Introduction
Since the invention of the stethoscope in 1816, technology has continued to change healthcare in a positive way by enhancing and expanding the capabilities of clinicians (Ramundo, 2012). The various forms of technologies have transformed the way modern nurses work. The technology also progresses along with nursing roles in the healthcare sector. The advancement of technology could be the answer to the myriad of challenges facing the healthcare industry. These drawbacks include a shortage of nurses, increased patient acuity, lowering down reimbursement, and raising costs. Patient satisfaction and quality of life have improved significantly due to the impact of technology advancement in nursing. In addition, overall outcomes, such as reduced clinical errors and paperwork, have decreased significantly. All these factors are products of technological advancements of technology inside and outside the field of nursing.
Today, new technologies in the healthcare industry are emerging at a significantly high rate. As such, nurses need to acquire skills and knowledge in a number of complex technologies. Without a doubt, technology in nursing has brought about positive changes in the industry. However, nurses complain of inadequate training and technological hitches that affect their work.
Some of the innovations in the nursing sector include Point-of-Care Technology, Electronic Health Records, Robotics and Electronic Lift Systems, Smart Beds.
Technological Advancements and Their Benefits
Healthcare records have continued to improve due to technology. The Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a digital record of a patient that contains information, such as a patient’s health history from many locations, and/or sources, such as hospitals, clinics, and public health agencies (Huston, 2013). Computerized documentation has been associated with improved results in nursing and better patient outcomes. An advantage of EHR is that it is available 24 / 7 and has some built-in safeguards that ensure that patient health information, confidentiality and security are maintained. The use of this technology also ensures that nurses get instant access to a patient’s medical history. It also improves communication between caregivers and offers flags and alerts, which prevents conflicts over prescriptions and tests.
Electronic Lift Systems and Smart Beds
These technologies have an impact on enhancing the efficiency and the safety of the daily routine in nursing. Since they are designed with remote controls, the lift systems have lowered workload, stress, and occurrences of injury to nurses and their patients.
Reduced stressed levels ensure that nurses provide better healthcare services to their patients.
In simple terms, Point-of-Care Technology consists of a family of devices and interventions connected “wirelessly” to each other. This implies that nurses can access and obtain an extensive range of data, including X-rays, for example, right at the patient’s bedside. The technology further enables the nurses to seek different opinions from other healthcare professionals from the patient’s bedside.
The Barcode Medication Administration
This technology is modern based on a computerized barcode system important in preventing human errors in prescriptions and medications. The system then provides information on whether the medication is correct or wrong. This yields better patient safety because it helps nurses prevent errors with medicine prescriptions. This is the last position where errors can be detected. By using this technology, administration no longer relies only mostly on workers because computers have taken over most of the risky tasks involved.
Disadvantages
One of the main disadvantages of technology in nursing is the need for extra training. Novice nurses are overwhelmed by the technological requirements involved in caring for their patients (Cater et al., 2008). In such cases, technology tends to increase in their workload rather than help in reducing the amount of work involved.
Another pitfall of technology is that a lot of time is required for the initial entry of the details of a new patient compared to the regular paper-based charts. In addition, they may require a higher degree of customization with respect to a particular healthcare facility or the level of patients.
The issues of cost, implementation and maintenance serve as other obstacles to the adoption of technology in hospitals. Various studies have documented these costs and realized the huge costs involved (Agrawal, 2002).
In some instances, technology may produce data inconsistencies. This effect is felt when implementing the Point-of-Care Technology. This eventually leads to time wastage and heavy costs. Security and privacy challenges are common with the adoption of technology. Sensitive and confident private patient information can be accessible to hackers when the appropriate protection measures are not implemented.
Conclusion
This analysis shows that technologies have transformed the provision of healthcare services in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The advancement of technology is the answer to various challenges that affect the healthcare industry. For example, nursing shortages, high patient acuity, low reimbursement and changing costs are being solved using technologies. Technology has also increased patient satisfaction and quality of life.
Evidently, every good system has some flaws. However, whenever the benefits outweigh the losses, the system must be embraced. Therefore, it is recommended that hospitals continue embracing new technologies that promise to improve service delivery.
References
Agrawal, A. (2002). Return on investment analysis for a computer-based patient record in the outpatient clinic setting. J Assoc Acad Minor Phys, 13(3), 61–65.
Cater, L., Nelson, J., Sievers, B., Dukek, S., Pipe, T. & Holland, D. (2008). Exploring a culture of caring. Nurs Adm Q, 32(1), 57-63.
Huston, C. (2013). The impact of emerging technology on nursing care. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18(2), 122-128.
Ramundo, D. (2012). New technologies to enhance nursing practice. Nursing Critical Care, 7(3), 40-42.