Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends

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10 months ago

ISATU JOHNSON

Discussion week 6 Response# 1

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10 months ago

Silvanus Manduku

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Tinsae Berhe

RE: Discussion – Week 6 response #2

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10 months ago

Perkaloah Queeglay-Tarpeh

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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RESPONSE#1

Hello Iyabo,

Great informational post! Healthcare technology and empathetic care both play crucial roles in the provision of nursing care (Buchanan et al., 2020). As you mentioned, the adoption of EHR has greatly advanced patient satisfaction across several hospitals. The systems provide up-to-date, comprehensive, and accurate patients at the point of care. Besides, the EHR allows patient information such as medical history, diagnosis, and lab results to be saved in one repository and accessed by authorized persons (Dykes et al., 2017). I also agree that the high cost of purchasing and maintaining the EHR is a major challenge for the full adoption of this technology trend. The likely danger linked to EHR includes inadequate standard guidelines, data safety, and patient care concerns (Kaihlanen et al., 2021). I believe that Artificial intelligence health technologies with decision-making capabilities autonomous from humans could present enormous benefits to a healthcare organization. For instance, clinical decision support and warning systems that use machine learning principles may be useful in aiding nursing workflow and offering personalized patient in hospital backgrounds.

References

Buchanan, C., Howitt, M. L., Wilson, R., Booth, R. G., Risling, T., & Bamford, M. (2020). Nursing in the age of artificial intelligence: Protocol for a scoping review. JMIR Research Protocols, 9(4), e17490. https://doi.org/10.2196/17490

Dykes, P. C., Rozenblum, R., Dalal, A., Massaro, A., Chang, F., Clements, M., Collins, S., Donze, J., Fagan, M., Gazarian, P., Hanna, J., Lehmann, L., Leone, K., Lipsitz, S., McNally, K., Morrison, C., Samal, L., Mlaver, E., Schnock, K., … Bates, D. W. (2017). Prospective evaluation of a multifaceted intervention to improve outcomes in intensive care. Critical Care Medicine, 45(8), e806-e813. https://doi.org/10.1097/ccm.0000000000002449

Kaihlanen, A., Gluschkoff, K., Laukka, E., & Heponiemi, T. (2021). undefined. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-07132-6

10 months ago

Tina Haslett

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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Hello Iyabo!

A great post with a ton of insight. I agree with the notion that telehealth/telemedicine will greatly influence nursing. Telehealth is great for supplying certain type of care for a population of patients that cannot come to a traditional office visit. This can be due to transportation, mobility issues, lack of providers in rural area, and much more. In the last couple of years, telehealth has become a solution for continuing care during the Covid-19 pandemic. Telehealth is especially beneficial when used for behavioral health (Monaghesh & Hajizaden, 2020). The first time I was exposed to telehealth, it was being used for talk therapy. According to Kruse et. al. (2017), the success of telehealth relies heavily on patient willingness to participate and overall satisfaction with care. There are some barriers with utilizing telehealth, such as access to and the ability to operate any necessary technology. Overall, I think it is a great addition to patient care. Thanks for the great post!

References

Kruse, C. S., Krowski, N., Rodriguez, B., Tran, L., Vela, J., & Brooks, M. (2017). Telehealth and patient satisfaction: a systematic review and narrative analysis. BMJ open, 7(8), e016242. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016242

Monaghesh, E., & Hajizadeh, A. (2020). The role of telehealth during COVID-19 outbreak: A systematic review based on current evidence. BMC public health, 20(1), 1193. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09301-4

10 months ago

Charmagne Yokoyama

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Cheryl Wagner WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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Great informational post, Charmagne,

And nice discussion points! Electronic health records are amazing tools, and quite an advancement from the ways we used to document patient data. However, if nurses spoke up more to communicate the things that were lacking, they could be even better. Just today I was having a conversation with my husband [who works in the Emergency Room as a psychiatric screening nurse] regarding a patient who tested positive for COVID-19 last week. The patient was sent home with orders for strict quarantine, but three days later the patient presented to the ED post-fall and failed to inform staff of the pending results. The triage nurse brought the patient to the room and treated him like any other fall patient not knowing there were results pending. Long story made short, the patient’s results were positive and all staff members who had direct contact with him had to be placed in quarantine. Why don’t we have the capability to flag charts of people with infectious diseases? This seems so crazy to me! This is definitely a major issue and something that needs to be addressed immediately. My husband tells me that police officers get a notification of communicable diseases prior to going on a call. We as healthcare staff actually have to dig through a patient’s history to find out pertinent information. What is wrong with this picture?

Another major issue my husband has seen pertains to medication reconciliation. During triage nurses may mark a patient’s medications as “reviewed” or “in progress,” the admitting physician may presume that the patient is currently taking all of the medications listed in the chart not realizing that the medication reconciliation isn’t complete and reorder them for admission. “The risk of medication errors is heightened during care transitions because clinicians, and in some cases patients, do not have access to accurate up-to-date medication lists. This can result in the inadvertent addition, omission, or duplication of medications, resulting in ‘unintended discrepancies’ between what patients should be prescribed and what they are actually prescribed” (Rangachari et al., 2019, p. 84). It’s mind boggling to think that such errors are still occurring due to glitches in the system.

When it comes to communication via the electronic health record (EHR), nurses report that the documentation availability isn’t conducive to what they need – so they often use quick notes to jot important information. But quick notes aren’t easily retrieved. “The few studies that have observed how nurses use EHR systems in practice have highlighted that using structured flowsheets that do not communicate with each other and lengthy or limited assessments lead to nurses using free text comments which are then not retrievable in the system” (Dowding et al., 2015, p.14). Important documentation is missed, then, among other previously stated issues. Although EHRs are much more efficient than paper charting, they still leave a lot to be desired – particularly by nursing staff.

What do you think? Any particular EHR areas that you think are lacking?

Nice work!

Dr. Cheryl

References

Dowding, D., Turley, M., & Garrido, T. (2015). Nurses’ use of an integrated electronic health record: Results of a case site analysis. Informatics for Health & Social Care, 40(4), 1-17

Rangachari, P., Rangachari, K. C., Fallaw, D., Davis, I., Summer, M., Ray, W., & Fiedler, S. (2019). A mixed-method study of practitioners’ perspectives on issues related to EHR medication reconciliation at a health system. Quality Management in Health Care, 28(2), 84-95.

10 months ago

Charmagne Yokoyama

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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RESPONSE #1 YokoyamaC

Hi Dr. Cheryl,

Thank you for your response to my post. Whenever humans participate in anything, we have the ability for error. We are human, we attempt to accomplish great things in life but at the end of the day – we make mistakes. Most of us have heard the term, “To Err is Human” and it could not be truer. Documentation is crucial to our career as a floor nurse. We are taught in school, if it isn’t documented, then it didn’t happen. Electronic health record Errors can also occur because of omitting details in a challenging computer system, that would have otherwise been written on paper. Documentation that is “floating in tech space” is another example of lost documentation and documentation errors. When we document in the electronic health record, then we better be able to find it!

In your discussion post, you mentioned nurses have a difficult time documenting in a system that doesn’t really work for them. I agree with that statement because we are pushed for time, pushed to care for people in difficult situations, pushed to deal with a computer language that seemed simple to the builder, but has its flaws for the nurse consumer. “It is essential for nurses to be involved in the initial design of systems to improve the quality of health care and change their culture in this regard” (Darvish et al., 2014). This is why we have a growing field of nursing informaticists, these specialized nurses connect the dots of patient care and documentation.

The example you provided about the positive covid patient walking into the ER and exposing all the hospital workers is extremely sad. Poor communication from the patient can create a scenario of detrimental consequences for others. Shame on anyone who exposes innocent people to a possible deadly virus without knowing the ramifications of their actions. Don’t you want to work for a company that protects you, cares about you, and delivers optimal care to others? All of us would jump at that opportunity because it provides a meaningful purpose, direction, and a sense of being part of the “family team”.

Our medical records show the current prescriptions we are taking, the last time we picked up the prescription, and what pharmacy we used. This is a plethora of pharmacy knowledge at our fingertips, with a few pieces of identifying information. HealthIT.gov (2018) shared, “EHRs are built to share information with other health care providers and organizations – such as laboratories, specialists, medical imaging facilities, pharmacies, emergency facilities, and school and workplace clinics – so they contain information from all clinicians involved in a patient’s care”. Communicable diseases should be the other red flag in this scenario, especially in the hospital setting. Some new patients arrive in our lobby, incoherent or not able to speak for whatever reasons. They may even be incapacitated, so we should have access to pertinent information concerning a possible transmission of disease – the same way we can easily see their prescription history.

Kind regards, Char

References

Darvish, A., Bahramnezhad, F., Keyhanian, S., & Navidhamidi, M. (2014). The role of nursing informatics on promoting quality of health care and the need for appropriate education. Global journal of health science, 6(6), 11–18. https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v6n6p11

HealthIT.gov. (2018). What is an electronic health record (EHR)? Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-electronic-health-record-ehr

10 months ago

Olga Tsoy

RE: Discussion – Week 6-Reply 1

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Good day colleague Iyabo Osidele,

Electronic health record (EHR) is a convenient tool for patients, healthcare providers, administration, and other disciplines in the healthcare industry. The most significant benefit of EHR is accessibility; EHR gives access to health information at any time, at any place in the world. For example, before, the process of requesting your health data was troublesome and required several days to receive; right now, everything can be done online within 10 minutes (HealthIT.gov.,2019).

I completely agree with you that Telehealth is the most extensive technological advancement opening so many healthcare possibilities. In COVID times, we use telemedicine when specialists are not readily available for in-person visits; patients and families could receive thorough advice on particular issues over the video call.

Wearable technology is another trend in healthcare that aids healthcare professionals in managing chronic diseases and delivering early signs of severe health issues (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017).

Reference:

HealthIT.gov. (2019). Improve Care Coordination https://www.healthit.gov/topic/health-it-and-health-information-exchange-basics/improve-care-coordination

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

10 months ago

Iyabo Osidele

RE: Discussion – Week 6 Response #1

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Good post, Charmagne. Tele- health is having a great impact health care now. . Like you mentioned in your post that “Another health care trend that is impacting health care technology in nursing practice is using tele-health”. Tele- health is becoming more popular as the population ages, putting more strain on the health care system, and nursing shortages making it difficult to meet those demands, and by ensuring that more people have access to timely nursing care, tele health services in nursing can help cut health care costs and improve patient outcomes. It serves as a vital link between in-patient treatment and at-home health management, regardless of its role in nursing. Tele health is becoming more popular in the nursing industry. Nurses now have new tools to reach patients and increase health care access for all by incorporating tele health services into regular operations. Tele health can be used to supplement According to a 2019 AHA report, health care providers saved more than $2,700 per patient when using tele health services instead of in-person physical therapy after knee-replacement surgery. Tele health can be used to supplement in-patient care by allowing nurses to track patients’ progress after they leave the hospital or while treating a chronic condition at home (Gagnon, 2020). Nurses can use tele health technology to exchange patient data with doctors and specialists in real time, allowing patients to receive the greatest care from anywhere in the globe. The beautiful thing about technology and tele health is the flexibility it provides in terms of designing services that work best for a specific work setting or individual (inTouch Health, 2019).

References

Danielle Gagnon (May 04, 2020). The role of Telehealth in nursing. Southern New Hampshire University. Retrieved January 4, 2022, from https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/health/role-of-telehealth-in-nursing

How telehealth can ease the nationwide nursing shortage. InTouch Health. (2019, September 25). Retrieved January 4, 2022, from https://intouchhealth.com/nationwide-nursing-shortage-eased-with-telehealth-services/

10 months ago

Doreen Muller

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Justina Oyiboke

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10 months ago

Silvanus Manduku

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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What an excellent way to present your argument about ‘Healthcare Information Technology Trends.’ The illustration and comparison between past and current centuries in matters of health technology paints a picture of a complete digital shift/switch. At a very steady rate, technology has digitized every healthcare approach. Unlike in yesteryears, nurse movements, decisions and treatment procedures are subjected to digital systems – This is a new era.

Today, technologies in the healthcare sector are geared towards streamlining operations in one way or another (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). Whereas some are IT tools, others are in the form of software. Regardless of the form of technology, all are incorporated in devices, medication, as well as systems. Ultimately, workflows have been eased and more quality care registered. Of the many technologies applicable in the context at hand, mobile applications are equally beneficial in the quest to realize quality healthcare outcomes. Since the apps can upload information, provide data analysis and guarantee expert advice, they have become supportive trends in healthcare. Although mobile devices, including the adoption of telehealth, offer promising opportunities, apps are said to yield a unique opportunity; Enhancing medical training and education.

