Abstract
The use of computer technology in nursing is an expanding field that requires special attention from patients and medical officers. The hypothesis of the paper is that the integration of informatics in the activities of nurses can significantly simplify their workflow. The methods used to study the problem included the research on medical resources and portals to compile a complete picture of the use of technology in the nursing field. As a result, it has been proven that technology has a positive impact on the work of medical professionals, reduces the likelihood of errors, and accelerates the recovery process.
Search Engine for Nursing Research
Nursing students often face the need to familiarize themselves with the latest information coming from medical resources quickly and easily. They have a special responsibility for the life and health of their patients, which requires nurses to have good and high-quality knowledge in their field. However, it can be hard to memorize large amounts of information, and it is impossible to carry textbooks and reference books with you in a workflow, which is why students often resort to search engines for nursing research.
One of the largest databases for nurses is the Nurse Portal, which contains a searchable database with links to more than twenty thousand sites related to patient care. This system is convenient because it allows nurses to search by pre-filtering elements and save search logs (Nursing Search Engine, n.d.). The functionality helps to significantly expand the scope of the search and facilitate the training of students just beginning their study of the medical field.
Such databases significantly outperform conventional search engines such as, for example, Google. The main search engines view only the minor part of Internet sources and often go astray from a given query due to the large amount of information contained. A search on special search engines narrows the selection of sites shown and gives only the data that a nurse may really need.
Informatics Used in Patient Care
Hospitals and medical organizations are increasingly resorting to information technology to record patient data and assist in making clinical decisions. A nurse can use information technology for such important tasks as conducting diagnostics, developing care plans, conducting treatment, and consulting patients and their families. These systems make it possible to more accurately assess the needs of patients and cope with huge layers of information.
Computer scientists research data to find effective tools to help providers perform duties and collaborate in various disciplines. Nursing staff uses informatics solutions to identify patients at increased risk of serious illnesses and take preventive measures at an early stage (Benefits of Informatics in Nursing, 2020). Automatic alerts minimize the likelihood of medical errors, which helps, for example, to prepare in advance for a patient’s allergic reaction to a drug. All these processes would have been slowed down without technology or even ignored due to medical error.
The results obtained with the help of healthcare information systems, electronic medical records, and software tools can not only help in performing the daily tasks of nurses but also contribute to the transformation of the entire healthcare organization. Accurate medical records are essential for quality treatment. Computer scientists ensure that organizations have platforms and processes for detailed documentation of the condition and medical history of each patient while respecting confidentiality rules.
The Computer Application Used to Guide Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing
One of the applications that can guide evidence-based practice in nursing is an Electronic Health Record (EHR). It is used as an electronic version of the patient’s medical history and contains all the data necessary for treatment, including prescribed medications, vaccinations, and reports on medical procedures. EHR is necessary to simplify the doctor’s access to the patient’s data and greatly facilitate work in conditions of high workload.
Thanks to EHR, a great leap has been made in developing healthcare and strengthening the relationship between a patient and a medical officer. Automation of the system significantly reduces the risks of medical malpractice, increases the accuracy of diagnosis, reduces the number of additional tests, and simplifies patient awareness of the course of treatment (Electronic Health Records, n.d.). The data stored in the system, as well as their timeliness and availability, allow healthcare providers to make precise solutions and provide better medical care.
EHR was created to exchange information between healthcare organizations, accelerate medical officers’ work process, reduce the chance of malpractice and generally improve the quality of patient treatment. The popularity of the computer application is easily explained by the huge number of advantages that the record has brought to the healthcare system. Today, these tools are actively used to guide evidence-based practice and simplification of services for nursing students.
Computer Technology Promoted Interdisciplinary Communication Among Healthcare Providers
The use of high-quality technology in medicine can significantly increase the efficiency of nurses’ work. One of the key aspects of computer technologies is to facilitate communication between health workers, which will lead to a reduction in medical mistakes and the promotion of patient-centered care. The combination of all these elements simplifies internal communication between healthcare organizations, which will lead to an overall improvement in the quality of medical care.
The spread of computer technology increases the interest of an ordinary person in health and the course of treatment. It undoubtedly causes more active participation of the patient in the process of his recovery. The technology helps to provide patient-centered care by facilitating communication between service providers and patients through online services, text messages, and email (Foisey, 2017). The availability of information also helps with improving self-control and becoming aware of current health issues.
All these elements together contribute not only to patients but also to doctors who strive to make patient care the most comfortable and high-quality aspect of medical treatment. Computer technologies allow patients to understand the course of their treatment clearly and simplify their communication with nurses and attending physicians. Helping doctors and their clients at the same time, technological systems bring communication between them to a fundamentally new level.
Using Mobile Devices in Healthcare
Even though research on mobile devices’ impact on health workers is just beginning to be held, the advantages of mobile devices’ usage are noticeable today. These devices significantly help increase the working process’s productivity and simplify communication and information retrieval, providing nurses with the ability to respond to emergency situations quickly. Along with many advantages, mobile nurse devices can also have disadvantages, reflected in a negative impact on the healthcare system’s development.
Unlike the traditional pagers, mobile devices provide instant feedback and lead to the cohesion of medical officers. This characteristic can also manifest itself in a difficult situation, allowing the nurse to stay with the patient until the doctor arrives. Getting rid of the need to search for employees in the traditional way saves nurses time and mitigates burnout among medical professionals (Zysk, 2018). At the same time, mobile devices can lead to distraction and increase the risk of error due to the human factor. From all of the above, it follows that even with all its advantages, mobile devices still remain an unreliable assistant.
One of the medical software programs widely used by nurses is PEPID Professional Nursing Suite which is actively used among medical professionals right now. It provides the nurse with all the information necessary for high-quality medical care and timely response to the patient’s problem. This resource also gives a deep understanding of diseases treatment methods and is available not only on personal computers but also for mobile devices.
References
Benefits of Informatics in Nursing. (2020). Adelphi University. Web.
Electronic Health Records. (n.d.). Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Web.
Foisey, C. Q. (2017). 4 Ways Technology Is Improving Patient Safety. Health It Outcomes. Web.
Nursing Search Engine. (n.d.). The Nursing Portal. Web.
Zysk, T. (2018). Five benefits of using smartphones for nurse communication. Healthcare Innovation. Web.