NURS 6051 Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends
Sample Answer for NURS 6051 Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends Included After 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.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
To Prepare:
- 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.
BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 6
Post a brief description of general healthcare technology trends, particularly related to data/information you have observed in use in your healthcare organization or nursing practice. Describe any potential challenges or risks that may be inherent in the technologies associated with these trends you described. Then, describe at least one potential benefit and one potential risk associated with data safety, legislation, and patient care for the technologies you described. Next, explain which healthcare technology trends you believe are most promising for impacting healthcare technology in nursing practice and explain why. Describe whether this promise will contribute to improvements in patient care outcomes, efficiencies, or data management. Be specific and provide examples.
BY DAY 6 OF WEEK 6
Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days, offering additional/alternative ideas regarding opportunities and risks related to the observations shared.
*Note: Throughout this program, your fellow students are referred to as colleagues.
A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 6051 Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends
Title: NURS 6051 Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends
Thank you Anupa for your discussion response and I agree with you that the use of electronic health records (EHRs) is critical in the current healthcare dispensation as it offers various benefits to patients and providers. EHRs allow seamless flow of patient health information from one provider to another and ensures correct and accurate data for effective decision-making and development of care plans. As you note, the use of EHRs solves a host of issues like delays in information sending from one facility and provider to another and minimizes paper work that is prone to human errors and mistakes (Lee & Yoon, 2021). EHRs offer complete and up-to-date patient health information for effective actions and decisions to improve care and this enables better diagnosis and fast treatment as well as enhanced communication (Rutledge & Gustin, 2021).
However, as you note, all technologies have their disadvantages that require effective actions and measures. For instance, data security, confidentiality and privacy are not just legal but also ethical aspects that impact the use of EHRs in healthcare systems. Furthermore, data breaches are always a concern and this implores organizations to have safety and security measures to mitigate such occurrences (Mayer et al., 2019). The implication is that organizations should have robust security protocols on access to such data and information.
Again, the use of telehealth as a promising technology cannot be overemphasized because of the benefits that it provides. Other technologies like artificial intelligence, mobile apps and texting as well as machine learning also promise to enhance care delivery and improve access to healthcare services for patients and health promotion for different populations. Artificial intelligence allows for fast diagnosis and ensures that providers make better decisions while mobile apps enhance telehealth and telemedicine to improve overall access and quality of care offered (Mishra et al., 2022). While these technologies offer certain benefits, they also have certain risks that providers should mitigate.
References
Lee, D., & Yoon, S. N. (2021). Application of artificial intelligence-based technologies in the
healthcare industry: Opportunities and challenges. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(1), 271. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18010271
Mayer, M. A., Blanco, O. R., & Torrejon, A. (2019). Use of health apps by nurses for
professional purposes: Web-based survey study. Journal of Medical Internet Research mHealth and uHealth, 7(11), e15195. https://doi.org/10.2196/15195
Mishra, S., Dhuna, N., Lancki, N., Yeh, C., & Larson, D. N. (2022). Telehealth utilization and
patient satisfaction in an ambulatory movement disorders center during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 1357633X221146819. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X221146819
Rutledge, C. M., & Gustin, T. (2021). Preparing nurses for roles in telehealth: Now is the time.
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A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment: NURS 6051 Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends
Title: NURS 6051 Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends
Health information technology is an important asset for reducing patient harm with the reduction of medication errors, easily access of computerized records and the elimination of poor penmanship in the medical record. (Alotaibi & Federico, 2017). Electronic health record systems has transformed transitioning from a paper based system to one that provides clinical data and information to assist providers in delivering high quality care. One trend that I have come to appreciate is the Computerized physician order entry system. COPE allows providers to enter orders for medications, laboratory test, and radiology imaging. This health technology trend eliminates potentially dangerous medical errors caused by poor penmanship while aiding in making the process more efficient for pharmacy and nursing staff while alleviating the need to seek clarification or to solicit missing information from illegible or insufficient orders(Alotaibi & Federico, 2017). Another health care technology trend is the bar code administration system. This particular component aids in prevention medication administration errors. By ensuring each patient receives the right medication at the right time and offering clinical advisories when needed (Pearce & Whyte, 2018).