According to Skiba (2017), all technologies in healthcare settings face challenges and pose numerous risks. Officials in healthcare are ever worried about mobile apps and electronic data transfer due to lack of regulation. In other instances, approval of the same information is absent – This is more of a data privacy issue and failure to address it can lead to healthcare errors. In reference to the Denver spring example, the use of mobile and messaging triggers effective communication. However, relying on mobile technology can easily lead to little or no research. The same can result in a knowledge gap among healthcare professionals.

Reference

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge

(4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Skiba, D. (2017). Evaluation tools to appraise social media and mobile applications. Informatics,

4(3),32–40. doi:10.3390/informatics4030032

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10 months ago

Kayla Joyce

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Tokunbo Allen

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Cheryl Wagner WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER

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10 months ago

Iyabo Osidele

RE: Discussion – Week 6 Response # 2

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10 months ago

Charmagne Yokoyama

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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RESPONSE #2 YokoyamaC

Hi Tokunbo,

In your post, you mentioned a “Cloud Storage System” as one of the most impactful technology trends to healthcare delivery. It makes sense that the data you want saved for each patient would be placed in tech space …… floating around, waiting for someone with the “key” or passcode to open it, but I wonder why our hospitals and clinics are not doing it? It seems we have this giant gap of missed connections with our health care data. Nobody is on the same page, all of us keep our information on different systems. We need a fluid communication system that allows providers to access patient personal data, within a very short amount of time. I am not sure what is holding us back. Do we need a visionary billionaire to invest in the process, so we can facilitate commonly used tech space to share patient data, across the globe?

We currently use data storage and common communication techniques to find prescription information on everyone. It is easily done so the providers can quickly see what this patient has been taking or given as prescription medicine. This tracking system helps in many ways, and one of them is to ensure medicine does not get abused. As Beyene et al., (2014) reported “The prevalence rate for borrowing someone’s prescription medication was 5% to 51.9% and for lending prescription medication to someone else was 6% to 22.9%. A wide range of medicines were shared between family members, friends, and acquaintances”. On the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies [DORA] 2022 website, I found information pertaining to the changes made with prescriptions in 2013. There was a crackdown on tracking prescriptions for opiates because of the addictive traits and widely abused drug. “The Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) is a powerful tool for prescriber’s and dispensers to help reduce prescription drug misuse, abuse, and diversion: helping them to make more informed decisions when considering prescribing or dispensing a controlled substance to a patient” (Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, 2022). I believe your idea on the “Cloud Storage System” should be handled in the same way. We need someone with money, influence, and the same vision to create a common cloud of health care data, information, and storage.

References

Beyene, K. A., Sheridan, J., & Aspden, T. (2014). Prescription medication sharing: a systematic review of the literature. American journal of public health, 104(4), e15–e26. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2013.301823

Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (2022). Retrieved from https://dpo.colorado.gov/PDMP

10 months ago

Doreen Muller

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

CHIOMA EDEH

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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Hi Tokunbo,

Nice post. Maintaining patient privacy using Electronic Health Records is essential. Many Electronic Health Record (EHRs) data displays are insensitive to their settings, contexts, and clinicians’ needs (Kuziemsky et al., 2019). At my place of work, the IT department always reminds staff of cyber-attacks by criminals. Sometimes, the IT department will send out testing information with an unknown link on a cyber-attack to see if staff will fall victim by clicking on the link. When a staff falls victim by clicking on the unknown link, an oops option will come up with a sign you got caught. An educational instruction is sent to the staff to avoid unknown links to protect patient privacy.

Quality and patient safety are essential for the provision of effective health care services (Letaief et al., 2021). Through EHR, data sharing at my place of work is common. The nurse/healthcare staff can consult/share the patient data through the perfect serve option. Perfect serve option makes it easy for healthcare providers to provide quality patient care without delay.

Reference:

Letaief, M., Leatherman, S., Tawfik, L., Alboksmaty, A., Neilson, M., & Horemans, D. (2021). Quality of health care and patient safety in extreme adversity settings in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: a qualitative multicountry assessment. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal = La Revue de Sante de La Mediterranee Orientale = Al-Majallah Al-Sihhiyah Li-Sharq Al-Mutawassit, 27(2), 167–176. https://doi.org/10.26719/2021.27.2.167

Kuziemsky, C. E., Schwartz, D. G., Airan-Javia, S., & Koppel, R. (2019). Context and Meaning in EHR Displays. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 265, 69–73. https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI190140

10 months ago

Eucharia Okolo

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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Hi Tokunbo,

Nice post, I agree that technology is quickly redefining the face of health care delivery . With the recent shortage of nursing due to pandemic , Telehealth technology can help ease tensions of the current nursing shortage in many Ways , ultimately Improving nurse utilization(Gagnon, 2020)It also eases the burden of limited time for nurses who often find themselves stretch thin amid the nurses shortage. Nurses in telehealth have meaningful contact with patient due to lack of intrusion, interruptions ,and distractions that plagued traditional office visits. Nurses engaged in telenursing practice continued to assess, plan , intervene, and evaluate the outcome of Nursing care, through the use of digital assessment tools, and telemonitoring equipment (Schlachta-Fairchild, 2008)

Reference

Schlachta-Fairchild, L. (2008, April 8). Patient safety, telenursing, and Telehealth. Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. Retrieved January 9, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2687/

Gagnon, D. (2020, May 4). The role of Telehealth in nursing. Southern New Hampshire University. Retrieved January 8, 2022, from https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/health/role-of-telehealth-in-nursing

10 months ago

Doreen Muller

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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General Healthcare Technology Trends

Technology has afforded me an opportunity to work from home as a telecommuter for the last six years. Prior to working for my current employer, I worked in a company that still had paper charts and had not transitioned to electronic health records; to remind patients of their appointments we had to call them. Today with technology, if patients have smartphones, they get appointment reminders on their text messages and if they have access to the internet, they can receive their reminders on an email. Additionally, patients can also access their health information on a patient portal. At the health plan I work for, our website provides an expansive amount of information for, that includes how to find a doctor to benefit guides just to name a few. According to Middleton et al., (2020). “Technological progress in information communications technology (ICT) has resulted in the development of short message service (SMS, or text messaging), smartphone applications (apps), e-mail, Web-based consultations, and online peer support groups.”

Describe any potential challenges or risks that may be inherent in the technologies associated with these trends you described.

With new technology comes the challenge of learning to use it successfully. Some of the challenges patients may experience include access to smartphones, the internet, and using texting features and social media platforms. (Kelly et al., 2017). Even with a detailed and informative website like our health plan has, it requires knowledge of how to navigate the site to find what one needs. For patients who do not have access to the internet, own a computer or even know how to use a computer, they will not have the benefit of exploring the health plans website. With that being said, it is important to assess if patients have access to the internet and a computer prior to advising them to access the website for information. According to Skiba (2017). “…it is of great importance that both health care professionals and consumers have the necessary knowledge and skills to guide the appropriate use of these tools.”

Change can be hard. Most recently in my department, we had to transition to a different software. Even with existing computer skills, learning how to use the new software to perform my job was challenging. With time I have learned how to maneuver the new software and I am able to perform my duties as a telehealth nurse.

Potential benefit and one potential risk associated with data safety, legislation, and patient care for the technologies you described.

The potential benefit of patients having access to the internet, a computer which would give them access to a patient portal and the health plan website includes communicating with their health care providers. If they have blood work done, they can log onto their patient portal and review their labs.

One risk of having access to health information electronically is the risk of breach of security. This could result in a patient’s information being misused, and it is costly for the organization that had the breach. During our training on the new software, we were required to sign a privacy agreement and the virtual room was locked prior to sharing any patient information.

At the health plan I work for, we are required to take the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) refresher courses every year. HIPAA was enacted into law in 1996 to ensure high-quality healthcare without compromising patient privacy and protected health information (PHI) (Oyeleye, 2021).

Explain which healthcare technology trends you believe are most promising for impacting healthcare technology in nursing practice and explain why.

I have been a telehealth nurse for the last six years and I believe it is the healthcare technology most promising for impacting healthcare technology in nursing practice. The ability and ease of reaching out to patients, completing assessments, and providing necessary resources and referrals. With telehealth patients receive care in the comfort of their homes. Additionally, patients who live in remote areas can receive telehealth without having to travel long distances to see a doctor.

Describe whether this promise will contribute to improvements in patient care outcomes, efficiencies, or data management. Be specific and provide examples.

As a telehealth nurse when I had to do any assessment, most times the patients are available and forthcoming with their concerns which when addressed improves their health outcomes positively. Most of my patients are happy to receive healthcare over the telephone. Telehealth helps with efficiency as a patients’ electronic health records (EHR) are readily available and accessible and can be reviewed and discussed during an assessment. During an assessment as I gather data from a patient, the data is updated to the patients EHR.

References

Middleton, T. L., Constantino, M. I., Molyneaux, L., AlMogbel, T., McGill, M., Yue, D. K.,

Twigg, S. M., Ted Wu, & Jencia Wong. (2020). Secular Trends in Information Communications Technology: Access, Use, and Attitudes of Young and Older Patients With Diabetes. Diabetes Spectrum, 33(1), 66–73. https://doi.org/10.2337/ds18-0082

Kelly, C. M., Van Eaton, E. G., Russo, J. E., Kelly, V. C., Jurkovich, G. J., Darnell, D. A.,

Whiteside, L. K., Wang, J., Parker, L. E., Payne, T. H., Mooney, S. D., Bush, N., &

Zatzick, D. F. (2017). Technology Use, Preferences, and Capacity in Injured Patients at

Risk for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Psychiatry: Interpersonal & Biological

Processes, 80(3), 279–285. https://doi.org/10.1080/00332747.2016.1271162

Skiba, D. (2017). Evaluation tools to appraise social media and mobile applications. Informatics,

4(3), 32–40.

OYELEYE, O. A. (2021). The HIPAA Privacy Rule, COVID-19, and nurses’ privacy

rights. Nursing, 51(2), 11–14. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NURSE.0000731892.59941.a9

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10 months ago

Cheryl Wagner WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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Good points Doreen,

and great discussion information. I think we are advancing by leaps and bounds in the area of technology and health care, but for whatever reason, many of the new creations are not really very useful to nurses.

For example, I have to admit, I am starting to get pretty worried about the state of our electronic health records (EHRs) – and I always call them electronic health records because the use of the term electronic medical records seems to move things under the purview of physicians, which is not always in the best interest of nurses and other health care workers.

Anyway, I have been involved in some ongoing research about nursing documentation patterns and how what nurses do is making a difference in patient outcomes. Sadly, since nurses currently and ALL over the country, only document what they are compelled to do legally, all that can be shown about nursing documentation is that they follow doctors’ orders. There is no evidence that the nurse is applying critical thinking and providing patient care based on his or her independent assessment of the patient condition and needs. There is only evidence that he or she is following doctor’s orders. And as we all know, anyone can be trained to follow doctor’s orders. In our area, we have medical assistants who can easily follow those orders, and they are a LOT cheaper to employ than nurses.

So by not correctly documenting what he or she is doing based on an assessment of the patient and/or patient data, nurses are slowly but surely making a case that they are not needed in the care of the patients. Obviously they are, of course, but there is no way to demonstrate this in the current EHR. That is really scary, because sooner or later, someone is going to notice this and start suggesting that nurses be replaced with less expensive help.

Why am I telling you this? Because nurses need to start standing up and voicing their opinions about what is missing in the EHR. They need to have nursing cares added in the systems – things like nursing interventions and nursing outcomes and yes, I will say that dirty word – nursing CARE PLANS. If nurses are not needed to ensure good care of the patient – as currently demonstratable in the EHR – then pretty soon we are expendable.

That is what worries me – and I am not talking out of my hat. Literally the research is starting to show this.

What do you think? Are things any better in your neck of the woods?

Nice work!

Dr. Cheryl

10 months ago

Olga Tsoy

RE: Discussion – Week 6-reply2

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Good day colleague Doreen Muller,

I enjoyed reading your post, and seeing how new technology and the new telehealth trend allowed you to work from home without unnecessary commutes makes me wonder: What a wonderful world of nursing integrated with the latest technology opened so many doors. Such a small but convenient feature you mentioned is automated appointment notification; it freed up some time for other tasks in one of the medical offices I worked at before.

