INTRODUCTION:

Barbara Carper, a professor at the College of Nursing at Texas Woman's University, wrote an essay in 1978 titled the "Fundamental Patterns of Knowing in Nursing," that has identified four ways of knowing that nurses apply to meet patients' needs¹. Today many universities and nursing colleges are using her fundamental patterns to help nursing students gain a more universal approach to assessing, understanding and treating patients. One of Carper's patterns is the empirical knowing that is based on the result of the most relevant and supported evidence derived from research. This includes research related to nursing informatics and the use of technology in healthcare¹.

Definition:

The American Nurses Association defined Nursing informatics as "A specialty that integrates nursing science and computer science to manage and communicate data, information and knowledge in nursing practice. Nursing informatics can also be defined as any use of information technology by nurses for the purpose of enhanced patient outcomes, the management of healthcare facilities, nurse education and nursing research¹.

Modern Technology Pertaining to Nursing:

Before the digital age, nurses were utilizing paper forms to document important patient information. A significant factor in the nursing profession and healthcare systems is the transition to electronic documentation. Electronic documentation contains flow sheets that help in assembling information about the patient's needs, improve the patient's information accuracy, and enhance the quality of patient care.

A well-designed information system can facilitate and provide an easier and faster information flow that is needed for efficient documentation processing. Nurses play an essential role in patient's safety where the quality of the nursing environment and electronic documentation has a positive influence on patients. The electronic documentation method has evolved to provide a plan of care for patients, efficient communication between clinicians, and direct patient care processes. Nurses are very diligent in coordinating, monitoring and delivering patient care to guarantee effective documentation flow. Nursing computer-based software allows nurses to collect, store, recover data and integrate clinical data with nursing management resources².

Healthcare outcomes including quality of life measures are the result of a multifaceted relationship between the patient, the nurse, the treatment and the information healthcare system. A strong foundation for addressing the challenges of electronic documentation is the informatics nurse's capability to understand and direct the balance of patient care with the technology systems and organizational structure that supports this balance.

In order to guarantee a successful implementation of a computer system while managing patient care it is important to integrate nurses' perceptions, beliefs, and knowledge in the use of new technology and how nurses implement this technology into their daily nursing practice. Finding the right balance of information science in conjunction with nursing science is a continuing process that will rely on the forward thinking and perseverance of today's modern nurse and the support of nursing informatics specialists².

Increasingly, as technology permeates every aspect of our daily lives, using technology in health provision and care coordination is becoming a core skill needed across the nursing profession. Nurses work in the role of communication director and care coordinator for patients across many settings. This demands a diverse skill set in order to ensure optimum delivery of services².

Benefits of Nursing Technology:

The advances in information technology and new devices have improved the quality of life for patients and healthcare professionals alike³.

Improved Accessibility:

Electronic health records (EHRs) have transformed the healthcare information technology space. An electronic health record is a digital version of a patient’s medical history. It can include progress notes, providers, problems, medications, lab data, etc. EHRs can improve patient care by improving the accuracy and clarity of medical records, and making data easily accessible to healthcare providers, doctors, and patients.⁴

Advancements in telehealth have also played a large part in improved accessibility. Telecommunication systems have made it easier for patients separated geographically to receive nursing care via remote patient monitoring, live video conferencing and mobile health apps. In today’s environment, it has become easier for those in remote geographic areas to have access to quality care.⁴

Decreased Human Error:

New technologies can decrease the chance of human error. Nurses who work long hours or have understaffed units are at a higher risk of making mistakes. With new medical technologies, routine procedures are simplified. For example, automated IV pumps can measure the dosage of medication given to patients. This creates a quicker process for changing drip amounts and dosage.

EHRs also help with decreasing mistakes at the bedside. Since the data is readily available, EHRs can help reduce duplication of tests or delays in treatment.⁴

Positive Impact on Nursing Shortage:

Nurse burnout has been a factor in the shortage of nurses in the U.S. Prolonged mental and physical exhaustion can cause nurses to feel stretched thin, which leads to nurses leaving their practice setting. Emerging technologies in telehealth can help mitigate the burden put on nurses since it takes fewer nurses to provide adequate care.⁴

Telehealth also provides nurses the opportunity to reach geographical areas that are identified as having health professional shortages. This includes locations in more rural regions that lack reasonable numbers of healthcare professionals; telehealth helps address these shortages by effectively providing care to patients remotely.⁴ These strides in telehealth technology can ultimately reduce healthcare costs by decreasing ER visits and hospital admissions.

How Healthcare Technology used by Nurses:

Technology is beginning to support nurses to offer better care. It offers huge potential to clinicians, including community nurses, who deliver care across the continuum of hospital wards, people’s homes, specialist clinics, and in GP practices.

