Impact of Technologies, Coursework Example

Introduction

Technology impacts patient care in many different ways and has a significant influence on efficiency and quality of care. Healthcare organizations must recognize the impact of technology on patient care delivery and consider the implementation of these technologies to enhance care and improve communication with patients. The efforts that are made in this arena coincide with a nationally recognized demand to improve patient care outcomes using technology across different platforms (Powell-Cope et.al, 2008). These technologies must provide greater value in patient care and support enhanced quality of care across many levels (Powell-Cope et.al, 2008). Concepts such as telehealth must be considered as feasible alternatives for healthcare providers to ensure that patient care outcomes are achieved on a consistent basis (APTA, 2012).  Patient safety is also critical in promoting quality of care; therefore, technology-based solutions must consider these issues and integrate solutions into existing practice to minimize errors and improve safety (Henneman, 2010). The following discussion will address a qualitative research study that examines the impact of technology on patient care in order to emphasize this relationship and its potential for achieving greater quality of care in patient settings and in the home environment.

Analysis

An article by Black et.al (2011) considers the relevance of eHealth technologies to improve patient care outcomes. This study is qualitative in nature because it evaluates the quality of existing literature in order to achieve an improved understanding of these technologies on safety and quality (Black et.al, 2011). The study incorporated a review of systematic reviews as a means of evaluating current technologies and evidence-based practice (Black et.al, 2011). A number of strategies were implemented to identify the reviews that were appropriate for the desired objectives and to address eHealth technology in a concise manner to gauge its effectiveness (Black et.al, 2011). This information was evaluated in order to identify areas where eHealth technologies have contributed to evidence-based practice (Black et.al, 2011). Based upon the parameters set forth to identify the reviews, 53 reviews were selected for further evaluation (Black et.al, 2011). Specific areas were considered, such as electronic health records, communication systems, ePrescribing, and decision support systems (Black et.al, 2011).  Each of these areas was addressed in the study in detail and also offered an overview of some of the critical challenges associated with patient care outcomes in integrating these solutions into modern practice settings (Black et.al, 2011). However, the systematic reviews also indicate that the evidence does not align with the technologies and their proposed intent (Black et.al, 2011). From this perspective, it should also be noted that any claims related to cost effectiveness cannot be supported by existing evidence (Black et.al, 2011). Although the study does not indicate a positive impact of eHealth on evidence-based practice, there is nonetheless an advantage to implementing these technologies in healthcare practice (Black et.al, 2011). In particular, it is important to address the concerns associated with patient care safety and the benefits that technology may provide as examined in in future studies (Black et.al, 2011).

This qualitative study provides evidence that bias may be observed in some reviews, in addition to conflicts of interest and poor quality research (Black et.al, 2011). In spite of these concerns, however, the study provides a strong basis for the exploration of research that will indicate positive benefits related to technology integration in healthcare settings (Black et.al, 2011). Nonetheless, evidence-based practice must continue to be explored in this area because technology will continue to emerge and provide benefits to the healthcare system (Black et.al, 2011). There are considerable opportunities in place that require evaluation; therefore, it is important to address these areas in future studies with a focus on improving evidence and its application to practice in the areas that encompass eHealth (Black et.al, 2011). It is important to recognize this study as a starting point for future studies and the possible quantification of data as related to evidence-based practice so that there are sufficient opportunities for growth and development of eHealth alternatives in future settings where patients will benefit from these tools in different ways (Black et.al, 2011).

Conclusion

The development of evaluation tools to determine the effectiveness of eHealth technologies is a complex phenomenon and supports a greater understanding of the issues and challenges that healthcare practitioners face in promoting patient health and safety. Tools such as electronic health records and Telehealth alternatives must be considered as potential promoters of health and safety for patients. However, it is necessary to consider other challenges that might emerge in this process and to develop a strategy that will be most appropriate for the healthcare environment under consideration. eHealth initiatives provide a platform for the development of new perspectives to facilitate improved quality of care. Nonetheless, the cost of these technologies may be prohibitive in some environments or difficult to sustain; therefore, it is important for organizations to make cost effective decisions that will improve the organization and that will not compromise the health and safety of all patients. This is a primary objective that must be considered by all organizations and that will support patient care outcomes at all times. Most importantly, organizations must evaluate their core strengths and weaknesses and align their strengths to enhance technologies in the appropriate manner, using valuable resources to implement these tools and promote greater patient health and safety under all possible conditions.

References

American Physical Therapy Association (2012). Telehealth. Retrieved from http://www.apta.org/uploadedFiles/APTAorg/About_Us/Policies/Practice/Telehealth.pdf

Black, A.D., Car, J., Pagliari, C., Anandan, C., Cresswell, K., Bokun, T., McKinstry, B., Procter, R., Majeed, A., and Sheikh, A. (2011). The Impact of eHealth on the Quality and Safety of Health Care: A Systematic Overview. PLOS Medicine, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000387

Henneman, E.A. (2010). Patient safety and technology. AACN Advanced Critical Care, 20(2), 128-132.

Powell-Cope, G., Nelson, A.L, and Patterson, E.S. (2008). Chapter 50: patient care technology and safety. Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.