As you have mentioned, many technological advantages exist. There are so many, and I would like to say the one I use the most is convenience in healthcare transactions: electronic prescription (HealthIT, 2019). Another positive technological change in electronic medical record is electronic physicians’ orders. Digital doctors’ orders aid in the reduction of negative medication responses by 13% (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). Improving overall patients outcome.

Reference:

HealthIT.gov. (2019). Improved Patient Care Using EHRs. https://www.healthit.gov/topic/health-it-and-health-information-exchange-basics/improved-patient-care-

using-ehrs

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

10 months ago

Cynthia Kadiri

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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Hi Doreen

great post

Electronic medical record (EMR) is accessible and organized it is there when you need it wherever you are , i am sure you can see the great difference with the advancement of technology, as mentioned in your post prior to technology nurses spend so much time trying to get information for patient care , also time consuming when we have to remind patients about their appointments, but now patients are advised to register on the portal it affords patients the opportunity to review their records and also participate in their own care. Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is accessible and organized it is there when it is needed.

Telehealth is growing in popularity with so many benefits , especially with the current pandemic limited contact reduces everyone’s exposure to COVID 19, it cuts down on travel and shorten wait time for an appointment

Reference

Laureate Education (producer). (2018) Electronic Records and Managing IT Change

. Baltimore, MD: Author

10 months ago

Kayla Joyce

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

CHIOMA EDEH

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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Hi Doreen,

Nice post. At my previous workplace, I was opportune to work from home using a computer device to access patient information. There are limitations set up when using the device to access patient information. The device software is user-friendly. Staffs are able to access patient data easily, be it for physician consultation, appointment, treatment, labs, medication order, and admission records. The only disadvantage is that the patient does not have access to the device. When the patient needs/requests their information, the staff will either print or email the information to the patient. The healthcare organization is trying its best to set up the patient portal to allow patient access to the software. The idea of granting patient access to the software will reduce staff workload. The patient will be able to access their information and schedule their appointment.

Patient privacy is of optimal importance. The main rationale for protecting personal privacy is to protect the interests of individuals (Özer et al., 2020). To protect patient privacy, the staff can only access patient information using the healthcare organization device. No, outsourced device can be used to access patient information.

Reference:

Özer, Ö., Özkan, O., & Budak, F. (2020). The Relationship between the Nurses’ Perception of Electronic Health Records and Patient Privacy. Hospital Topics, 98(4), 155–162. https://doi.org/10.1080/00185868.2020.1799729

10 months ago

Perkaloah Queeglay-Tarpeh

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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RESPONSE#2

Hello Doreen,

Thanks for sharing your post. I agree that health information technology (HIT), including Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems, show potential for enabling health care advancement. Additionally, the easy access and widespread utilization of the internet has times enhanced the general growing trends of health information technology(HIT) and telehealth (Cresswell et al., 2021). Telehealth has helped advance healthcare affordability and value across healthcare systems. Besides, telehealth guarantees that all patient groups are offered round-the-clock care at all times. The potential risks of telehealth are security and privacy issues (Bernardeschi et al., 2020). These systems are susceptible to attacks, which implies that sensitive and confidential information could be accessed by unauthorized persons. I believe the implementation of robotics is a favorable technology that would considerably impact nursing practice.

References

Bernardeschi, C., Dini, G., Palmieri, M., & Racciatti, F. (2020). Analysis of security attacks in wireless sensor networks: From UPPAAL to Castalia. Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Information Systems Security and Privacy. https://doi.org/10.5220/0009380508150824

Cresswell, K., Sheikh, A., & Williams, R. (2021). Accelerating health information technology capabilities across England’s National Health Service. The Lancet Digital Health, 3(12), e758-e759. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2589-7500(21)00145-x

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10 months ago

Justina Oyiboke

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Tinsae Berhe

RE: Discussion – Week 6 response #1

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10 months ago

Charmagne Yokoyama

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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RESPONSE #3 YokoyamaC

Hi Justina,

I LOVED your detailed response and effort with this posting, thank you for going into specifics about EPIC and your current EHR challenges. You have done a terrific job for this assignment. I worked with EPIC for a few years when I was working in Hawaii, and out of all the healthcare computer programs I have used – EPIC has been my favorite.

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The words you wrote in your posting REALLY resonated with my nursing soul. I had a “wow” moment reading these sentences: “The primary goal of EHR-generated documentation is to support care delivery as efficiently as possible while retaining the humanistic elements of the record, but computers are just tools. Checkboxes and drop-down menu shortcuts perpetuate repetitive and sometimes incorrect information because of documentation requirements”. Those words were awesome because you described it so well, and you are right – computers are just tools. Yanamadala et al., (2016) also mentioned when EHR began, it was meant to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare organizations. Our federal government supported this concept and created the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act to increase the number of EHR’s used.

We have highly educated patients now because everyone has access to the internet, and I agree with you concerning “they may attain information that can harm their health”. We have an entirely new educated patient who will research specific symptoms, a disease process, and the medicine they are currently taking or the medicine they want to take. Your example of a physician instructing an obese patient to lose weight, and the patient finds weight-loss pills on the internet is a terrific example. My younger sisters best friend had a heart attack at the young age of 36. The heart attack was directly related to weight loss pills she was taking, attempting to solve her weight problem with pills. Pills that were prescribed for other family members and pills she had researched and found over the counter on her own. She is lucky to be alive today and has worked hard with diet and exercise to drop the unnecessary weight.

As Tan & Goonawardene, (2017) explained, in health care, the rapid proliferation of health information on the Internet has resulted in more patients turning to the Internet as their first source of health information and acquiring knowledge on their health conditions before seeking a professional diagnosis. Patients are feeling more empowered and are more inclined toward being involved in their health and health decision making. This may thus change the way in which patients interact with and participate in consultations with their physicians and how they feel about their relationship with their physicians (para.1). Thanks again for a great posting Justina! Kind regards, Char

References

Tan, S. S., & Goonawardene, N. (2017). Internet Health Information Seeking and the Patient-Physician Relationship: A Systematic Review. Journal of medical Internet research, 19(1), e9. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.5729

Yanamadala, S., Morrison, D., Curtin, C., McDonald, K., & Hernandez-Boussard, T. (2016). Electronic Health Records and Quality of Care: An Observational Study Modeling Impact on Mortality, Readmissions, and Complications. Medicine, 95(19), e3332. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000003332

10 months ago

Sarah Simpson

RE: Discussion – Week 6- reply to Justine Oyiboke

COLLAPSE

Hello Justine! Very nice and detailed post!

I agree with addition of Telehealth as being one of the most promising trends we can use today in health care. Not only has it been convenient for both patient and physicians, but it has given access to extra medical help in medical emergencies, often called “real-time telehealth.” The option for health care providers to get help at the bedside with the touch of a button. (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017).I have seen this used often in my rural emergency department. We do not always have the access to the resource we need promptly, this helps. A side that can be difficult with Telehealth is if it will apply as an option for medical reimbursement for patients, through CoVid this has been waived due to the need for Telehealth services. The future will only tell us if it will remain this way (Author, G.,2020).

References

Author, G. (2020). Top security & compliance risks in telehealth. Los Vegas: Newstex. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/blogs-podcasts-websites/top-security-amp-compliance-risks-telehealth/docview/2462225070/se-2?accountid=14872

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

10 months ago

Eucharia Okolo

RE: Discussion – Week 6

COLLAPSE

Hi Justina,

Good post Tina, I agree that the ability for nurses and other health care providers to collaborate on patient care more quickly and it facilitates easy access to their medical Information . With telehealth technology ,it can help patient better manage chronic condition, such as hearth failure, respiratory disease and diabetes, by minimizing trips to the doctor and better monitoring symptom to reduce hospitalization ((Gagnon, 2020). Telehealth will change the way nurses interact with patient and other members of interdisciplinary care team . It will expand competencies in informatics and IT. Some nurses find telenursing the optima of the nursing Professional : Opportunities to spend unlimited time talking , teaching , assessing and partnering with patient as they journey to the goal of maximum wellness (Martich, 2017).

References

Martich, D. (2017). Telehealth nursing : tools and strategies for optimal patient care. Springer Publishing Compan

10 months ago

Tina Haslett

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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Hello Justina!

I agree that electronic health records (EHRs) have contributed to improved patient outcomes especially with the ability to provide greater continuity of care. Our clinic has decided to transition from AthenaHealth to Epic and I believe it will improve patient outcomes. One key factor that AthenaHealth lacks is a user friendly patient portal. According to Griffin et. al. (2016), patients that utilize the patient portal and more involved in their care and have a higher rate of compliance. One feature that I would like to see embedded in EHR software is the ability to know instantly if a patient’s insurance will cover a prescribed medication and having the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) available while prescribing narcotics. All providers are required to check the PDMP prior to prescribing narcotics (HealthIT.gov, 2020). Having these shortcuts in an EHR would help increase productivity by reducing time spent on logging into separate websites to input information for the PDMP and reducing medication compliance due to cost of medications. Thanks for the great post!

References

Griffin, A., Skinner, A., Thornhill, J., & Weinberger, M. (2016). Patient Portals: Who uses them? What features do they use? And do they reduce hospital readmissions?. Applied clinical informatics, 7(2), 489–501. https://doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2016-01-RA-0003

HealthIT.gov. (2020). Connecting for impact: Linking potential prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) to patient care using Health IT. Retrieved January 8, 2022, from https://www.healthit.gov/topic/health-it-health-care-settings/connecting-impact-linking-potential-prescription-drug-0

10 months ago

CHIOMA EDEH

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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One of the general healthcare technology trends I have observed during practice is an increasing reliance on electronic health records. Electronic health records (EHRs) are an alternative and supplementary tool to traditional paper records in most healthcare institutions today. The data collection process creates room for patients to participate actively in various stages of the care process. Traditional data collection methods consider the patient a passive participant responsible for providing specific data, and only upon prompting by a healthcare professional (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). Although traditional approaches ensured that healthcare practitioners receive the exact type of information they require from patients, they also negated a patient’s ability to volunteer information, preemptively collect data, and register the data into a database for the healthcare professionals to use.

However, the introduction of devices such as smartwatches has made it possible for patients to record their health information and share it with healthcare practitioners when seeking medical aid as part of their health history (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). The digitization of health records has also made it possible for practitioners to share patient information and help, especially in instances where a patient is beyond the geographical location of the healthcare facility with their medical history files. Sharing information reduces the chances of wrong diagnoses and incorrect assumptions regarding appropriate patient care for particular patients.

Nonetheless, although the use of digital medical records does improve the provision of healthcare, it also creates a risk in the form of information security. The possibility of sharing information with different individuals compromises the ability of health care practitioners to maintain privacy and confidentiality (The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (HHS ONC), 2015). Therefore, the actualization of the approach does require the creation of security measures. The security measures may exist as access protocols or the application of specific hardware tools, such as keycards, to regulate authorization and track access.

One advantage the digitization of patient records offers is physical space reduction. Digital records only require specific hardware, which exists in small components or virtual storage in the Cloud. Healthcare practitioners and patients with access to the records can print the documents whenever necessary after downloading them through the internet. However, digital records also create the risk of hacking, whereby unauthorized individuals can use illegal techniques to access the patients’ files and use them to harm patients, practitioners, or healthcare institutions (HHS ONC, 2015). Any unauthorized access to patient information creates a legal issue for the healthcare institution and exposes it to suits because of breach of confidentiality (Baker & Hostetler LLP, 2012; HIPAA Journal, 2021). Healthcare institutions and professionals thus have to maintain vigilance on the security of digitized patient records.

The most promising healthcare technology trend is smartwatches to create and record patient information. Although patients own and undertake storage of the information, sharing the information with healthcare institutions as part of a regular examination of medical history would increase the accuracy of interventions. The collaborative effort would also reduce the burden of healthcare practitioners and empower patients to take charge of their health (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). Further, patients would access information on changes happening to their bodies through the technology. Currently, the technology is a salient means for users to receive notifications from their cell phones without touching the cell phones. The method is convenient, especially when undertaking activities that make using a cell phone distracting. However, increased use of the devices for health purposes would improve awareness of the user’s health status. Using the devices would improve patient outcomes and convenience while ensuring medical professionals have up-to-date information about patient information, including the heart rate and sleeping patterns, among others.