Healthcare settings now utilize a wide variety of things such as: electronic records, medication prescribing tools, tele-health, online appointment scheduling and mobile laboratories. Nurses are all too often the key personnel required to operate these solutions and maintain the associated data records.

These are some of the reasons why nursing leaders must take steps to embed digital literacy firmly in education, and across all parts of workforce and performance development.⁴

Technology-led services are continually changing the way nurses operate. One significant factor has been the transition to electronic records. Integrated care records, that draw together accurate patient information, help nurses ensure that the needs of patients are understood. They also safeguard patients by accurately tracking progression throughout various care pathways, and allow test results, diagnoses, procedures, and treatments to be appropriately recorded in order to enhance the quality of patient care. A well-designed patient record system can facilitate an easier, faster flow of information that is needed for efficient care provision.

Nurses Role in Patient-Safety:

Nurses play an essential role in ensuring the safety of patients throughout their interactions with different health services, and this ability to access and apply real-time data insights is absolutely essential in order to ensure optimum patient safety.

In the past, nurses would spend a significant amount of time trying to connect all these disparate elements of information at the bedside. For clinicians, with access to connected and integrated records, it becomes much easier to optimize many of these processes.

While many care record systems are far from perfect, these new methods of working do streamline many administrative processes, involved with nursing, freeing up more time for them to actively interact with patients.⁴

Electronic Systems and Effective Care Provision:

The introduction of electronic patient records, and integrated care processes, ensures efficient communication between clinicians, and has a direct impact on patient care processes. At the heart of modern nursing is the ability to diligently document patient information in order to coordinate effective care provision. Therefore, there is a growing need for nurses to be proficient in managing the effective flow of documentation across the different systems of the care environment.

Technology is also improving standards, and quality of care, in nursing, through the delivery of evidence-based practice and support for clinical decision making. Many healthcare providers have now adopted technologies that provide data-enabled, clinical decision-making and support evidence-based nursing practice. For nurses, this helps to standardise the delivery of care within their organisation’s, and beyond to the wider profession, resulting in improvements to quality of care for the complete health continuum. These solutions also help reduce clinical errors and administrative delays that can impact the overall quality of care provided.⁴

Communication Across Healthcare Settings for Patient-Centred Care:

Communication across healthcare settings is increasingly being facilitated by instant messaging and team collaboration tools that facilitate multi-disciplinary teams. For nurses, who usually provide the lynchpin services of these teams, this means coordinating care is becoming more streamlined and thus more efficient. Point-of-care testing, and access to bedside test results, reduces the time taken to identify, and diagnose, while improved scheduling software enables staff to maintain standards of care across hand-overs and between departments.

Healthcare outcomes, including quality of life measures, are the result of a multifaceted relationship between the patient, the nurse, and the treatment and the healthcare system. Adopting the right technologies within practice is a continually evolving process that relies on the skills of today’s modern nurses to achieve an appropriate balance.

With a rapidly ageing population, changes in technology, changes in management demands, and the evolution of nursing knowledge and practice, have created growing opportunities for qualified senior nurses and nurse leaders. If you’re interested in furthering your nursing career, and stepping into a leadership role, find out more.⁴

7 Stand out Technologies Transforming Medical Care:

There are 7 stand out technologies transforming medical care, and as nurses are educated about new medical technologies and practices, patients and providers benefit.⁵

1. Automated IV pumps:

Automated IV pumps control the dosages and drips given to patients. Software and medical tech allow nurses to change the drip amounts and medication doses so patients aren’t waiting for changes. There are IV pumps for nutrition, which gives needed meals at the right times. Additionally, there are self-pumps which allow patients to increase a controlled amount of pain medication for themselves.

Automated IV pumps help speed up nursing processes, and can be crucial if there is a need for immediate adjustment. Changing medication through an automated process also removes elements of human error that could present issues for clinical patients and hospitals.⁵

Automated IV kits give nurses opportunities to focus on other areas of work, instead of having to measure and give medication or food.

Hospitals all have different kinds of automated IV pumps, so training and education is often based on the specific hospital or clinic where nurses work. Additionally, many nursing schools give training and information on new software and technology, including how automated IV pumps work and why they are valuable.

2. Portable Monitors:

Portable monitor equipment allows nursing professionals to check up on patients even if they are on the move, or busy helping someone else. Portable devices monitor vital signs like ECG, respiratory rates, and oxygen saturations while transmitting the information back to a central monitor. This means that nurses will get an alarm notification if there is any emergency.⁵

Most hospitals have nurses check on levels hourly. Portable monitoring technology allows nurses to track and note stats at the right time, even if there are a lot of other things going on.

This helps patients be constantly monitored from anywhere in the hospital, and the alerts and alarms sent to nurses through the portable monitor can save lives. Nurses learn at their specific hospital how to utilize portable monitors, and nursing schools help teach students the value and general use of many common pieces of equipment.