A few of the drawbacks that I’ve observed at our facility is the in ability to provide updates to our health information technology system in a timely manner, while paying for the ongoing of maintenance cost. The upgrades, maintenance of an electronic heath record, replacement of hardware, and ongoing training of training and support can be costly. An additional risk to health care technology is patient confidentiality related to the increasing amount of health information that is being exchanged. To aid in alleviating some of the concerns’ policymakers have provided measures to ensure safety while maintaining privacy of patient data.
Telehealth has allowed the patients to become empowered while allow nursing professional the ability to create a new way of interacting with patients while providing care (Wu, 2021).
It is no secret that our world has turned to that of one centered around technology, and healthcare systems see this too as they continue to find new ways to implement technology in patient care. Commonly seen now are telehealth visits. Where patients can chat or video call with their physicians and receive prescriptions and medical advice all from their electronic device in the comfort of their own home. “Understanding telehealth and the potential use of telehealth technology in nursing practice is necessary in today’s changing healthcare arena,” (Mcgonigle & Mastrian, 2022).
Risks and Benefits
The benefit of telehealth care is the promptness of the delivery. Prior to our advancements, patients with a complaint would either need to sit in a busy emergency room or make an appointment with a primary physician and hope to be seen within the week. With telehealth, nurses and physicians can see, treat, and observe patients in a timelier manner: for example, a patients’ responses to new medications can be tracked within hours, rather than several days (Mcgonigle & Mastrian, 2022).
The potential risk to patient care is the lack of understanding that while most areas are advancing with the times and increasing their use of technology, there is still a population without access. 15–24% of Americans lack any sort of broadband connection to the Internet with which to use mobile health technology, with this digital divide seen in both urban and rural areas of lower income households (Sieck et. Al. 2021). Therefore, while a large population of healthcare delivery is becoming more convenient with a click of a button on a screen, it will still be important for physicians and healthcare delivery systems to realize they will not reach everyone this way.
Promising Technology
As a floor nurse working on an observation unit, I have seen two occasions now of apple watches alerting patients of irregular heart rhythms. One patient received one of those notifications, took himself to his local emergency department, and was cardioverted later that afternoon to reverse his heart from the atrial fibrillation the apple watch had detected him in. From seeing this in action, these types of technologies are one of the most promising in our evolving world. An estimated 11 billion people in America have undiagnosed heart conditions, meaning the advancement of this type of technology to provide quick notification of an emergency has potential to save many lives (uhhosptials.org, 2022).
Not only will smart devices be able to detect heart rhythm abnormalities, but it is also expected that they will be able to detect blood sugar and blood pressure issues as well (uhhopsitals.org, 2022). It can be assumed as this technology continues to flourish so will the depth of health data that will be able to be tracked remotely. Naturally, the roll out of these types of technologies always come with initial bugs, and the accuracy of data reported will be an important bug to fix so as to not raise false concerns or provide inaccurate medical advice.
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2022). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning
Sieck, C. J., Sheon, A., Ancker, J. S., Castek, J., Callahan, B., & Siefer, A. (2021). Digital inclusion as a social determinant of healthLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.. NPJ Digital Medicine, 4(1), 52. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-021-00413-8Links to an external site.
Uhhospitals.org. (2022). Smart watches hold promise to detect disease and improve health. University hosptials. https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2022/09/smart-watches-hold-promise-to-detect-disease-and-improve-health
A Sample Answer 3 For the Assignment: NURS 6051 Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends
Title: NURS 6051 Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends
I agree, there is no denying that technology is taking over the healthcare world. This can be both a benefit and a hinderance, however I’ve seen that it is more of a benefit to healthcare than the latter. Telehealth had a huge potential to change healthcare (Mcgonigle & Mastrian, 2022) Telehealth was especially beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic by preventing more transmission and exposure of the general public. The COVID-19 pandemic led to digital health service expansion that widened the existing digital divide (sharma 2022). Telehealth was originally developed to provide basic care to rural and underserved patients (Gajarawala, 2021). However it was expanded during the pandemic to allow treatment to a much larger population. The minimization of patient cost was a great benefit of the implementation; however, adoption has been hindered by regulatory, legal, and reimbursement barriers (Gajarawala, 2021). I believe these regulatory barriers will continue to cause issues as I see first hand with family members who are APRNs now being required to have a certain percentage of ‘face-to-face’ visits versus telehealth. They are only allowed to see a certain amount of patients via telehealth, but the rest must be in person. Telehealth is being heavily adapted by physicians and a recent survey of Greenway clients revealed that 96% of providersLinks to an external site. conducted some form of telehealth visits, and most planned to continue to do so (9 advantages for patients, providers, n.d.)