References

Baker & Hostetler LLP. (2012, December 6). State fines hospital for patient confidentiality breach; requires HIPAA training for executives. Lexology; Law Business Research. https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=f99b65dd-dbfa-4d54-b1a2-dd05179cdac1

HIPAA Journal. (2021). The most common HIPAA violations you should be aware of. HIPAA Journal. https://www.hipaajournal.com/common-hipaa-violations/

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (HHS ONC). (2015). Guide to privacy and security of electronic health information (pp. 1–61). HealthIT.gov. https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/privacy/privacy-and-security-guide.pdf

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10 months ago

Tokunbo Allen

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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Hello Chioma

The discussion provides a very insightful examination of Electronic Health Records’ use by nurses and other health care professionals. The post offers a comprehensive picture of the rising need for more sophisticated electronic health records systems that saves time for the care providers when handling particular issues regarding their patients. The geniality of contextualizing the technological advancement to the novel Covid-19 pandemic is plausible. Accessibility of healthcare to the populations is one of the considerations that any viable healthcare advancements should consider for a desirable healthcare outcome and improving the populations healthcare managements is one of these desirable outcomes (Wade, 2018). With the development of the Telehealth and eVisits there has been an advancement in trying to compliment rural healthcare for the masses as they can access the best of healthcare attentions from their various regions (Rauv, 2017). Despite this desirable outcomes of technological advancements, there is a need to understand that the most sophisticated technological adoption needs a progressive realization lest we leave a section of health care clients, which are the majority, behind.

References

Rauv, S. (2017, June 14). The Impact of Technology in Healthcare: Trends and Examples | elcom. https://www.elcom.com.au/resources/blog/the-impact-of-technology-in- healthcare-trends-benefits-examples

Wade, E. (2018, June 26). How Technology Influences Population Health Management. Barton Associates (En-US). https://www.bartonassociates.com/blog/how-technology-influences- population-health-management

10 months ago

Cheryl Wagner WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER

RE: Discussion – Week 6

COLLAPSE

Great informational post, Chioma,

And nice discussion points! I have to admit, I am starting to get pretty worried about the state of our electronic health records (EHRs) – and I always call them electronic health records because the use of the term electronic medical records seems to move things under the purview of physicians, which is not always in the best interest of nurses and other health care workers.

That is what worries me – and I am not talking out of my hat. Literally the research is starting to show this.

What do you think? Are things any better in your neck of the woods?

Nice work!

Dr. Cheryl

10 months ago

Olga Tsoy

RE: Discussion – Week 6-Main Post

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Healthcare technology trends and potential challenges

New technological advances rushed into healthcare and facilitated change on all levels. The trend related to data is the transitioning from paper charting to electronic medical records (EMR). The shift began in 2004 and was commenced by president George Bush; he believed this could improve quality of care, control the cost, and avoid medical mistakes (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). Other trends in my organization are smart pumps, virtual robot sitters, intelligent vital sign machines with real-time charting capabilities, digital medication storage Omnicell, medication scanning systems. These innovative devices achieve common goals: better healthcare, better health, lower healthcare cost, and better clinical decision-making (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017).

Potential benefit and one potential risk associated with data safety, legislation, and patient care for the technologies

The simple advantages of using electronic health records for nurses in our unit are that we do not have to deal with poor handwriting, delayed orders lost paper orders/faxes, patients can receive needed medications without delays. Continuation of care is still a concern for patients, healthcare providers, specialists, and others. EHR facilitates care coordination, including managing medical data and distributing critical health information to authorized providers (HealthIT.gov.,2019). Despite EHR having many advantages, it also comes with disadvantages; the standardized terminology for nursing practice still requires some work to define nursing concepts in the EHR. Since the launch of EMR, the $3 million reductions in medical records expenses were recorded as a by-product of switching paperless (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017).

In my opinion, the most impactful technology trend in nursing is the combination of technologies such as medication bar code scanning and EHR; this allows a double, triple check of medications before administration with the potential to avoid dangerous medication errors.

Using EHR allowed a 13% reduction in negative drug responses through digital doctors order entry; the system could scan new orders for any existent drug interactions, patients allergies, and decreased chances for adverse medication reactions; this porcess better the patient care outcome (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017).

Reference:

HealthIT.gov. (2019). Improve Care Coordination https://www.healthit.gov/topic/health-it-and-health-information-exchange-basics/improve-care-coordination

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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10 months ago

Cheryl Wagner WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER

RE: Discussion – Week 6-Main Post

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Great post, Olga,

with great references to support your discussion points – although remember you need 3 references in your initial posts for consideration of full points. Just add an addendum to your work – noting that it is an update and you can still get credit.

Anyway, I was very intrigued by the article by Swab and Ciotti (2010) because they are not nurses and one is actually an information technology (IT) person, so I figured, well, they might have some good ideas. Just goes to show you, there is so much information out there, you never can have too much and you are better off finding it in all kinds of different places.

These two guys recommended involving all staff in the costs of any electronic health record systems – the other guy is the chief financial officer of an institution – but involve them from the very beginning. First I thought, well, why would staff want to know that? But they make the points that you do not want to have the physicians, nurses, lab techs, etc., completely sold on a system that is the Cadillac version and way out of your price range, because then if you cannot afford it, everyone will be angry you had them look at it to begin with.

They also noted that, when getting your pricing done, be sure to ask about travel costs – many vendors charge the organization for any and all of their travel – and tuition / training costs – many vendors charge thousands of dollars per attendee to train staff on the system. There were other hidden costs too. But overall, these guys really seemed to have some good pointers.

What do you think?

Great post!

Dr. Cheryl

References

Swab, J., & Ciotti, V. (2010). What to consider when purchasing an EHR system. Healthcare Financial Management, 64(5), 38-41.

10 months ago

Olga Tsoy

RE: Discussion – Week 6-Main Post Amendment to main post

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Another point I would like to mention is technology in pediatric pain management and assessment. It has been noted in Rao-Gupta et al. (2017) article the challenges pediatric nurses encounter during pain management and setting realistic expectations and perceptions. The informatics team implemented an interactive patient care technology tool to start a conversation about pain perception and expectations. This intervention aid in improved two-way communication between patient/family and staff as well as enhanced family/patient participation in pain treatment plans, which in turn improved overall hospitalization experience (Rao-Gupta et al., 2018).

Reference:

Rao-Gupta, S., Kruger, D., Leak, L. D., Tieman, L. A., & Manworren, R. C. (2018). Leveraging interactive patient care technology to improve pain management

engagement. Pain Management Nursing, 19(3), 212–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmn.2017.11.002

10 months ago

Sarah Simpson

RE: Discussion – Week 6-Main Post- reply to Olga Tsoy

COLLAPSE

Hello Olga! nice post!

Although I do agree that electronic health records(EHR) have made our lives easier, patient care is one aspect that becomes a concern. Since the increased use of EHRs, patient care has decreased while time spent documenting has increased. Physicians and nurses often feel the need to decrease their patient care due to the need to start documenting their notes and assessments, the complexity of a patient can increase documentation purposes for health care providers (Momenipour & Pennathur, 2019). When implementing an EHR into a system, an organization needs to realize the organization that the implementation will bring for all providers involved. All health care providers involved need to be able to adapt to the system and work with the system to ensure timely patient care and coordination (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017).

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). The electronic health record and clinical informatics (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Momenipour, A., & Pennathur, P. R. (2019). Balancing documentation and direct patient care activities: A study of a mature electronic health record system. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 72, 338–346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2019.06.012

10 months ago

Josephine Smith

RE: Discussion – Week 6-Main Post Response 1

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Hi Olga, great post. I work in a facility that uses paper charts now and researching all the benefits of electronic medical records makes me understand why a lot of institutions are transitioning from paper charts. I know you mentioned double safety when it comes to prescribing and administering medications, and I also found out the records can alert a doctor if they are prescribing medication that did not work for you in the past, as well as drug interactions. (Helathit.gov, 2017). As great as this sounds, one great challenge that comes with electronic records is cyber-attacks. Due to multiple institutions having access to records, it has become difficult to implement strict laws for privacy and for these laws to be implemented, so facilities can incur fines as a result of privacy violations if systems are not secure. (Shah, 2020)

Healthit.gov. (2017, September 15). Information Technology in Health Care: The Next Consumer Revolution. https://www.healthit.gov/topic/health-it-and-health-information-exchange-basics/benefits-health-it

Shah, M., Khan A. (2020). Secondary use of electronic health record: Opportunities and challenges. IEE Access. 10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3011099

10 months ago

Cynthia Kadiri

RE: Discussion – Week 6-Main Post

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Hello Olga

reading your post brings lots of connection , we know electronic Health Record is transfer of patient record to a digital version , it enables providers access to records when needed in a timely fashion. EHR improves patient care and efficiency , using the bar code for medication administration the nurse spends less time sorting through the medication cart for medications, nurses safely administers the right medication and the right dose to the right patient.

In addition to medication administration EHR can be used to make health care decision for the patient, it contains lab reports medication list, and information from all clinicians involved in the care of the patient (Health IT) with all these in a secure environment providers are able to make informed decisions to effectively diagnose, treat and reduce medication errors

Reference

Health IT.gov (2018c) what is electronic health record (EHR) Retrieved from

https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what -electronic-health-record-ehr

10 months ago

Marco Paolo Delmonte

RE: Discussion – Week 6-Main Post

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10 months ago

ISATU JOHNSON

Discussion Week # 6 Initial Response

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Healthcare Technology
What is health care technology? According to the World Health Organization, health technology is described as “the use of structured knowledge and skills in the form of equipment, medications, vaccinations, procedures, and systems developed to solve a health problem and improve people’s quality of life.” Healthcare technology refers to any IT tools or software that is intended to increase hospital and administrative productivity, provide new insights into medicines and treatments, or improve the overall quality of care provided (Built In, 2021).
Due to advancements in technology in healthcare service, for patient care outcomes and quality care, we have fully transitioned to Electronic Health Records (EHR). The organization was using Electronic Medical Records (EMR) before the new management came in and changed it to EPIC. The EPIC is the new EHR we’re now utilizing, and it’s incredibly user-friendly and configurable to meet the demands of healthcare professionals. I worked in a correctional setting, and with the use of EPIC, electronic health records (EHRs), all members of the team have instant access to the most up-to-date information that enables more coordinated, patient-centered treatment. Even a patient may access their own data and see a year’s worth of lab results, which can inspire them to take their prescriptions and maintain the lifestyle adjustments that would improve their wellbeing (HealthIT.gov., 2019). It also makes it easier for patients to continue receiving care after being discharged from the hospital or from jail. The big opportunity is that they can access their medical records from anywhere at any time after they are released. Sometimes, it is restricted; it is merely a summary of the care provided and received and does not include laboratory or diagnostic results. Limiting it in this way, I believe, will secure medical information Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends.

Potential challenges or risks associated with EPIC Electronic Health Record
One potential challenges or risk associated with EHR is the technical ability. This is a big challenge because the ability of a computer to retrieve and communicate data throughout healthcare is affected by its age and other circumstances, such as the location of the practice. It may be more difficult to connect to the system and the Internet if the system is located in a rural area rather than an urban area. . The price of usage might also be a challenge because EHRs and other advances in health information technology can be costly to deploy and use. Finding the funds to invest in training, support, and the physical infrastructure itself, especially for smaller practices, can be a challenge (Kressly, 2021).
A potential benefit and potential risk associated with data safety, legislation, and patient care for EHR.
A potential benefit of EHR associated with data safety, legislation and patient care is by improving all aspects of patient care, including safety, efficacy, patient-centeredness, communication, education, timeliness, efficiency, and equity, to provide better health care through encouraging people to live healthier lifestyles, such as increasing physical exercise, improving nutrition, avoiding behavioral hazards, and using preventative care more widely. Also, to improved efficiency and lower health-care costs through encouraging preventative medicine and better coordination of services, as well as avoiding waste and unnecessary tests. By also integrating patient data from many sources improves clinical decision-making (HealthIT.gov., 2019).
Potential challenges or risks associated with the EPIC Electronic Health Record
The technical ability is one potential challenge or risk associated with EHR.This is a big challenge because the ability of a computer to retrieve and communicate data throughout healthcare is affected by its age and other circumstances, such as the location of the practice. It may be more difficult to connect to the system and the internet if the system is located in a rural area rather than an urban area. The price of usage might also be a challenge because EHRs and other advances in health information technology can be costly to deploy and use. Finding the funds to invest in training, support, and the physical infrastructure itself, especially for smaller practices, can be a challenge (Kressly, 2021).
A potential benefit and potential risk associated with data safety, legislation, and patient care for EHR.
A potential benefit of EHR associated with data safety, legislation, and patient care is that it improves all aspects of patient care, including safety, efficacy, patient-centeredness, communication, education, timeliness, efficiency, and equity, to provide better health care through encouraging people to live healthier lifestyles, such as increasing physical exercise, improving nutrition, avoiding behavioral hazards, and using preventative care more widely. Also, to improve efficiency and lower healthcare costs through encouraging preventative medicine and better coordination of services, as well as avoiding waste and unnecessary tests. Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends Integrating patient data from many sources also improves clinical decision-making (HealthIT.gov., 2019).
The potential risk associated with data safety, legislation, and patient care is the concern about privacy. Some healthcare practitioners and patients may be concerned about medical privacy when using EHRs, according to USF Health. Information loss because of a natural disaster and cyber hacking are two common issues. Ask inquiries about how stringent your new system’s privacy will be before implementing EHRs (Kressly, 2021).

