ANSWER
When assessing the impact of technology trends on healthcare delivery within my organization, I reflect on the current use of healthcare technologies and identify a noteworthy trend that has the potential to change the future of nursing practice and healthcare outcomes.
Current Applications of Healthcare Technologies
Currently, my healthcare firm uses numerous digital information tools and technology to successfully organize and share information.
Electronic Health Records (EHR): EHRs have simplified documentation, increased access to patient records, and improved care coordination among healthcare professionals. They function as complete patient information warehouses that are accessible from several departments and contexts.
Telehealth and telemedicine: These technologies have gained popularity, particularly during the COVID-19 epidemic, allowing for remote consultations, virtual visits, and patient monitoring at home. Telehealth has increased access to care, particularly among rural and underserved communities.
Mobile Applications: A variety of mobile apps help patients interact, adhere to medications, manage chronic diseases, and obtain health information. These apps encourage people to take an active role in managing their health and wellness.
Technology Trend: IoT-Enabled Asset Tracking
IoT-enabled asset tracking is an emerging technology trend that I’ve noticed in my healthcare context. This entails integrating networked devices with sensors to track and manage medical equipment, supplies, and even workers within a healthcare center.
IoT-enabled asset tracking can increase efficiency in resource management by ensuring necessary equipment and supplies are available when needed, impacting nursing practice and healthcare delivery. Nurses can rapidly identify equipment like IV pumps, wheelchairs, and defibrillators, which saves time and improves response times in critical situations.
Improved Patient Safety: Tracking high-value assets and drugs with IoT can assist prevent loss or theft. For example, RFID-tagged drugs can be monitored to avoid unauthorized access or medication administration errors, hence improving patient safety.
Workflow Optimization: Nurses can benefit from improved workflows since IoT devices perform regular activities such as inventory management. This enables nurses to concentrate on direct patient care rather than administrative or logistical duties.
Data collected from IoT devices can be connected with electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical decision support systems (CDSS). This interface gives real-time insights into asset consumption trends, allowing for more informed resource allocation and evidence-based decision-making.
Future Implications.
Looking ahead, IoT usage in healthcare is projected to grow beyond asset tracking. Future applications could include remote patient monitoring via wearable devices, smart hospital rooms that alter environmental conditions based on patient needs, and predictive analytics to predict patient deterioration or equipment maintenance requirements.
Conclusion
To summarize, the healthcare business is rapidly embracing sophisticated technologies such as IoT to improve operational economies, patient outcomes, and nursing practice. As informaticists and healthcare professionals, staying current on technological advances and their possible applications is critical for optimizing healthcare delivery and developing nursing positions in the digital era.
By carefully integrating IoT-enabled asset monitoring and other emerging technologies, healthcare companies may efficiently manage future difficulties while providing high-quality patient-centered care.
QUESTION
Throughout history, technological advancements have appeared for one purpose before finding applications elsewhere that lead to spikes in its usage and development. The internet, for example, was originally developed to share research before becoming a staple of work and entertainment. But technology—new and repurposed—will undoubtedly continue to be a driver of healthcare information. Informaticists often stay tuned to trends to monitor what the next new technology will be or how the next new idea for applying existing technology can benefit outcomes.
In this Discussion, you will reflect on your healthcare organization’s use of technology and offer a technology trend you observe in your environment.
- Reflect on the Resources related to digital information tools and technologies.
- Consider your healthcare organization’s use of healthcare technologies to manage and distribute information.
- Reflect on current and potential future trends, such as use of social media and mobile applications/telehealth, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled asset tracking, or expert systems/artificial intelligence, and how they may impact nursing practice and healthcare delivery.
