Response #!:
Shameka Pitts
Healthcare Information Technology Trends
In the fast evolution of healthcare technology, one notable trend observed within my medical-surgical unit is the increasing utilization of electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical decision support systems (CDSS). These systems streamline documentation processes, enhance communication among healthcare team members, and facilitate evidence-based clinical decision-making. However, inherent challenges and risks exist, including issues related to data security and privacy breaches. With the vast amount of sensitive patient information stored within EHRs, the potential for unauthorized access or cyberattacks poses a significant threat to patient confidentiality (Stipelman et al., 2022).
One potential benefit associated with advancements in data safety and legislation is the improved accuracy and accessibility of patient information, leading to enhanced care coordination and continuity. Conversely, a notable risk is the potential for breaches in data security, which may result in compromised patient privacy and confidentiality. For instance, unauthorized access to patient records could lead to identity theft or medical fraud, jeopardizing patient trust and healthcare outcomes (Bowman, 2019).
Among the various healthcare technology trends, I believe telehealth holds significant promise for impacting nursing practice. Telehealth facilitates remote patient monitoring, virtual consultations, and telemedicine services, extending healthcare access to underserved populations and improving patient engagement (Gajarawala & Pelkowski., 2021). This advancement contributes to improvements in patient care outcomes by enabling timely interventions, reducing hospital readmissions, and enhancing chronic disease management. For instance, telehealth platforms allow nurses to remotely monitor vital signs, provide education, and assess patient symptoms, thereby promoting early detection of complications and timely interventions (Haleem et al., 2021).
References
Bowman, S. (2019). Impact of electronic health record systems on information integrity: Quality and safety implications. Perspectives in Health Information Management, 16(Fall), 1e.
Gajarawala, S. N., & Pelkowski, J. N. (2021). Telehealth benefits and barriers. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners : JNP, 17(2), 218–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013
Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Singh, R. P., & Suman, R. (2021). Telemedicine for healthcare: Capabilities, features, barriers, and applications. Sensors International, 2, 100117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100117
Stipelman, C. H., Kukhareva, P. V., Trepman, E., Nguyen, Q. T., Valdez, L., Kenost, C., Hightower, M., & Kawamoto, K. (2022). Electronic health record-integrated clinical decision support for clinicians serving populations facing health care disparities: Literature review. Yearbook of Medical Informatics, 31(1), 184–198. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1742518
Response #2:
Kiran Khan
Recent years have seen tremendous developments in general healthcare technology, especially in the area of data and information management. Within my healthcare organization or nursing practice, I have observed the use of electronic health records (EHRs), telehealth, and wearable devices as notable examples. The widespread adoption of EHRs has made it possible to digitize and centralize patient medical records. They have many advantages, including enhanced accessibility and more efficient information exchange between healthcare professionals. Data interoperability, on the other hand, may provide a problem for EHRs since various systems may employ disparate formats, which makes information interchange problematic.
Strong data security measures are crucial because there is still a chance of data breaches and illegal access to private patient information (Seh et al., 2020).
Telehealth has grown in popularity over the past few years, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic. It makes remote medical monitoring and consulting possible, enhancing patient access to care in remote or underdeveloped places (Wu, 2021). Reduced healthcare expenses and more patient convenience are two possible advantages of telemedicine. The drawback of telehealth is that, because there is no physical inspection, there is a chance of an incorrect or incomplete diagnosis. Moreover, some patients may not have access to a dependable internet connection or possess the necessary digital literacy to fully utilize telehealth services.
In my opinion, telehealth will have the most influence on how nursing practice uses medical technology. Enhancing healthcare outcomes, productivity, and data management are all possible with telehealth. Better illness management and fewer hospital readmissions are the outcomes of nurses’ timely interventions, patient education, and support made possible by remote consultations and monitoring (Watson, 2020). Virtual follow-up visits have the potential to enhance postoperative care, for example. Recovering at home doesn’t mean losing contact with medical professionals. This strategy can lessen needless hospital stays, lessen the strain on healthcare professionals, and improve patient satisfaction.
In summary, wearable technology, telemedicine, electronic health records (EHRs), and other advancements in healthcare technology come with risks and obstacles. There is a possibility of data breaches and unauthorized access, so data security and laws are crucial. However, when used properly, these technologies have the power to completely transform nursing practice by enhancing data management, efficiency, and patient care outcomes.
References
Seh, A. H., Zarour, M., Alenezi, M., Sarkar, A. K., Agrawal, A., Kumar, R., & Khan, R. A. (2020, May 13). Healthcare data breaches: Insights and implications. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC73496… to an external site.
Wu, Y. (2021, October 10). Utilization of telehealth and the Advancement of Nursing Informatics during COVID-19 pandemic. International journal of nursing sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC84469… to an external site.
Watson, S. (2020, October 12). Telehealth: The advantages and disadvantages. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/tel…