Healthcare Technologies with the greatest potential for influencing healthcare technology in nursing practice
The healthcare technology that I think is impacting healthcare technology in nursing practice is telemedicine/telehealth, because there are still many rural areas around the world where healthcare providers are in short supply. Video conferencing is a significant advantage of digital technology. Telehealth is not only cost-effective, but it can also assist in determining who requires emergency attention. Psychiatrists now frequently use telemedicine to provide therapy to patients who are unable to physically visit their clinic. Telecommunications are often used to deliver education and training to healthcare staff in rural locations (Admin, 2021).
Telemedicine/Telehealth will contribute to improvements in patient care outcomes, efficiencies, or data management because it allows two-way, real-time contact between a patient and a healthcare provider at a remote location. Initially, the goal of telemedicine providers was to treat and cater to patients who lived in rural areas where medical facilities were scarce. While it is still utilized to address these issues, it is now also being employed as a patient-friendly tool. A patient can communicate with a practitioner in real time about his or her symptoms, medical difficulties, and more using the platform. Patients will be able to receive diagnoses, learn about treatment choices, and obtain a prescription from the convenience of their own homes. And it isn’t just restricted to clinical services. Telehealth includes nonclinical services such as provider training, continuing medical education, and administrative meetings (Admin, 2021).
One potential benefit of using big data as part of a clinical system
The benefit of using big data as part of a clinical system is to keep healthy patients. Keeping patients healthy and assisting them in avoiding illnesses and disorders should always be a top focus. Checking on high-risk patients and guaranteeing a more effective, personalized treatment approach can therefore be made easier, because the construction of patient-centric care programs is more difficult without data. Big data also helps with a better understanding of patient cohorts at higher risk of sickness, allowing for a more proactive approach to disease prevention. Patients can be educated, informed, and motivated to take charge of their own health using big data analytics (Walter, 2019).

References
Built In. (2021). Healthcare Technology. Retrieved December 31, 2021, from https://builtin.com/healthcare-technology
Kressly, S. (2021, April 16). 6 common challenges in EHR implementation. Office Practicum. Retrieved December 31, 2021, from https://www.officepracticum.com/blog/6-common-challenges-in-ehr-implementation
HealthIT.gov. (2019, May 16). What are the advantages of Electronic Health Records? Retrieved December 31, 2021, from https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-are-advantages-electronic-health-records
Admin. (2021, November 18). Importance of telemedicine for the patients: Manhattan Medical Arts. Primary Care and Multi-Specialty Practice Located in Manhattan, NY. Retrieved December 31, 2021, from https://manhattanmedicalarts.com/blog/2021/03/24/importance-of-telemedicine-for-the-patients/
Walter, C. (2019). Top benefits of big data analytics in healthcare industry. Retrieved December 31, 2021, from https://www.drcatalyst.com/top-benefits-of-big-data-analytics-in-healthcare-industry

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10 months ago

Justina Oyiboke

RE: Discussion Week # 6 Initial Response

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10 months ago

Cheryl Wagner WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER

RE: Discussion Week # 6 Initial Response

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Skiba, D. 2017). Evaluation tools to appraise social media and mobile

10 months ago

ISATU JOHNSON

Discussion week 6

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Good Evening Professor,
Thanks for your response. I am fortunate to work in two hospitals that having different protocol or ways of doing things. One of the hospitals uses electronic method while the other doesn’t. As a result I am familiar with electronic documents and yes there are certain things that we check off as u mentioned and also give a brief documentation on patient care. PIE and DAP documentation is the method used to document on progress note. These two focus on Assessment Intervention and outcomes.

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10 months ago

Tokunbo Allen

RE: Discussion Week # 6 Initial Response

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Hello Isatu

Response #2

What is the term “healthcare technology?” Health technology is defined by the World Health Organization as “the use of organized knowledge and skills in the form of equipment, pharmaceuticals, immunizations, procedures, and systems established to solve a health problem and improve people’s quality of life.” Technology in the healthcare sector includes any IT tools or software that are designed to improve hospital and administrative productivity, bring new insights into medicines and treatments, or improve the overall quality of care provided (Built In, 2021). Due to technological improvements in healthcare, we have completely migrated to electronic health records in order to improve patient outcomes and quality of care (EHR). Before the new administration took over and switched to EPIC, the organization was using Electronic Medical Records (EMR). As of right now, we’re using EPIC as our new EHR, and it’s highly user-friendly and customizable to match the needs of healthcare professionals. All members of the team have rapid access to the most up-to-date information that enables more coordinated, patient-centered treatment with EPIC, electronic health records (EHRs). Access to a year’s worth of lab results from a patient’s own data can encourage them to take their prescribed medication and make lifestyle changes that will enhance their health (HealthIT.gov., 2019). After being released from a hospital or jail, patients are able to continue getting care more easily thanks to the new system. After patients are released, individuals have the ability to access their medical records from any location at any time. Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends When it’s limited, it doesn’t include results from tests or labs; it’s just a synopsis of what happened. Medical data can be more safely protected if it is restricted in this way.

Reference

Adil, M. (2021, December 28). Advantages and Disadvantages of Medical Technology in Healthcare. Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://adilblogger.com/advantages-disadvantages-medical-technology/.

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4t ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

applic tions. Informatics, 4(3), 32–40.

Skiba, D. 2017). Evaluation tools to appraise social media and mobile

10 months ago

Tinsae Berhe

RE: Discussion – Week 6

COLLAPSE

Healthcare Information Technology Trends

Healthcare information technology trends have made it easier for data to be stored, transmitted, collected, and retrieved.

Technology trends for data and information in nursing practice and healthcare delivery

In nursing practice, the use of advanced Electronic Health Records (EHR) made a significant difference in how care is delivered and has promoted patient safety. Scanning patients at the bedside for medication administration or any other procedure, identifying patients’ demographics, allergies, and providing guideline-based care are components in the EHR that allow nurses to provide safe patient care.

Challenges and risks inherent in healthcare technology

One challenge in healthcare technology is the use of different EHR software systems among different organizations. This makes it harder for healthcare providers to access patient data; instead, they wait on the paper form to be sent from one organization to another. Moreover, organizations still do not have the latest healthcare information technology system, which adds another challenge to providing quality and cost-effective care.

EHR solutions that are interoperable across organizations can significantly reduce the cost and complication of IT infrastructure by creating complete EHR visibility between providers (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2018).

Healthcare technology benefits and risks for data safety, legislation, and patient care

As EHR evolved and its usage has been adopted by many organizations throughout the U.S. and worldwide. The use of healthcare technology has benefited providers to increase their capabilities, improved efficiencies, made patient access more accessible, and has lowered healthcare costs. Related concerns or risks in healthcare technology would be the accessibility of patient data by hackers and unauthorized persons. Besides the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Accountability rule (HIPAA), other states have adopted regulations in place related to patient confidentiality (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2018). Patient privacy and security are critical to increasing healthcare efficiency.

Healthcare technology impact on patient outcomes, efficiencies, and data management

Healthcare technology impacts patient outcomes on many levels and has enabled care to be delivered anywhere and everywhere. Healthcare technology helps manage patients’ health data in a more organized way and has reduced opportunities for human errors. As the technology advancement continues, healthcare providers are updating services by adapting to the evolving digital services to increase their capacities and engage with patients more efficiently.

Research on the application of clinical systems to improve outcomes and efficiencies

The trending healthcare technology, such as mobile devices, has allowed patients to engage with their healthcare providers in real-time. It has also helped providers to achieve better healthcare outcomes and, benefited organizations to perform cost-effective care for the populations they serve. According to Skiba, D. (2017), In a connected care environment, more citizens engage in their health care through mobile apps and social media tools.

Nurses play a significant role throughout the application of telehealth. The use of telehealth is paving the way for the future where clinicians can provide treatments from anywhere and everywhere without making patients wait for more extended appointments. The use of mobile apps such as Applewatch made it possible for patients’ data to be sent to the physician directly. The use of these tools has a significant impact on improving patient outcomes and efficiencies.

References

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4t ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

applic tions. Informatics, 4(3), 32–40.

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10 months ago

Cheryl Wagner WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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Great informational post, Tinsae,

And nice discussion points! I have been watching the progression of the electronic health record, patient medication bar coding and interdisciplinary rounding trends with great interest, as those do seem promising. It is good to be able to collaborate in the care of patients, as long as we do not allow one profession to be dictating the actions of the other. So far, in my humble opinion, the multidisciplinary teams seem to be a misnomer – in our area they are called that, but they are really physician led teams. For example, we are not allowed to use nursing terms like nursing diagnoses in the rounds, because supposedly those terms are too hard for other disciplines to understand. That seems like some non-nurse somewhere is trying to dictate nursing care. That’s a little unsettling.

I have to admit, I am starting to get pretty worried about the state of our current electronic health records (EHRs) – and I always call them electronic health records because the use of the term electronic medical records seems to move things under the purview of physicians, which is not always in the best interest of nurses and other health care workers.

That is what worries me – and I am not talking out of my hat. Literally the research is starting to show this.

What do you think? Are things any better in your neck of the woods?

Nice work!

Dr. Cheryl

10 months ago

Eucharia Okolo

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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Hi Tinsae,

Good post,, I believe that in nursing practice ,the use of advanced Electronic Health Records made a significant difference in how care is delivered and has promoted Patient Safety . Because telehealth nursing can be practiced almost any where, and its enables nurses to connect with patients without lost time spent traveling , registering and waiting ,like it is with traditional appointment and visit . With the use of telehealth platforms nurses can support and educate patient on a specific approach with very clear outcomes .The nursing processes and Scope of practice does not differ with telenursing. (Schlachta-Fairchild, 2008)

Reference

10 months ago

Eucharia Okolo

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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DISSCUSSION

General Health Care Technology Trends

There is doubt that digital Technology for health care has helped health care providers and organizations to operate more effectively and engage with more patients. It has also helped achieve better health care outcomes. The wearable devices will be patient engagement technology. Telemedicine will provide patients with better access to health care services, drive efficiency and revenue. Big data and 5G are going to change the way health care providers collect data, and the way doctors and nurses communicate. Health care Technology will make targeted and personalized care for critical diseases. This advances are intended not only to optimize work flow and improve task efficiency, but also to promote patient safety and reduce stress among workers (Perrigino, 2016).

Describe any potential challenges or risks that may be inherent in the Technology associated with this trend you describe

Technology poses challenges with financial budgets and how hospitals best manage the increased costs of treatment for the patients. Technology improves outcome, but also increases the cost of treatment (Adil, 2021) Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends. The risk of compromised safety and privacy is also one of the challenges associated with this trend in technology. The computer systems can be hacked and the private Information of a patient can be stolen and leaked. Since technology has been manufactured by specialized engineers and computer programmers, if there was a fault or error in technology, it would take some time to be fixed. This thereby delays care, because it requires a computer specialists to fix the error. For example, in my workplace we use Medi-tech and when it malfunctions it takes while to fix. When that happens we switch to manual paper documentation. This form of documentation is time consuming, causing delays in different aspects of nursing the such as passing medications in a timely manner, thereby decreasing the quality of care. Dated technology poses a treat to reliability, yet more advanced technology is more expensive and would require some time for staff to learn and adjust to new techniques.

Describe at least one potential Benefit and one potential risk associated with data safety, Legislation and patient care for Technologies you describe

One data safety benefit is the development of portable devices placed in the patients’ room in the hospital. The patient can click the button and alert nurses and doctors. For instance, calling a code blue can be life saving due to the rapid time provided by technology. One data safety risk is that data be compromised by hackers, violating patients’ rights to privacy. The information that is stored in the computer system, which can be leaked or changed.

