The video under consideration highlights several technological advances that can be used in the ICU setting. The described systems are designed to address some of the most burning issues in nursing practice (Intelligent Hospital TV, 2014). Such areas as patient safety, privacy, as well as information management are put to the fore. The offered technology can be beneficial for both patients and nurses, but some of the advances still need to be properly checked and abandoned if necessary. This paper focuses on the benefits and associated risks of some systems discussed in the video in question.
The system that links all the pieces of equipment in the ICU is an important technological advance that can improve patient health outcomes. Nurses and other healthcare professionals can benefit from the use of such systems as all the necessary information is available and easily accessible. Healthcare practitioners can observe any changes and react correspondingly. In that way, patient safety can be ensured, and proper care can be provided. Nurses will not forget to check some important signs from open of the pieces of equipment since everything they need is on the screen. Of course, it is essential to ensure data security and proper information management. For instance, some software failures can lead to the loss of data or inaccurate reporting. However, such deficiencies are quite rare these days. Therefore, I find this system necessary since it enables healthcare professionals to provide high-quality healthcare services. It can also have a positive impact on their motivation and performance.
The system associated with the most concerns is related to medication administration. It is noted that the technology blocks the administration of any drug if some errors are detected. This can be regarded as an important system that minimizes medical errors. Kuizenga, Vereecke, & Struys (2016) analyzed the existing empirical data and found that such systems were efficient. At the same time, the researchers stressed that more research is needed to ensure the safety and efficiency of these control systems (Kuizenga et al., 2016). I agree with this opinion since software flaws can result in dramatic outcomes. It is also rather unclear whether any portion of the drug is administered or no drug is provided to the patient. If the latter is the case, there are chances that the patient’s health status can deteriorate grow exponentially. It is also noteworthy that the system blocks drug administration based on the data provided by healthcare professionals, which is associated with possible medical errors. Wrong data can make the control system inefficient or even lead to patients’ death.
To sum up, the systems discussed in the video can be helpful in the ICU setting, but some of them need further tests and improvements. The use of the systems that provide full data concerning patients’ health status will be beneficial for both healthcare professionals and patients. Nevertheless, control systems applied to drug administration are hazardous and need to be improved. They do not eliminate medical errors but can expose patients to serious risks. The deterioration of patients’ health will lead to substantial financial and reputation losses for the healthcare unit. They can also become a considerable emotional burden for healthcare professionals leading to their burnout. Irrespective of certain concerns, it is possible to emphasize that technological advances can help healthcare practitioners provide high-quality care and avoid any work-related stress.
References
Intelligent Hospital TV. (2014). The ICU at the 2014 Intelligent Hospital™ Pavilion [Video file]. Web.
Kuizenga, M. H., Vereecke, H. E. M., & Struys, M. M. R. F. (2016). Model-based drug administration: Current status of target-controlled infusion and closed-loop control. Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology, 29(4), 475-481.
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