The cooperation of computer technologies and healthcare records has turned out to be rather efficient and profitable because the creation of a “data-intensive enterprise” is observed. In addition, software introduction has ameliorated the process of diagnostics and patient examinations making it much more accurate (Kluge, E. W 2001 p. 1). Hence comes, computers have accelerated the data process and the effectiveness of its storage. Nevertheless, it is necessary to define the main problems that arise while handling electronic data records about the client and to the nurse, and how it affects the information sharing.
Considering the aspect of the patient, it is necessary to mention the ethical issue of that question. That electronic database is the more confidential method of maintaining the information. On the one hand, due to the rapid development of informational technologies, electronic records in comparison with material ones are much easier to operate and, as a result, there is a greater possibility to obtain access to it. That is why, that may lead to the rise of ethical and moral problems (Kluge, E. W 2001 p. 2). In other words, a threat to patient confidentiality might occur.
Another problem that needs a thorough examination is the patients’ incompetence in handling the electronic information. Especially, it concerns the clients of the older generation who are ignorant in the sphere of computer technologies. The same problem could be connected with the nurse staff.
Speaking about the nurse, in particular, I should admit that electronic patient records interruption hampers the direct communication between the medical staff and a patient. Instead, the nurse mostly focuses on the data adequacy that is deprived of any moral influence. In my opinion, it negatively influences the patient’s treatment since there are cases when it is impossible to analyze the disease history without direct communication. Thus, it is of crucial importance to rely not only on software indices but also to apply your practical knowledge and wisdom to treat the patient carefully (McGonigle, D. & Mastrian K. 2008 p. 5).
Further on, as it comes out of the patient ethics, the nurse should be responsible for the maintenance of privacy of the records and secure them from undesirable access. That means that the nurse is required to follow the strict rules in handling the personal information stated in the medical report and diagnostic process data and is bound with obligation for the irrelevant usage of the personal patient records (Ball J. M. 2000 p. 335).
Another important point to be considered is information quality. In other words, we speak about a diligent systematization of information and its proper application to the client. Therefore, the data should be divided according to the priority and importance before submitting it to the patient.
And finally, it brings me to the conclusion that the rapid development of computer technologies positively has facilitated the information sharing between the nurse and the patient due to the easier access to the information and to the acceleration of the data transmission itself. However, the nurse should avoid the abuse usage of personal data otherwise it may have an irreversible effect. Still, despite some slight drawbacks of electronic methods of data maintenance, it has contributed greatly to the improvement of medical treatment and the increase of healthcare service standards.
Reference List
Ball, J. M. (2000) Nursing Informatics: Where Caring and Technology Meet US: Springer.
Kluge, E. W. (2001). The Ethics of Electronic Patient Records. New York: Peter Lang.
McGonigle, D. & Mastrian, K. (2008). Nursing Informatics and the Foundation of Knowledge. US: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.