One potential benefit of legislation is HIPPA, because it provides patients their right to privacy and autonomy over their personal information. A key mandate of the legislation is keeping patient medical records and information secure and private, particularly when they’re sent electronically from place to place (Simpson, 2002). One potential risk is that legislation can impede on some ethics, such as taking away the rights of individuals who don’t comply with the optional choice of being vaccinated.

One of the benefits that technology has on patients is that they are able to access their medical records anywhere in the world, allowing them to monitor their own labs trend and able to paticipate with their care plan. A risk could be anxiety provoking when faced with detailed records of their health, especially when trying to understand lab values.

The health care technology trends I believe that are most promising is the use of mobile phones and text messages . One of the nursing home I worked as needed, made good use of text messages with their mobile phone, such that I could easily text or send the picture of patient’s labs, and have it be instantly received as an order without wasting time. For example, I had a patient with critically low hemoglobin, and it only took a few minutes to text the doctor and receive an order to give blood without the hassle of calling and waiting for doctor’s call back. This simple technology is very impactful and efficient in the care and management of patients.

References

Adil, M. (2021, December 28). Advantages and Disadvantages of Medical Technology in Healthcare. Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://adilblogger.com/advantages-disadvantages-medical-technology/.

Perrigino, M. B., & Dunford, B. B. (2016). The unique effects of general and specific support in health care technology: An empirical examination of the principle of compatibility. Health Care Management Review, 41(4), 334–343.

Simpson, R. L. (2002, December 1). Eyeing IT trends and challenges: to predict health care technology’s future, look at the industry’s current business environment. Nursing Management, 33(12), 46.

10 months ago

Silvanus Manduku

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Cheryl Wagner WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Sarah Simpson

RE: Discussion – Week 6- Sarah Simpson

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10 months ago

Cheryl Wagner WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER

RE: Discussion – Week 6- Sarah Simpson

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Good points Sarah,

and great discussion information. I think we are advancing by leaps and bounds in the area of technology and health care with things such as telehealth, but for whatever reason, many of the new creations are not really very useful to nurses, IMHO.

Why am I telling you this? Because nurses need to start standing up and voicing their opinions about what is missing in the EHR. They need to have nursing cares added in the systems – things like nursing interventions and nursing outcomes and yes, I will say that dirty word – nursing CARE PLANS. If nurses are not needed to ensure good care of the patient – as currently demonstrable in the EHR – then pretty soon we are expendable.

That is what worries me – and I am not talking out of my hat. Literally the research is starting to show this.

What do you think? Are things any better in your neck of the woods?

Nice work!

Dr. Cheryl

10 months ago

Perkaloah Queeglay-Tarpeh

RE: Discussion – Week 6

COLLAPSE

Healthcare Information Technology Trends

Technological advancements in recent years have led to rapid growth in the amount of health and medical data. Extensive application of technology in health care has seen the adoption of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and telehealth across several health organizations. The EHR enables patient information such as medical history, diagnosis, and lab results to be saved in one repository and accessed by authorized persons (Dykes et al., 2017). This allows doctors to prescribe medications or monitor progress remotely. Telehealth was initially created to offer standard care to underserved and rural patients. However, greater levels of telehealth adoption have now become basic since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2019 (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021). Besides, growing emphases on reducing costs, patient satisfaction, and providing quality and efficient care have also contributed to higher telehealth adoption. Telehealth also ensures patients receive round-the-clock care with minimal compromise of the quality of service given. Additionally, patients can now book appointments and remotely interact with physicians improving health outcomes especially during this pandemic period (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021). The Corona Virus pandemic caused several challenges for the healthcare system in general. This created a rapid change to telehealth models in many backgrounds in both outpatient and inpatient arenas (Breton et al., 2021). To stop and minimize the spread of COVID-19, providers and patients had to rapidly adjust to telehealth models.

Potential Challenges with Telehealth

Telehealth is faced with several regulatory and legal hurdles including large differences in regulations, rules, and practice guidelines. This inconsistency contributes to the current confusion faced by providers engaged in telehealth. According to Breton et al. (2021), some telehealth user interfaces are difficult to maneuver and make the overall adoption of telehealth cumbersome. Also, the struggle to maintain therapeutic connection, restricted patient engagement, and shifts in patients’ expectations present key challenges to the adoption of telehealth.

Potential Benefit and Potential Risk of Telehealth

A potential benefit of telehealth is the positive elements of video consultations that include patients’ comfort as well care givers’ capability to observe patients, their facial expressions, and their home environments. The fact that most patients are ordinarily in the comfort of their homes during telehealth sessions appears to supplement the benefits of physicians’ capability to observe patients in their home backgrounds (Breton et al., 2021). Additionally, observing patients’ facial expressions is perceived to enhance communication and influence the maintenance or development of positive therapeutic connections.

The potential danger linked with data security, legislation, and patient care is the privacy issue. Since there is no broad regulation to monitor telehealth technologies that are not under HIPAA, telecommunication organizations can collect health-linked information at their discretion (Bassan, 2020). Some physicians have also raised concerns about the absence of direct human contact, which limits the formation of a therapeutic relationship.

Future Healthcare Technologies

Future trends that are bound to shape the healthcare sector include telemedicine, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, cloud-based storage systems. In particular, the use of internet-enabled devices such as connected inhalers, wearable, smart beds, EKG monitors among other gadgets. Patient monitoring is now easier as the gadgets collect crucial data relating to glucose, blood, or pressure levels (Poghosyan & Carthon, 2017). In the future, IOMT can be used in caring for the aged via interventions such as lifestyle monitoring and weight control. With the elderly population expected to surge by 2050, there is a need to have gadgets that monitor and take care of elderly patients remotely. Besides, health organizations can give their employees radio frequency tags to effectively monitor staff activity.

References

Bassan, S. (2020). Data privacy considerations for Telehealth consumers amid COVID-19. Journal of Law and the Biosciences, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/jlb/lsaa075

Breton, M., Sullivan, E. E., Deville-Stoetzel, N., McKinstry, D., DePuccio, M., Sriha, A., Deslauriers, V., Dong, A., & McAlearney, A. S. (2021). undefined. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-505725/v1

Gajarawala, S. N., & Pelkowski, J. N. (2021). Telehealth benefits and barriers. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 17(2), 218-221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013

Poghosyan, L., & Carthon, J. M. (2017). The untapped potential of the nurse practitioner workforce in reducing health disparities. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 18(2), 84-94. https://doi.org/10.1177/1527154417721189

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10 months ago

Cheryl Wagner WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Kayla Joyce

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Cheryl Wagner WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Josephine Smith

RE: Discussion – Week 6 Response #2

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10 months ago

Cynthia Kadiri

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Eucharia Okolo

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Kealiiaumoku Klein

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Cheryl Wagner WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Marco Paolo Delmonte

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Ashley Brimhall

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Hannah Brosnahan

Initial Discussion – Week 6

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Initial Discussion

A healthcare technology trend that has been evolving on the floor I work on is the use of virtual nurses to aid in admissions, discharges, cosigns, lab orders, calling consults, and many other nursing-related activities. The virtual medical surgical nurse has access to a multitude of technologies including high-resolution cameras and flat-screen televisions in each patient room, computer monitors and microphones at the remote location, and different secure communication devices to contact on-site healthcare physicians and staff (Schuelke, et al, 2019). The virtual nurse is an expert in their patient population, which on my floor is a step-down cardiac unit that handles pre and post-cardiac surgery and procedure patients as well as any patient on a cardiac drip.

Potential Challenges

The virtual nurse was integrated into my unit a year and a half ago when the first COVID-19 wave began and has been continuously evolving ever since. With the use of this new technology, there have been issues and solutions that have developed throughout the implementation process including connection issues, printing, and faxing issues. To overcome these challenges backup plans are utilized to maintain a connection to the healthcare team and patients including a landline. Evaluating the different applications that our virtual nurses use is important to maintain efficiency and patient safety (Skiba, 2017). This virtual nurse model will also aid in getting patients out of the Emergency Department hallways and into beds as we can admit and discharge patients safely and with efficiency Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends.

Potential Benefits and Risks

The benefits of implementing a virtual nursing unit include increasing the efficiency of in-person nursing care by giving longer tasks, such as discharge instructions, to the virtual nurse. Nurses are notoriously distracted by multiple tasks a day and are able to offload some of those tasks to other qualified nurses. This integration of virtual nurses is a revolutionary, novel, and innovative model for nursing care, but with new initiatives there are risks. The ability to have a virtual nursing unit working properly requires a strong, secure wireless connection, which has the potential for security breaches (Abbott & Shaw, 2016). Another potential risk for virtual nurses is to invade the privacy of the patient when entering their room virtually. This can be aided by asking the patient if they can turn their camera on prior to turning on the camera on the virtual nurse’s side.

Most Promising Healthcare Trends

I may be biased but working in the virtual medical surgical nurse role is the most promising healthcare technology trend to me. There are so many aspects to this virtual unit that has so much potential and is currently improving patient outcomes and care. Being able to call on a nurse with advanced knowledge of a unit’s specific patient population is helpful in diagnosing potential issues of whom to call for what and why especially for newer nurses who may feel overwhelmed. Increasing efficiency, patient satisfaction and potentially decreasing nurse burnout are all being addressed with the implementation of virtual nurses.

References

Abbott, M.B., Shaw, P., (August 15, 2016) “Virtual Nursing Avatars: Nurse Roles and Evolving Concepts of Care” OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol. 21, No. 3.

DOI: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol21No03PPT39.05.

Schuelke, Sue, PhD, RN-BC, Aurit, Sarah, Connot, Nancy, Denney, Shannon & MSN, RN. (2019). Virtual Nursing: The New Reality in Quality Care. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 43, 322-328. https://doi.org/10.1097/NAQ.0000000000000376.

Skiba, D. (2017). Evaluation tools to appraise social media and mobile applications. Informatics, 4(3), 32-40.

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10 months ago

Klara Handrock

RE: Initial Discussion – Week 6

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Hannah-

Thank you for your thought provoking post. I felt initial resistance to the thought of virtual nursing. That reaction directed me to dive into why I had that reaction, and learn more bout this growing trend.

I had an initial block, as I made the assumption that this translated to moving the nurse from the bedside. As you already know, this is not the case. With short staffing, burnout, and an increased percentage of novice nurses, virtual nursing in an innovative workaround. This trend allows expert nurses to provide oversight from a remote location. Advanced beginner and novice nurses would be able to reap the benefits of an expert nurse acting as a mentor. The role of the expert virtual nurse would help ensure that patients are getting adequate care, have tailored care plans, and would reduce the risk of potential negative outcomes (Cloyd & Thompson). This also allows expert nurses to contribute to patient care and guide future nursing leaders without having to perform the physical aspects of the job.

EHRs, informatics, and the advancements in healthcare technology make this a possible solution. Novice, advanced beginner, and competent nurse would have more time to provide focused hands-on care. There is an increase in screens with EHRs, which has the potential to take away from the intimate connection of being fully connected and engaged. Nurses are knowledge workers, and need to be able to be fully present to address the needs of the patient and their family (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). The reality is there continues to be a nursing shortage, and virtual nursing is a method that supports both the healthcare team, and the patient. The expert nurse can be looking through the data from a remote location, and providing tele consults as needed. This has the potential to reduce overhead costs, decrease inefficiency, increase patient satisfaction, reduce errors and adverse patient outcomes.

References

Cloyd, B., & Thompson, J. (2020). Virtual Care Nursing:: The Wave of the Future. Nurse Leader, 18(2), 147–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2019.12.006

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

10 months ago

Cheryl Wagner WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER

RE: Initial Discussion – Week 6

COLLAPSE

Great post, Hannah,

with great references to support your discussion points! Virtual nursing sounds promising, but of course there is the obvious lack of hands on care. We seem to be moving more and more away from the bedside, preferring to let nurse aides and technicians do those cares. I wonder if eventually the care of the patient – the basic hands on – will completely disappear from nursing fundamentals classes. This is a little scary to me because it moves us more into the area of telling others what to do for the patient – which historically has been a physician area. Not that I disagree – we can definitely delegate well – but I wonder if we should be completely abdicating the actual hands on care?

Anyway, I wrote in an earlier post that I was very intrigued by the article by Swab and Ciotti (2010) because they are not nurses and one is actually an information technology (IT) person, so I figured, well, they might have some good ideas. Just goes to show you, there is so much information out there, you never can have too much and you are better off finding it in all kinds of different places.