References:
Benefits of telehealth: 9 advantages for patients, providers. (n.d.). Greenway Health. https://www.greenwayhealth.com/knowledge-center/greenway-blog/telehealth-benefits-9-advantages
Gajarawala, S. N., & Pelkowski, J. N. (2021). Telehealth Benefits and Barriers. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 17https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013Links to an external site.
Sharma, P., & Patten, C. A. (2022). A need for digitally inclusive health care service in the United States: Recommendations for clinicians and health care systemsLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.. Permanente Journal, 26(3). https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/21.156
A Sample Answer 4 For the Assignment: NURS 6051 Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends
Title: NURS 6051 Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends
The great thing about Internet access is the announcement by the Biden administration to invest more than 40 billion dollars in expansion. “The funding, authorized in Biden’s 2021 bipartisan infrastructure package, will be distributed proportionally to states based on need with each state receiving at least $100 million” (Kelly, 2023). This will increase the ability of telehealth to expand and assist with patient care. In the Baltimore area, this will help rural areas connect with the providers at Hopkins, University of Maryland and Mayo Clinic without having to travel into the city. Hardware is still an issue. If a patient does not have Internet access or insurance, why would they have a laptop or desktop to connect to the Internet and be able to video chat their provider. Also, during a telemedicine visit, there is a lack of vital signs and auscultating breath sounds. There is only so much you can do just by putting your eyes on a patient. In the future, will we require a patient to take a set of vital signs in front of us on video? They would be required to have a pulse ox, a BP cuff and a thermometer.
Where do we go from here? Thats the question we are all asking ourselves post-pandemic. “Medicare patients can receive telehealth services in their homes, not just at medical facilities, and physicians are being compensated at the in-person payment rate” (Strazewski, 2020). “Kaiser Permanente members in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC, have a better option: They can access a 24/7 video health center that connects them with a doctor who can quickly assess the problem and offer guidance. If the doctor determines that the problem is life-threatening, she tells the patient to go immediately to the ER, sending the relevant medical information ahead to reduce the risk of complications…[Intermountain Health Care developed a program] patients who test positive for (or are suspected of having) Covid-19 and have non–life-threatening symptoms are given a Bluetooth pulse oximeter. They pair the device with their smartphone and use it to measure their blood oxygen levels daily for two weeks” (Pearl and Wayling, 2022). This of course required the patient to have a smartphone. However, this ability to pair the devices and monitor the patient at home is priceless. Education of our older patients and expanding Internet access is key to healthcare in the future.
Reference
Kelly, M. (2023, June 26). White House announces $40 billion in broadband funding. The Verge. Retrieved July 7, 2023 from https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/26/23773434/broadband-funding-biden-white-house-ntiaLinks to an external site.
Pearl, R. and Wayling, B. (2022, April 12). The Telehealth Era Is Just Beginning. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved July 7, 2023 from https://hbr.org/2022/05/the-telehealth-era-is-just-beginningLinks to an external site.
Strazewski, L. (2020, September 7). Telehealth’s post-pandemic future: Where do we go from here? American Medical Association. Retrieved July 7, 2023 from https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/digital/telehealth-s-post-pandemic-future-where-do-we-go-hereLinks to an external site.
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Replies to each graded thread topic posted by the course instructor, by Wednesday, 11:59 p.m. MT, of each week, and posts a minimum of two times in each graded thread, on separate days. (5 points possible per graded thread) |
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