3. SMART BEDS:

Smart bed technology can help nurses track movement, weight, and even vitals.

Smart beds also play a major role in keeping patients safe and comfortable during a long hospital stay. With the number of falls and patient injuries inside hospitals, smart beds are very important for patient safety.⁵

Smart bed technology gives nurses a constant monitor in a room that provides them with regular updates and communications on a patient’s activities. It can also help them identify patterns, which can lead to a new diagnosis or a different understanding of a condition.

Nurses also spend less time coming in and adjusting supplies and medical equipment for comfort or safety, because they can help control that with their smart bed. It allows providers to get back to other important work that needs to be done by humans.⁶

4. Wearable Devices:

Wearable devices and mobile apps are transforming the healthcare industry. Devices that help track heart rates, exercise, sleep, respiration, and more, are helping people take their health into their own hands.⁵

Wearable microfluidic devices. Miniaturized microfluidic systems

With increased accessibility to iPhones, nurses also benefit from apps and devices that help them care for patients. For example, the Steth IO smartphone stethoscope is essentially a stethoscope app that allows nurses and doctors to simply use their smartphone to get breathing sounds and see heart rates. Using a phone can be less intimidating, especially for younger patients, and gives providers a full range of information and easy tracking of medical needs.

Wearable devices from health tracking, to specific patient monitoring, are often called the future of healthcare. With access to huge amounts of data, wearable devices can help the entire healthcare process; from diagnosis to recovery.⁷

Wearable devices help remove elements of human error for nurses, because the communication of data comes directly from the device itself. It allows for faster record keeping, helps patients & nurses maintain consistent monitoring of health.

5. Electronic Health Records:

Electronic health records (EHR) are taking over older paper filing methods. Electronic medical records (EMR) systems, also known as electronic health records (EHR) systems, are increasingly crucial to the operation of medical practices. They document patient encounters, support clinical decision-making and track a practice's financial performance. These complex software solutions are primarily focused on the clinical side of day-to-day operations, but they also include integrations with practice management software that conducts key administrative and billing functions.⁵

New Generation of EHR (Image from: www.policymed.com)

Electronic health records allow nursing experts to document care provided to patients, and retrieve information that can help prioritize care. Additionally, information entered into computer systems, can then be accessed by the care team, including doctors and even patients themselves when necessary. While security continues to be a concern for electronic health records HIPAA laws ensure security and privacy of electronic records are maintained by healthcare organizations, and new technology like blockchain and cryptography are easing privacy concerns.

EHR’s can tell registered nurses (RNs) whether steps still need to be taken for a patient, can monitor small condition changes, and can give them information immediately as alerts or reminders.⁸Real-time health updates impact the speed and accuracy of medical care. RNs learn how to use software systems on the job, but their education and training will help them quickly understand what different indications on medical records mean, and what their course of action should be; to ensure improved patient outcomes.

6. Centralized Command Centers:

One of the newest ideas for hospitals, centralized command centers, promise improved patient experiences and better ways for RNs and doctors to manage supplies, clinical technology, and capacity. This is done through software applications such as dashboards that provide real-time updates for an organization.⁵

With shorter or non-existent delays between transitions of care, nurses and doctors can actively be aware of room availability, OR schedules, and what individual patients still need in order to be discharged. This allows everyone to do their job more efficiently, and help patients more effectively.

Specifically designed for capacity management, command centers being piloted around the country are performing well. Many hospitals report operating at higher capacity, and overall improved patient experiences.⁹

7. Telehealth and APPS:

Telehealth is a new and valuable element in healthcare. Hospitals and clinics allow patients to virtually video-chat with a doctor or nurse. Patients are able to describe their symptoms, or show doctors things like rashes or bumps.⁵

This allows patients to quickly be diagnosed, without leaving the comfort of their own home. They can be told if they need to come in for further testing or diagnosis, be prescribed medicine, or given medical advice.

Telehealth saves patients and doctors alike money and time. Similarly, it prevents sick patients from coming to public places, and exposing other patients. This technology is changing the way clinics operate and how patients are cared for.

Similarly, medical apps and wearables help patients and doctors work to improve health. Doctors and nurses can monitor vital signs of patients without them being in the office. They can be utilized for overall health and wellness, or for specific medical concerns such as seizures or diabetes.⁸

Similarly, apps can help patients understand when they should call a doctor, and when a simple over-the-counter medication could help. This again conserves resources in clinics, and helps patients save time and frustration.

