Technology has been a driving force in the advancement of healthcare and nursing in the past several decades. With its implementation, nurses have delivered better care and become more efficient in their day-to-day work (Krick et al., 2019).
Technology has become a fundamental part of nursing and is continuing to evolve. By embracing technology, nurses can improve their practice and providing their patients with the best care possible. Through technology, nurses will be able to continue to positively impact their patients’ lives, resulting in improved patient outcomes and a more efficient healthcare system. In my opinion, technology is a friend, even though it can be challenging to adapt for older nurses. Despite the ambivalence of technology perception in the nursing practice, it has changed the field, improved patient outcomes, and helped nurses stay up to date on the latest developments.
Technology can also be a threat to the nursing profession by removing the human element of patient care. Technology can replace nurses and other healthcare practitioners in some roles, such as providing diagnostic information or delivering medications via automated systems. Additionally, with the increase in digital health tools, nurses may spend more time on their computers instead of with their patients, which can lead to decreased job satisfaction. The developments in telemedicine can also pose a challenge to elderly nurses who are not up to date with the latest advancements.
Technology in Telemedicine
Technology has been instrumental in changing the face of nursing, making it easier for nurses to provide quality care to various patients in telemedicine settings. In recent years, technology has significantly impacted how nurses practice and deliver care to their patients (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2021). From computerized medical records to telemedicine, technology has revolutionized the nursing profession. For remote access to medical services and care management, telemedicine makes use of digital information and communication technology. Significant advancements in nursing practice result from this, indicating the importance of technological advancements in the field.
Increased Efficiency and Accuracy
Technology has improved the accuracy and efficiency of patient care while also allowing nurses to stay updated with the latest developments in the field. Computerized medical records have qualified nurses to quickly access patient information, while telemedicine has enabled nurses to provide remote care to patients in rural and underserved areas (Archibald & Barnard, 2018). Technology let nursing specialists to practice more safely and effectively, with advancements such as barcode scanning medication administration systems helping to reduce medication errors (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2021).
In addition, technology has allowed nurses to better communicate with their patients, with patient portals and other digital tools helping to improve patient engagement and satisfaction. Overall, technology has revolutionized the way nurses practice and deliver care to their patients.
Improved Patient Outcomes
The use of technology in nursing has also been associated with improved patient outcomes. Archibald & Barnard (2018) have shown that technology can help reduce medical errors, improve the accuracy of diagnosis, and speed up care delivery. In addition, technology has enabled nurses to monitor better their patients’ conditions, with the use of remote patient monitoring systems helping to reduce hospital readmissions. Additionally, patient portals and other digital tools have made it possible for nurses to provide more individualized patient care, increasing patient happiness and participation (Graban & Toussaint, 2018). Technology has enabled nurses to provide better and more efficient patient care.
Associated Ethical Implications of Technology in Nursing
In recent years, there has been a greater focus on the ethical implications of technology in nursing, with questions about the potential impact of technology on patient privacy and autonomy. Furthermore, the ethical implications of technology in nursing must be considered when developing new policies and procedures for using technology in nursing (Black, 2021). These worries include worries that technology is prejudiced, widens income and power disparities, and shatters social relationships. Ultimately, the ethical contribution to the assessment of health technologies must go beyond questions of clinical application and concentrate on problem description (Krick et al., 2019).
The distinction between technical and non-technical concerns and the ethically troubling consequences of technologies should be addressed not in spite of the progress but by taking it into account.
Conclusion
Overall, technology has become an integral part of the nursing profession. With the use of technology, nurses are now able to work more effectively and efficiently while also giving their patients higher-quality treatment. Despite perceptions of technology as a foe to nursing practice, the field gained a lot of advantages from the technological advancements in patient care. Technology has allowed nurses to access and analyze data faster and more accurately, resulting in improved patient outcomes. It has also enabled nurses to be more organized and efficient in their practice, saving time and energy.
Additionally, technology has enabled nurses to stay connected and share information with other healthcare team members more easily. Finally, technology has allowed nurses to be more creative in their approach to patient care and has enabled them to create new and innovative tools to serve their patients better. Utilizing technology, nurses can continue to give their patients the best care possible and advance their profession.
References
Archibald, M. M., & Barnard, A. (2018). Futurism in nursing: Technology, robotics and the fundamentals of care. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(11), 2473–2480. Web.
Black, B. (2021). Professional nursing: Concepts and challenges (9th Ed). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Graban, M., & Toussaint, J. (2018). Lean hospitals: Improving quality, patient safety, and employee engagement. Productivity Press. Web.
Krick, T., Huter, K., Domhoff, D., Schmidt, A., Rothgang, H., & Wolf-Ostermann, K. (2019). Digital technology and nursing care: A scoping review on acceptance, effectiveness and efficiency studies of informal and formal care technologies. BMC Health Services Research, 19(1), 1-15. Web.
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2021). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
