Information and Care Technologies, Coursework Example

Introduction

Technology is instrumental in the delivery of patient care in the modern era. It is necessary to identify different forms of technology that facilitate high quality patient care and treatment throughout healthcare practice. These elements are indicative of continuous improvements in patient care that have a positive impact on quality of life. Different forms of technology are available, including data management tools and direct patient care tools, and both options are effective in enhancing healthcare practice and direct patient care in many ways. For example, electronic health record systems and barcode medication administration systems are essential contributors to the delivery of healthcare for patients in the modern era. Each of these systems reflects the importance of new perspectives that enable nurses to provide high quality care and treatment at all times. It is imperative that these technologies are utilized wisely in the healthcare setting to ensure that patient care is optimized at all times.

Analysis

Healthcare technology is imperative in modern healthcare settings because it promotes efficiency and cost effectiveness, accompanied by improved quality of care. Healthcare technology continues to increase in scope and value because it has been proven effective in enhancing patient care quality on many levels (Schwartz, 2012). Technology is applied in many healthcare settings and influences the manner in which patient quality of life is managed (Schwartz, 2012). For technologies that manage data and information in a comprehensive manner such as electronic health records, these records are used to obtain initial and ongoing data regarding patients, including health histories and other factors that influence how treatment alternatives are evaluated. The implementation of electronic health record systems has been an ongoing process throughout healthcare organizations and represents an opportunity to demonstrate the level of efficiency that is achieved with this type of system. Electronic health records track patient information and data, including test results, medications, and vital signs so that patient care is effectively coordinated at all times by all nurses who are responsible for providing care to patients. In addition, it may be possible for these systems to generate different types of reports based upon historical data and trends over a period of time.

Healthcare technologies that track data and information also contribute to the achievement of effective outcomes for patients through careful monitoring and tracking of specific events (Nursingtimes.net, 2013). From this perspective, it is possible for nurses to record and retrieve data regarding patients without delays and to improve quality of care when using this data in a practical manner (Nursingtimes.net, 2013). These efforts contribute to the overall effectiveness of patient care and treatment when data is readily available and accessible to make decisions regarding care and treatment plans (Nursingtimes.net, 2013). These contributions are essential to the discovery of new perspectives to address healthcare conditions in an efficient manner (Nursingtimes.net, 2013).

The benefits of technology throughout healthcare practice settings are significant; however, it may be difficult for nurses to obtain adequate knowledge and training regarding these tools in some settings (Murphy, 2010). These issues are particularly challenging for nurses because they may limit their ability to promote greater quality of care to patients and to determine how to best move forward in treating patients effectively (Murphy, 2010). Nurses may feel conflicted at times when working with new technologies, particularly when they are uncomfortable with these tools and how they are integrated into the daily practice environment (Murphy, 2010). Therefore, additional measures must be taken that will be effective in accomplishing the objectives of nursing care and treatment in a manner that is consistent with enhancing patient care quality (Murphy, 2010).

The implementation of direct patient care tools such as barcode medication administration systems are also critical in minimizing mediation errors and in improving quality of care for patients. The emergence of new technologies such as this example demonstrate the overall importance of expanding knowledge and improving documentation capabilities so that nurses are successful in administering medications without significant errors (Furst et.al, 2013). In this scenario, it is important to identify the resources that are available to nurses to enhance their training and knowledge in this capacity and in their ability to be effective in supporting greater quality of care without errors. These elements must actively contribute to the role that nurses play in medication administration that is designed to reduce errors and patient-related health risks that may arise when medication errors are likely to occur. By reducing the potential for these events, it is possible to observe positive outcomes for patients that reflect reduced medication errors and improved quality of life for patients on a more consistent basis.

Conclusion

Patient care delivery and quality are dependent upon the implementation and successful utilization of different technologies in the healthcare environment. It is important to identify the areas that are likely to benefit from these tools, such as patient information and data collection, as well as direct patient care. Tools such as electronic health records and barcode medication administration systems are significant in providing an advanced level of support for patients to expand quality of care and enhance the delivery of treatments as necessary. These elements will enable nurses to be more efficient and expand their knowledge of patients so that care and treatment are optimized.

References

Furst, C.M., Finto, D., Malouf-Todaro, N., Moore, C., Orr, D.A., Santos, J., Sutton, K., and Tipton, P.H. (2013). Changing times: enhancing clinical practice through evolving technology. Medsurg Nursing, 22(2), 131-134.

Murphy, J. (2010). Nursing and technology: a love/hate relationship. Nursing Economics, 28(6), 405-408.

Nursingtimes.net (2013). “Embrace technology to benefit staff and, ultimately, patients.” Retrieved from

http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/healthcare-it/embrace-technology-to-benefit-staff-and-ultimately-patients/5065657.article

Schwartz, A. (2012). Helping drive health care’s fast-moving technology train. Science of Caring, 24(1), 14-20.