Mental health issues can also be addressed with the help of apps. Mindfulness apps help individuals understand their mental health and energy, and remind them to take time for these important aspects of wellness. Increasing app and telehealth technology gives doctors, nurses, and patients themselves, more control over their health.⁹

NURSING EDUCATION:

New clinical healthcare technology is exciting and transformative for healthcare. With new innovations impacting the industry every day, now is the perfect time to advance your nursing career.⁵ An online university like WGU can help you get the training you need to advance your career, or even start out as a registered nurse in some states. You have the ability to go to school while continuing to work at your job, so you don’t miss a beat and can still meet your responsibilities as a breadwinner for your family. Using software for online college programs will help you be more comfortable with the computer skills required by advances in health IT (health information technology), and the flexibility to do coursework on your schedule will help you keep your life on track.

Competency-based education (CBE)⁵ means you can take your work experience and use it to help you move faster through courses where you already have knowledge and experience. As new technology changes the field, you need to change with it. Earning a degree will help you be prepared to take on new roles and be qualified for the responsibilities that are coming your way. An online nursing program is the perfect way to get started on the path to an innovative future.

Potential Drawbacks of Nursing Technology:

The rapid growth of technology in the healthcare space has identified potential obstacles that hospital systems may face.

A Threat to the Human Element:

Improved technology can threaten to replace person-to-person interaction between nurse and patient. Nurses have the role of establishing a relationship with their patients and their families; they are responsible for explaining medications, taking vitals and helping patients with daily needs. In some hospitals, nurses are required to wheel in their workstation (a computer on wheels) to record information about the patient. While typing information on a computer is perceived to be more trustworthy by patients and healthcare professionals alike, it will inevitably create less face-to-face interaction.⁴

As a response to the aging population, robotics has become an emerging field in healthcare. In Japan, nurse robots are being manufactured and tested as a way to lessen the burden of nurses; however, these robots lack empathy and a “human touch”.⁴ More research is required before understanding if these machines will improve patient care.

Generational Divide:

Nurse leaders understand that workplace technology integration can be largely influenced by generational differences among staff.⁴ Baby boomers are perceived to be lacking in tech-savvy skills and may be slower to adapt to new devices.

Data and Security Threats:

As with most any computerized information, EHRs kept in the cloud or in the form of big data are more susceptible to being hacked. Cybercrimes for hospitals are not uncommon as patient profile data can be sold on the black market ranging from $20 to $50. If an inexperienced employee accidentally clicks on malware, a whole EHR system may be at risk of being compromised. Hospitals that have a breach in data or EHR can pay hefty fines depending on the severity. Security threats to a patient’s data can ultimately make a facility think twice before storing important patient records in the cloud.⁴

CONCLUSION:

As new technologies continue to emerge, nurses will have to embrace the benefits as well as challenges that come along with them.¹⁰However, it is evident that new nursing technologies have really impacted positively on the provision of quality, safe, and efficient health care service.

This has tremendously improved the lives of not only patients but also nurses, who presently find it easy to offer their services in a shorter time. This is a critical provision in the context of technological advancements and improved service delivery in the healthcare sector.¹⁰

REFERENCE:

1. Emerging Technologies - Technology and Patient Care, by Cristina Cassano, MSN, RN, BSN

2. https://www.himss.org/resources/right-balance-technology-and-patient-care

3. The Right Balance –Technology and Patient Care. Published on October 01, 2014.

4. Health Tech, News – published on AUGUST 12, 2019 https://thejournalofmhealth.com/technology-in-nursing-today/

5. How Technology is Impacting Nursing Practice; published on September 10, 2019. https://avanthealthcare.com/blog/articles/how-technology-is-impacting-nursing-practice-in-2019.stml

6. Nursing profession widely agrees new medical technologies help with patient care. 7 nursing technologies transforming patient care; published on March 1, 2019. https://www.wgu.edu/blog/7-nursing-technologies-transforming-patient-care1903.html

7. 'Smart Bed' Could Give Patients a Lift When They Need It. Published in Tech News World. (Image ref) https://www.technewsworld.com/story/72039.html

8. Smart Wearable Devices report, https://3wnews.org/ - published on May 24, 2020 (Image ref) https://3wnews.org/uncategorised/969897/smart-wearable-devices-market-2019-growing-rapidly-with-significant-cagr-leading-players-innovative-trends-and-expected-revenue-by-2025/

9. New Generation of EHR, - published on Feb 3, 2020 (Image ref) https://www.policymed.com/2020/02/whistleblower-suits-signal-new-generation-of-ehr-fraud.html

10. Centralized command center’s, https://healthtechmagazine.net/

11. (Image ref) https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2020/02/look-inside-adventhealths-massive-new-command-center

12. New Technologies in Nursing, Updated: March 4th 2020 - (Image ref) https://custom-writing.org/free-essays/new-technologies-in-nursing/

Received on 19.06.2022 Modified on 02.07.2022

Research J. Science and Tech. 2022; 14(4):238-246.

DOI: 10.52711/2349-2988.2022.00039