These two guys recommended involving all staff in the design of new systems – which seems to be a good idea and one that we hear about frequently – from the very beginning. Were you or any other nurses involved in the design of the virtual nursing systems? If so, what kinds of things did you suggest? If not, do you know if nurses helped to design it?

Great post!

Dr. Cheryl

References

Swab, J., & Ciotti, V. (2010). What to consider when purchasing an EHR system. Healthcare Financial Management, 64(5), 38-41.

10 months ago

Hannah Brosnahan

Initial Discussion – Week 6

COLLAPSE

Thank you for your response, Dr. Cheryl! I am very excited about your questions and perceptions of the virtual nursing model that my healthcare facility implemented a year and a half ago.

Originally, the virtual model was trialed in the COVID-19 units to aid in decreasing exposure to COVID-19 to those who did not need to be in the room. Virtual nurses were then able to co-sign medications in the room, alert, and run codes by completing the code charting for the nurses in the room and many other aspects of nursing that can be completed in the chart. In the beginning, the virtual nurses only consisted of a few of us critical care nurses and a few pharmacists. The format of delivery has evolved from day one from a mobile unit to actual flat screens on the walls of the patient room with a mounted high-definition camera.

The virtual model that we have been working with the past year and a half does not seek to eliminate the bedside nurse, but instead to alleviate the burdens that we are able to alleviate so they can focus on what is truly important for the patient to get well. This model is continuing to evolve with input from us as nurse informaticists and from other important healthcare team members including pharmacists, care managers, social workers, physicians, discharge planners, and many other members.

10 months ago

Stanley Asafor

RE: Initial Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Mariline Corvil

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

ISATU JOHNSON

Discussion week 6 response 2

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Hello Mariline

I really enjoyed reading your post and I believe there are benefits that are associated with EHR. A potential benefit of EHR associated with data safety, legislation, and patient care is that it improves all aspects of patient care, including safety, efficacy, patient-centeredness, communication, education, timeliness, efficiency, and equity, to provide better health care through encouraging people to live healthier lifestyles, such as increasing physical exercise, improving nutrition, avoiding behavioral hazards, and using preventative care more widely.
Also, to improve efficiency and lower healthcare costs through encouraging preventative medicine and better
coordination of services, as well as avoiding waste and unnecessary tests. Integrating patient data from many
sources also improves clinical decision-making (HealthIT.gov., 2019).

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10 months ago

Hannah Brosnahan

Discussion Response 1 – Week 6

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Mariline, thank you for your post! I found your analysis on how your healthcare facility utilizes secure communication systems very interesting and thorough. Maintaining security and privacy is of utmost importance when discussing or transmitting patient health data. Telehealth is the direction that our healthcare system is going and is becoming a standard. You identified some issues that I also identified in my own post on telehealth, which included issues with connection strength (Abbott & Shaw, 2016). When discussing personal patient information, telecommunication methods are very convenient to use, but security and lack of education can impede utilization (Hansen et al, 2018).

If patients do not have the education on how to use certain technologies such as a camera or computer to complete a virtual visit it can be difficult to consistently use that technology. As you mentioned in your post, telehealth is part of a revolution happening in real-time, especially since the emergence of COVID-19. Being able to have a secure form of communication during a pandemic is critical to navigating where to send resources for emergencies. The future of healthcare is rapidly taking a new shape as nursing shortages soar with no end in sight. Innovative solutions need to be identified and implemented, which should include telehealth models of care (Abbot & Shaw, 2016).

References

Abbott, M.B., Shaw, P., (August 15, 2016) “Virtual Nursing Avatars: Nurse Roles and Evolving Concepts of Care” OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol. 21, No. 3. DOI: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol21No03PPT39.05.

Hansen, J. E., Lazow, M., & Hagedorn, P. A. (2018). Reducing interdisciplinary communication failures through secure text messaging: a quality improvement project. Pediatric quality & safety, 3(1). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6132699/.

10 months ago

Josephine Smith

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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The evolution of technology has impacted the delivery of health care. Currently medical services are provided in facilities using machinery and consultation skills. Soon that could all change with development of various technologies. According to Mohsen (2019), provision of healthcare will be influenced by growing artificial intelligence, information technology, high speed internet, remote monitoring technology, 3 D printing and robotics. Advances in data, cloud computing services and machine learning will create artificial intelligence to provide better outcomes at a much cheaper cost. Examples of future technologies include, computer chips inserted in humans to detect abnormalities, surgeries may be done using robots and humans and 3 D printers might be used to print medical equipment and body parts. Another significant change in healthcare is the advancement in telecare and telemedicine. Telecare means providing elderly and disabled patients care at home with the use of sensors. By staying delivering care at home, healthcare will be cheaper. Examples of telecare is collection of data such as heart rate, blood pressure and other vitals at home. (Mohsen, 2019). Other forms of telecare involve the use remote patient monitoring devices in diabetic patients. Continuous glucose monitoring, insulin pumps and automated insulin delivery have all shown to decrease the rates of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Challenges with using such devices are limitations placed by devices and data collection may be skewed due to device placement. (Bryn et al., 2022). Another challenge that comes with the evolution of technology in healthcare is the lack of emotional competencies. Despite the attempt to capture patients’ affections using devices, it still a struggling aspect of technology. (Mbunge & Muchemwa, 2022).

References

Brynn E., Kristen M., Jordan S. & Melissa s., (2022). Practical aspects of diabetes technology use: Continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, and automated insulin delivery systems. Journal of Clinical & Translational Endocrinology.27(100282-). https://doaj.org/article/caabf2f22dcb4b55a33f73d3b4b528a6

Mohsen V., & Sanaz L. (2019). The Future of Healthcare facilities: How Technology and Medical Advances May Shape Hospitals of the Future. Hospital Practices and Research, 4(1),1-11. https://doi.org/10.15171/hpr.2019.01

Mbunge E., Jiyane S., & Muchemwa B. (2022). Towards emotive sensory Web in virtual healthcare: Trends, technologies, challenges and ethical issues. Sensors International, 3.

10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100134

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10 months ago

Cheryl Wagner WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER

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10 months ago

Josephine Smith

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10 months ago

Kealiiaumoku Klein

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10 months ago

Josephine Smith

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10 months ago

Marco Paolo Delmonte

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10 months ago

Ashley Brimhall

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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Technology trends

Healthcare systems have integrated technology in assessment, documentation, and communication for years. Some organizations have evolved rapidly while others have taken longer. Moving from paper charting into EHRs is a strong example. One particular trend that has rapidly evolved is telehealth encounters on a large scale. These services have increased in the prison, home health, and long-term care settings due to the current pandemic. “Primary care physicians are increasingly offering remote care services to their patients through video, telephone and web/mobile-based applications as they recognize the benefits that telehealth can bring such as health cost savings, greater patient compliance with treatment plans, improved communication between health care providers and patients and early identification of abnormalities ” (Robson, 2021, p.1).

Challenges

Several challenges exist in regards to implementing effective telehealth services. Firstly, there are a number of patients who are not receptive to this type of care. Elderly patients may find difficulty in navigating telehealth systems if technical support is not readily available to them. I have personally worked with several mentally ill patients who do not trust technology, or are unable to engage as effectively with staff over a screen due to their disabilities. These systems can be difficult to visualize all necessary clinical information. Depending on the quality of the system, patient presentation is not always as apparent as it may be in person. The clinician is then dependant on the effective assessment and communication of the onsite staff. Some providers may prefer to avoid the risk. As with all technology, there is a large risk of HIPPA violations, and process failure when systems are offline. When systems fail to protect our rights or delay necessary tasks their benefit is often questioned.

Benefits

As noted above, remote services are capable of providing cost-effective visits, improved patient compliance, and better patient/provider communication. Many rural hospitals are without the onsite services of highly trained psychiatrists, psychologists, optometrists, radiologists, etc. These visits increase the reach of specialists to patients in need. A study of telehealth in rural and remote emergency departments determined, “The evidence from this review indicates that emergency telehealth service adoption has resulted in better service use patterns by improving the diagnosis and making first-line management modifiable by bringing in specialist expertise in emergency medicine” (Tsou, 2021, p.24). Additionally, as seen throughout the pandemic, telehealth appointments have offered a connection between patients and their healthcare providers with a reduced risk of infection transmission.

Promising Trends

Technology that provides a connection with needy patients and knowledgeable providers is the most promising trend of all. “Active partnerships among health professionals, patients, and families can improve the quality, safety, and delivery of healthcare (4). Evidence indicates that patient engagement affects self-management, treatment adherence, satisfaction, and healthcare costs (5)” (Dykes et al., 2017, p.807). Providing quality care, no matter the patient or provider’s location will be of the utmost benefit to the healthcare system as a whole.

References

Dykes, P. C., Rozenblum, R., Dalal, A., Massaro, A., Chang, F., Clements, M., Collins, S.

…Bates, D. W. (2017). Prospective evaluation of a multifaceted intervention to improve outcomes in intensive care: The Promoting Respect and Ongoing Safety Through Patient Engagement Communication and Technology Study. Critical Care Medicine, 45(8), e806–e813. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000002449

Robson, N., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2021). Impact of Telehealth Care among Adults Living with Type 2 Diabetes in Primary Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(22). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212171

Tsou, C., Robinson, S., Boyd, J., Jamieson, A., Blakeman, R., Yeung, J., McDonnell, J., Waters, S., Bosich, K., & Hendrie, D. (2021). Effectiveness of Telehealth in Rural and Remote Emergency Departments: Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(11), e30632. https://doi.org/10.2196/30632

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10 months ago

Hannah Brosnahan

Discussion Response 2 – Week 6

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Ashley, thank you for your thorough discussion on the challenges and benefits of telehealth services, especially with patients seeking mental health treatment. During the pandemic, patients requiring mental health services often turned to telehealth services instead of in-person psychiatric care to reduce exposure to the virus. Different platforms for telehealth mental health services include Betterhelp, Black Dog Institute, Headspace, E-couch, and many others (Zhou et al, 2020). The benefits you outlined for utilizing these types of telemedicine platforms are spot on and include cost-effective visits and improved patient compliance (Tsou et al, 2021). To narrow in specifically psychiatric care, the benefit to telehealth services is that it increases access to patients in remote locations, while also decreasing potential COVID-19 exposures. Connecting more people to critical mental health services is a huge benefit to utilizing these communication platforms and is certainly a promising trend in healthcare. Thank you for your post!

References

Tsou, C., Robinson, S., Boyd, J., Jamieson, A., Blakeman, R., Yeung, J., McDonnell, J., Waters, S., Bosich, K., & Hendrie, D. (2021). Effectiveness of Telehealth in Rural and Remote Emergency Departments: Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(11), e30632. https://doi.org/10.2196/30632.

Zhou, X., Snoswell, C. L., Harding, L. E., Bambling, M., Edirippulige, S., Bai, X., & Smith, A. C. (2020). The role of telehealth in reducing the mental health burden from covid-19. Telemedicine and e-Health, 26(4), 377–379. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2020.0068.

10 months ago

Mariline Corvil

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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I agree you mentioned that telehealth services have increased in prison, home health, and long-term care settings due to the current pandemic. Telehealth can bring benefits such as cost savings, patient compliance, and early identification of abnormalities. However, according to Werry (2021), telemedicine-related services have grown in popularity across all sectors before the pandemic. Telemedicine makes healthcare delivery possible. A few years ago, telehealth was integrated into the primary care system nurse practitioner (NP) education curriculum to acquire knowledge and skills in this manner. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic is raging, compelled into a position that justifies the use of Telemedicine as necessary for safe healthcare delivery. In addition, An increasing number of healthcare systems have already adopted video communication in healthcare as a tool for consultation services (e.g., stroke, trauma, mental health screening, surgical second opinions) and post-discharge health maintenance to reduce hospital readmissions. Elderly patients have difficulty responding to video communication about their health through telehealth. Therefore, the efficiency of using telehealth programs for individuals, especially the elderly, who have chronic medical issues, needed more research (Greenwald et al., 2018).

References

Greenwald, P., Stern, M. E., Clark, S., & Sharma, R. (2018). Older adults and technology: in telehealth, they may not be who you think they are. International Journal of Emergency Medicine, 11(1), 1–N.PAG. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-017-0162-7

Werry, B. R. (2021). Telehealth and Social Media Usage Since COVID-19: How the Pandemic Has Forced Healthcare Change in 2020. Virginia Nurses Today, 29(2), 16–17

10 months ago

Cynthia Kadiri

RE: Discussion – Week 6

COLLAPSE

Hi Mariline

i agree with you telehealth services has affected all aspects of the health care giving both the patients and the medical team an opportunity to be involved in their care . More patients make use of multiple avenues including the mobile app, it is imperative that nurses understand the technology to able to educate and recommend to the patients.

one important aspect of Electronic health Record is accessibility, information needed to make a health care decision are all stored in the EHR , this can also be very useful when caring for the elderly who may have multiple health concerns and deal with multiple specialist may not be able to tell and give adequate information which might be necessary to care for them. with technology the provider is able to view all the medical records including list of medications.

