Technology has profoundly reshaped the nursing profession, impacting workflows, patient care, and overall efficiency. While some advancements simplify tasks, others prioritize cost savings or enhance patient safety. Nurses, like professionals in other sectors, sometimes resist new technologies, preferring familiar processes. However, once acclimated, they often appreciate the benefits.
One significant consequence of technological advancements is the creation of new healthcare roles. For example, the advent of ultrasound technology necessitated trained professionals to operate it. Similarly, respiratory therapy, nuclear medicine, and other specialized fields emerged due to technological progress.
Improvements in Medical Care
Technology has undeniably improved healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Before electronic IV monitors and infusion pumps, nurses had to closely monitor patients receiving IVs manually. These manual IVs were prone to inconsistencies in flow rate, requiring constant supervision. Considering the prevalence of IVs, electronic monitoring has saved substantial time and resources.
The electronic sphygmomanometer, or blood pressure cuff, exemplifies another impactful innovation. This device automates blood pressure readings and records heart rate, significantly streamlining vital sign monitoring.
Furthermore, technologies like ultrasound and sonography provide invaluable insights into the human body, enabling visualization of unborn babies and detection of cancerous tumors. Although nurses may not perform or interpret these scans, they benefit from the reduced need for invasive diagnostic procedures.
Improvements in Information Management
Accurate record-keeping is crucial for nurses. While some facilities still rely on paper charts, technology streamlines this process. Computerized systems manage medication dispensing, hospital occupancy, and insurance claims. Electronic health records (EHRs) enable quick access to patient histories for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers. Mobile devices allow nurses to update records in real-time, eliminating end-of-shift delays. Internet access provides immediate access to databases for symptom and drug interaction information.
Reducing the Risk of Mistakes
Computerized drug management systems minimize the risk of medication errors, preventing patients from receiving incorrect drugs or harmful combinations. Portable defibrillators are designed for safe and effective use. Many technological advancements prioritize error reduction, enhancing patient safety and alleviating stress for healthcare professionals.
Technology and the Nurse
As nursing becomes increasingly specialized, proficiency in technology is paramount. While pharmaceuticals remain vital, medical devices play an expanding role in treatment. Healthcare development firms are increasingly focusing on device development due to concerns about drug interactions and litigation.
The growing demand for medical care, coupled with healthcare worker shortages, fuels the development of new technologies. Innovations that enhance nurses’ efficiency or delegate tasks to aides or administrative staff optimize resource utilization and increase patient capacity.
Furthermore, technology aims to prevent errors that could harm patients. Devices with built-in safeguards minimize misuse. Computerized hospitals often implement systems that verify medication appropriateness based on a patient’s current medications and diagnosis, requiring manual overrides for discrepancies.
While nursing remains a demanding profession, technological innovations have made it more manageable. Despite the initial learning curve, the time and stress saved provide significant benefits.