apps, the process of record-keeping is prompt, and it helps nurses maintain consistent health monitoring.

Nursing Education Software Technology
Nurse education has become dynamic, given the ongoing technological advances. As such, modern education software for nurses has been developed to help nursing students take online classes and use patient simulators.The Global Effect of Nursing Technology Essay

According to the 2015 Vision Series report released by the National League of Nursing, teaching about emerging technology is the future of nursing practice and education. The report also addressed the need for technological competence among nurses recommending that nurses should be well-versed in cloud computing and other advanced storage platforms.The Global Effect of Nursing Technology Essay

As such, professionals should not just encourage patients to take charge of their care, but they should be able to translate patient-gathered information into effective treatment options. The Global Effect of Nursing Technology Essay