Reference

Laureate Education(Producer). (2018) Electronic Records and managing IT change [Video file]. Baltimore, MD:Author

10 months ago

Klara Handrock

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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Technologies Supporting Applied Practice and Optimal Patient Outcomes

General healthcare technology trends

In 2009 the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act had incentive programs – for eligible providers -promoting electronic health records (Balestra, 2017). I graduated from nursing school in 2009, and the first couple years of my nursing profession we had paper charts and documentation. I experienced the phases and growing pains as we transitioned from paper to an electronic medical record. I had this same experience when I worked in home health. I experienced trying to decipher MD orders, and ensuring that the clerk had properly transcribed pharmacy and laboratory orders.

As paper charting continues to be a distant past, technology in healthcare continues to advance. Some of these advancements include electronic health records, electronic prescriptions, diagnostic images that can be shared electronically, smart pumps, and health portals. Telemedicine has increased during the pandemic with waivers related to data transmission (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017).

Potential challenges or risks associated with these trends

There are some challenges and risks that accompany technology advancements in healthcare. Some studies show a decrease in patient satisfaction as there is less face to face time, and increased time allotted to data entry. Patients are sharing private information, and the lack of connection as the clinician interacts with an electronic medical record can potentially reduce communication (Balestra, 2017). .

System availability also poses a big risk, and immediate threats to patient care. There is an increased reliance on technology to the point that if a system crashes, or the internet goes down care can be impacted significantly. We need to have well established back-up plans to reduce potential impact on patient care. To reduce user error, there needs to be sufficient training, and informatics competency so that we can be maximizing the benefits of technology and the data that can be mined from big data (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017).

Potential benefit and one potential risk associated with data safety, legislation, and patient care

Ideally all healthcare providers would be using a “continuity of care document’, or storing in a cloud storage system that could be universally accessed. This would help to decrease overheard costs, reduce unnecessary duplication of care, continue care, and reduce avoidable delays in care. However, safety and security is a potential risk even at a facility level. EHRs, HIPPA compliance, and data sharing are all potential privacy risks associated with data sharing (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017).

Healthcare technology trends you believe are most promising for impacting healthcare technology in nursing practice

Smart devices and EHRs are two trends that I believe to be most promising for positively impacting nursing practice. Smart devices can then communicate data to a platform that a provider can utilize to help determine an individualized plan of care. Apps can be utilized on an individual’s smartphone. One example is an app that syncs with a continuous glucose monitor. This allows a provider more data and trends to review, and then determine plan of care (Carroll, 2020). Trends such as this will facilitate looking at patient’s data in order to treat based on evidenced based practice.

Will this promise contribute to improvements in patient care outcomes, efficiencies, or data management

Healthcare technology has created many safeguards in terms to help prevent errors, and help improve patient outcomes. Some basic examples are allergy alerts, and medication interaction alerts. There are also safeguards on pumps to prevent medication errors. There are alerts on beds, monitors, and pumps. These help reduce falls, and alert clinicians of potentially critical vital signs, and are examples of healthcare technology that has improved patient care outcomes.

Nurses need to have proper training to utilize these safeguards. They do not replace the human element, and are not intended to replace the knowledge, critical thinking, and keen assessment skills of nursing staff. With continued advocacy for standardization of nursing smart phrases there will be improved means for data mining. EHRs have huge implications for improved patient care outcomes. There needs to be increased competency related to how to properly store, organize, utilize the data that can be potentially shared and mined from EHRs. (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017).

References

Balestra, M. L. (2017). Electronic health records: Patient care and ethical and legal implications for nurse practitioners. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 13(2), 105–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2016.09.010

Carroll, W. (2020). Emerging technologies for nurses: Implications for practice (1st ed.). Springer Publishing Company. https://doi.org/https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/waldenu/reader.action?docID=6028010&ppg=92

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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10 months ago

Cheryl Wagner WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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Great informational post, Klara,

And nice discussion points! I have been watching the development of the electronic health record and its ability to help nurses better care for patients with great interest, as it does seem promising. It is good to be able to collaborate with other disciplines in the care of patients, as long as we do not allow one profession to be dictating the actions of the other. So far, in my humble opinion, the multidisciplinary teams seem to be a misnomer – in our area they are called that, but they are really physician led teams. For example, we are not allowed to use nursing terms like nursing diagnoses in the rounds, because supposedly those terms are too hard for other disciplines to understand. That seems like some non-nurse somewhere is trying to dictate nursing care. That’s a little unsettling.

I have to admit, I am starting to get pretty worried about the state of our electronic health records (EHRs) – and I always call them electronic health records because the use of the term electronic medical records seems to move things under the purview of physicians, which is not always in the best interest of nurses and other health care workers.

That is what worries me – and I am not talking out of my hat. Literally the research is starting to show this.

What do you think? Are things any better in your neck of the woods?

Nice work!

Dr. Cheryl

10 months ago

Klara Handrock

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Kealiiaumoku Klein

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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10 months ago

Klara Handrock

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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Hi Kealii-

Thank you for your thought-provoking response to my post. I have a lot to learn about artificial intelligence and the implications it will have on the future of patient care.

Your post affirmed my recent awakening to the fact that technology is going to be creating huge changes in the world of healthcare in the near future. These changes will extend to the nursing profession. That means that I have an obligation as a patient advocate to be knowledgeable about the upcoming changes. Glauser (2017) discussed the importance of nursing taking an active role as technology and artifical intelligence make their way into patient care. Nurses need to be cognoscente of advancements, potential changes, and help determine the role that artifical intelligence will play. Nurses will either help pave the way for these advancements to supplement nursing care, or others will try to replace nurses with advanced technology. We need to be the driving force determining the future of nursing.

With artificial intelligence being the future, nurses need to be well versed in technology and informatics. There are others that can see how artifical intelligence can benefit patient care, but they are not experts in nursing or patient care. To adequately participate in technological advancements nurses need to be informed. We need to be properly armed so that we can help steer advancements to best support the nursing practice, and patient outcomes

References

Frith, Karen. (2019). Artificial Intelligence: What Does It Mean for Nursing?. Nursing Education Perspectives, 40, 261. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000000543

Glauser, W. (2017). Artificial intelligence, automation and the future of nursing. The Canadian Nurse, 113(3), 24–26.

https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-electronic-health-record-ehr

10 months ago

Stanley Asafor

RE: Discussion – Week 6

COLLAPSE

Great post, Klara.

Thank God for this great innovation in electronic health records. An electronic health record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. (HealthIT.gov. (2018c) It was a nightmare working in places where they were still using paper charts. It made our work difficult especially when it comes to gathering data from a paper chart to help a patient. But with the electronic health record systems, just a click will analyze and give you the desired report of the patient you want. As you mentioned in your post, electronic prescriptions, smart pumps are electronic innovations that has come to help nurses safe time in taking care of their patients’. Doctors’ prescriptions in paper charts sometimes are difficult to read, making it difficult to be well transcribed by the HUC or by the nurse. But with the electronic prescriptions, they a legible and readable thus, reducing errors.

As mentioned in your post, telemedicine has increased during this pandemic period. (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). It has made it possible for providers to visit with their patients from a computer without stressing. This will not be possible with the paper charting system.

HealthIT.gov. (2018c). What is an electronic health record (EHR)? Retrieved January,08 from

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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10 months ago

Tina Haslett

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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In this new and evolving digital era, new healthcare technology trends are beginning to emerge, Most healthcare facilities utilize electronic health records (EHR) that offer the ability house all aspects of a patient’s care in one area. These EHRs have also developed “patient portals” as a way to offer the patient easier access to their health information. Many patient portals have grown to include mobile applications that create a more user friendly platform. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was passed to offer privacy protection of healthcare information and enable patients access to the records of their care (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2021). There are many benefits and challenges to maintaining an EHR.

There are many benefits to utilizing an EHR at a healhcare facility. According to HealthIT.gov (2017), EHRs are instrumental in improving patient outcomes, improving intradisciplinary care, and increasing patient compliance. The patient portals allow patients to view, make, and cancel appointment, send messages to providers, request medical refills, read office notes, and read lab and imaging results. Griffen et al (2016) concluded that sicker populations utilized the patient portal more often and was more involved in their care. This same population has greater readmissions in thirty days. Our clinic has experienced many situations related to the patient receiving results prior to a provider reviewing them and contacting the patient with possible treatment options. This has caused anxiety with our patient population and added stress for the clinical staff. Many patients have come to the clinic demanding to see providers about test results without appointments instead of waiting for the provider to review and contact them. This has caused a safety issue within out clinic. It would be best to not release results to the patient portal until the provider has reviewed them in most situations.

The further development of the EHR is the most promising imapct for technology care in nursing practice. The nurse utilizes EHR the most by imputing assessments, and documenting different aspects of care. A nurse has a high amount of contact with the patient and operates as the “eyes and ears” for providers involved in the patient’s treatment. Improving upon EHR to include all aspects of nursing care can greatly improve patient outcomes.

References

HealthIT.gov. (2017). Benefits of EHRs. Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://www.healthit.gov/topic/health-it-and-health-information-exchange-basics/benefits-ehrs

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). Summary of the HIPAA security rule. Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/security/laws-regulations/index.html

10 months ago

Ashley Brimhall

RE: Discussion – Week 6

COLLAPSE

Tina,

I enjoyed your post about your facility’s EHR. According to HealthIT, “EHRs are real-time, patient-centered records that make information available instantly and securely to authorized users” (HealthIT.gov., 2019). I can see how patient access to lab and imaging results could cause additional anxieties without the insight of a provider to assist. Potentially, the EHR could be updated to provide education as soon as results are accessible to a patient. “Patient portals are another way to promote engagement and enhance patient-provider partnerships (11). The type of information included in patient portals varies markedly by site (12). Portal content can range from EHR data (laboratory results, medications, problems) to patient education and self-management tools” (Dykes et al., 2017, p.807). Issues, such as the one you addressed in your post, with EHR systems show the areas where potential improvement could benefit staff and patients. I hope IT, or maybe a nursing informaticist, is able to address your concerns for the benefit of your patients.

References

Dykes, P. C., Rozenblum, R., Dalal, A., Massaro, A., Chang, F., Clements, M., Collins, S.

HealthIT.gov. (2018c). What is an electronic health record (EHR)? Retrieved January,08 from https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-electronic-health-record-ehr

10 months ago

Stanley Asafor

RE: Discussion – Week 6

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Technology trends in healthcare are evident, making it necessary for healthcare providers to embrace. The trends entail the use of technologies to solve some of the healthcare challenges obvious in healthcare today. At times, healthcare providers are required to strain and use fewer resources and efforts to ensure the best quality healthcare services. The healthcare sector should be convinced that technology shall take over in the future, and healthcare providers will be required to monitor and ensure that the systems are running smoothly, leading to the achievement of the best outcomes. One vital technology fully utilized in healthcare is electronic health records (Evans, 2018). There is a need to transition from paper charting to paperless charting by using computers. Therefore, healthcare providers must ensure that they digitally collect and store patients’ healthcare data. Digitalization of healthcare data makes the information readily available to authorized personnel and therefore used as tools to base on during the decision-making process.

Electronic health records have contributed to nursing research as nurses can use patients to develop conclusions concerning care practices utilized. Electronic health records also make it easy for healthcare providers to develop treatment plans as patients’ crucial information is readily available (Evans, 2018). Patients’ critical information includes existing illnesses, allergies, and other medical histories that can influence the process of decision-making. The electronic health record shave ensures that the healthcare providers can have wall the patients’ information without making patients go through unnecessary tests. The technology is vital, especially when the patient requires emergency medical attention. Therefore, the healthcare providers will focus on providing healthcare services rather than subjecting patients to unnecessary tests to have new records. The future of healthcare is technology; healthcare providers must be ready to embrace this change. Educating healthcare providers on the benefits of technology reduces the incidences of resistance.

Reference

Evans R. S. (2018). Electronic Health Records: Then, Now, and in the Future. Yearbook of medical informatics. https://doi.org/10.15265/IYS-2016-s006