NURS-6051N Module 4: Week 6: Discussion on Healthcare Information Technology Trends

NURS-6051N Module 4: Week 6: Discussion on Healthcare Information Technology Trends

By Day 3 of Week 6:

Share a concise overview of prevailing healthcare technology trends, particularly in relation to data and information utilization, that you have observed within your healthcare institution or nursing practice. Outline any potential difficulties or hazards that may be intrinsic to the technologies linked to these observed trends. Subsequently, discuss one potential advantage and one possible drawback associated with data security, legislative aspects, and patient care concerning the aforementioned technologies in NURS-6051N Module 4: Week 6: Discussion on Healthcare Information Technology Trends. Furthermore, elaborate on which healthcare technology trends you perceive as the most promising for influencing technology within nursing practice and elucidate the rationale behind your choice. Specify whether this promise is likely to contribute to enhancements in patient care outcomes, operational efficiencies, or data administration. Please provide concrete examples where applicable.

NURS-6051N Module 4: Week 6: Discussion on Healthcare Information Technology Trends – Sample 2

Main Question Post:

The utilization of technology in healthcare is continually evolving. Many organizations have transitioned from traditional paper charting to electronic charting, with hospitals offering patient portals for accessing health information, and electronic devices (such as cardiac monitors or vital sign machines) are now employed for patient monitoring. Some healthcare trends I have observed within my hospital include the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and the use of mobile apps by patients.

Technologies in Healthcare

EHRs are digital representations of a patient’s chart, providing real-time, patient-centered records that offer instant and secure access to authorized users (HealthIT, 2018c). In my role as an endoscopy and motility nurse, the EHR proves invaluable when patients forget specific procedures they’ve undergone. I can easily access their chart, navigate to the procedures tab, and retrieve details about the patient’s specific procedure and its date. EHRs facilitate quick access to patient information for clinical staff. As an endoscopy nurse, I can use the EHR to document medications and vital signs during procedures. Another healthcare trend I’ve noticed is the use of mobile apps such as MyChart, which has gained popularity in my hospital. The MyChart app enables patients to view basic information and results from their hospital visits. I’ve lost count of how many times patients have inquired, “Will that information be available in MyChart?” This reflects patients’ eagerness to track and access their healthcare information as it becomes available.

Focused Exam: Chest Pain, Brian Foster Shadow health transcript

Benefits and Risks Associated with Technology in Healthcare

One of the benefits of having an EHR in the hospital is the ability to access patient information rapidly, enhancing patient safety. For example, when administering medications, there is a prompt within the EHR to scan your own badge for identification, the patient’s badge for identification, and the medication itself. This system within the EHR helps reduce medication errors, thereby increasing patient safety. McGonigle and Mastrian (2022) reference a study indicating that nurses report better care outcomes and fewer concerns about patient safety when using a basic EHR. However, one risk associated with patients using mobile apps for health information is the potential for privacy breaches. Patients can become targets for health information breaches if they are not aware of certain phishing attempts. It is essential for nurses to educate patients on using secure devices and internet services when utilizing mobile apps.

Healthcare Technology Trends with the Most Promise

Telehealth is one of the technology trends that I believe will continue to impact nursing practice. Telehealth leverages digital information and communication technologies to enable remote access to health services and manage healthcare (NURS-6051N Module 4: Week 6: Discussion healthcare information technology trends). Telehealth offers numerous benefits, such as improving healthcare accessibility for people in rural areas, ensuring community safety during infectious disease outbreaks (e.g., Covid-19), and providing easy access to healthcare for individuals with limited mobility or transportation challenges (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Telehealth visits can also be beneficial for immunocompromised individuals, allowing them to receive routine visits or follow-up care from the safety of their homes, thereby avoiding potential exposure to pathogens in hospital settings.

References

HealthIT.gov. (2018c). What is an electronic health record (EHR). Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-electronic-health-record-ehr Links to an external site.

Mayoclinic.org. (2022). Telehealth: Technology meets health care. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/telehealth/art-20044878 Links to an external site.

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2022). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

NURS-6051N Module 4: Week 6: Discussion healthcare information technology trends – Sample Response

I found your post to be informative and detailed. Indeed, telehealth has transformed healthcare delivery and positively impacted nursing practice. Telehealth played a crucial role in preventing the spread of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic by allowing healthcare providers to communicate with patients virtually from safe locations. Importantly, telehealth does not hinder nurses’ ability to provide adequate patient care (NURS-6051N Module 4: Week 6: Discussion healthcare information technology trends). McGonigle and Mastrian (2018) emphasized the importance of telehealth in helping nurses adhere to practice standards and perform their duties efficiently.

Cost savings is another significant way in which telehealth has improved healthcare. Telehealth enables healthcare organizations to see more patients compared to traditional in-person visits, which are time-consuming and often result in appointment cancellations. Additionally, patients save money and time by using telehealth instead of traveling to the doctor’s office, particularly for non-urgent appointments. Marr (2022) highlighted that providers have realized that telehealth can provide care more efficiently and cost-effectively, especially for certain conditions.

The use of electronic health records (EHRs) has greatly enhanced patient care. As you mentioned, EHRs enable nurses to access patient information easily, leading to improved documentation. The adoption of EHRs helps nurses gain a better understanding of patients’ medical history, including allergies, treatment plans, and past medications. EHRs are a critical component of health IT and contain essential patient information, including medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization records, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory test results (HealthIT, 2018c). It is imperative for healthcare organizations to incorporate EHRs into their documentation systems for efficient management of patient health information.

References

HealthIT.gov. (2018c). What is an electronic health record (EHR). Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-electronic-health-record-ehr Links to an external site.

Marr, B. (2022). The Top 5 Healthcare Trends In 2023. Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2022/12/06/the-top-5-healthcare-trends-in-2023/?sh=170a4717565b Links to an external site.

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2018). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

NURS-6051N Module 4: Week 6: Discussion healthcare information technology trends – Sample Response 2

Your post was informative, and I can relate to the increasing use of patient portals like MyChart. In my organization, too, we employ this platform to provide patients with real-time access to electronic medical records and many other beneficial features it offers. Interestingly, when MyChart was first introduced, our organization struggled to get patients engaged, with only 30% utilizing it. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve observed nearly 75% of our patient population using the platform. Individuals are becoming more accustomed to having real-time access to their provider and health information via telehealth and electronic records. This puts added pressure on healthcare organizations to stay current and continuously learn about new advancements in healthcare delivery (NURS-6051N Module 4: Week 6: Discussion healthcare information technology trends). Electronic health records (EHRs) hold great potential for improving patient outcomes, allowing clinicians to better advocate for their patients. EHRs offer unique advantages, such as the use of decision support functions within the EHR to identify patients who qualify for research studies or prescription drug benefits offered by pharmaceutical companies at safety net clinics and hospitals (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2022). This is particularly crucial in safety net healthcare settings where patients, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status, receive care (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2022).

References

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2022). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Patel, S.Y., Huskamp, H.A., Busch, A. B., & Mehrotra, A. (2020). Telemental Health and US Rural-Urban Differences in Specialty Mental Health Use, 2010-2017. American Journal of Public Health, 110(9), 1308-1314. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305657 NURS-6051N Module 4: Week 6: Discussion healthcare information technology trends.