The Impact of Nursing Technology in Health Care
How Has Technology Changed Nursing?
In an era where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, it’s only natural that the health care sector should experience transformations driven by technological advancements. From artificial intelligence and machine learning to telemedicine and wearable devices, technology is reshaping how we diagnose, treat, and manage health conditions. This integration of technology enhances the efficiency and accuracy of medical care and improves access to health services, empowering patients and health care providers.
Nursing technology has changed the world of health care in sweeping ways, including:
- Improving workflow and reducing burnout. Nurses spend nearly one-third of their shifts performing administrative tasks like stocking supplies, scheduling, billing, and documenting patient information. Technology can make collecting information more streamlined and less time-consuming. Nurses can concentrate on more critical tasks, and this, of course, leads to less work. And less work leads to less burnout.
- Streamlining communication and allowing greater access to care. New communication technology has helped nursing teams interact with patients more efficiently and effectively, especially if patients are in rural areas and do not normally have access to health care services. Nurses can consult with patients remotely, make assessments, monitor vital signs, and keep in more timely contact.
- Improving patient outcomes. Technology is beneficial to patients for many reasons. For instance, with electronic software, patients can gain quicker and more efficient access to their medical records. And technology helps prevent and reduce medication errors and mistakes, enhancing patient safety. Plus, technology allows patients to take an active role in their health by giving them access to their health records and health providers through electronic patient portals and health apps. Easier communication with health care providers makes it easier for patients to engage in their health, improving their outcomes.
Indeed, the field has changed dramatically over the past generation in all aspects, but some specific areas have particularly been affected by advances in nursing technology, specifically telenursing, electronic advancements, portable devices, and smart tools.
Telenursing
Telenursing, or telemedicine or telehealth, became more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic to give patients more access to their health care providers. It refers to virtual appointments using internet-based video calls conducted with a computer, tablet, or smartphone. One of the main advantages of this type of visit is preventing contagious patients from spreading their illness to others. It’s also helpful for patients who might have mobility issues or who live far away from their providers. Another benefit to telenursing is that these visits are easier to schedule and have lower costs because they’re conducted in the patient’s home.
Electronic Advancements
Technology is quickly becoming an invaluable tool for nurses in managing data. Artificial intelligence, for instance, helps reduce time-consuming tasks, improves the organization of electronic medical records, and can help nurses collaborate and communicate better with other team members (there’s even an AI device that can draw blood!). And electronic medication management systems help reduce errors and improve patient safety, assisting health care providers with prescribing, administering, reviewing, and disposing of medications as well as reducing the risk of errors caused by illegible handwriting and incorrect orders.
Portable Devices
Handheld digital devices like mobile computers, tablets, and smartphones, as well as portable EKG and ultrasound devices, offer greater mobility for nurses and other health care team members. These portable devices allow health care professionals to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively, collecting and sharing real-time patient data and streamlining the process of collecting information and offering on-the-spot patient care.
Smart Tools
Nurses carry out a wide range of duties, and with the nursing shortage, it’s harder than ever for them to tackle everything on their to-do list. Enter mobile robotics. Robots can offer some helpful solutions, including greeting patients, conducting contactless triage interviews in the ER, and delivering lab specimens or medications. Augmented reality technology like smart glasses can help nurses access patient information hands-free, improving workflow and reducing medical errors. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) uses technology to transmit real-time health data between patients and providers. Examples of RPM devices include digital blood pressure monitors, heart monitors, pedometers, and pulse oximeters. RPMs give patients greater peace of mind and allow for fewer officer visits. They also offer more individualized patient-provider interactions.
Can Nurses Be Replaced by Technology?
With all these technological advances in the health care industry, you may be wondering whether technology will replace nurses. Although technology poses no risk of replacing nurses soon, nurses and other medical professionals will continue incorporating technology into their daily routines. Experts do not always agree on the future of health care, yet one thing is for sure: Nurses will continue using advanced technology to see more patients daily, administer medications more efficiently, and monitor conditions with greater confidence.
If using state-of-the-art technology to provide first-class patient care sounds appealing to you, a career as a nurse might be in your future. Earning your nursing degree is the first step. If you want to explore the world of technology and nursing, consider becoming a nursing informaticist. You could be on your way to a rewarding career blending technology and high-quality patient care.
