Evidence-Based Recommendation for Smart Bed Technology Implementation

Annotated Bibliography
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Annotated Bibliography
Smart bed technology is one of the many technologies nurses can use for nursing care improvement and patient safety. Most patients receive care while lying or sitting on hospital beds, and having good beds can go a long way in ensuring patients are comfortable and safe. However, patients with extended hospital stays can benefit the most from smart bed technology because they need adequate assistance. According to Ghersi et al. (2018), smart bed technology involves using smart medical beds, which use new technologies, such as wireless sensors, to monitor patients in real-time and help adjust their positions. This helps in keeping patients safe and comfortable. Smart beds are embedded with functions such as bed-exit alarms, integrated air pressure mattresses, staff reminders, touchscreens, and handheld control, among other features (Ghersi et al., 2018). These features allow nurses to adjust patients' sleeping positions without assistance from other medical personnel and check on the patient without making many trips to the patient’s room.
Rationale
I am interested in smart bed technology because I know patients with extended hospital stays are at a higher risk of developing pressure ulcers. As Mitchell (2018) notes, nurses play a central role in preventing pressure ulcers through effective pressure area care and management, which is an essential aspect of nursing practice. As a nurse, I want to understand the strategies applied in pressure ulcer prevention as well as the technologies that can be utilized to reduce the development of pressure ulcers. Smart bed technology provides a support surface that allows nurses to monitor patient positions, reducing the risk of pressure ulcers (Ghersi et al., 2018). Once the nurse notices that the patient is at risk of developing pressure ulcers, they can reposition the patient as necessary. In addition, as stated earlier, one of the features of a smart medical bed is an integrated air pressure mattress (Ghersi et al., 2018), which is essential in relieving pressure on the skin and preventing pressure ulcers.
Search Strategies
The first step of my research process involved identifying a research area of interest. I have had an interest in the role of nurses in preventing pressure ulcers, and I figured that I should identify a technology that can be used to assist nurses in effectively performing this role. After an initial search on technology and pressure ulcers, I settled on smart bed technology.
The next step of the research process was to conduct a literature search. I used Google Scholar to search for relevant literature. I used the following search terms: Smart bed technology, smart bed platforms, and smart mattress technology in combination with patient safety, nursing care, pressure ulcers, and bedsores. After the literature search, I identified four key studies as the most relevant. Below is an annotated bibliography of the four studies.
Annotation
Khaleghi, L. (2018). A Review on Equipped Hospital Beds with Wireless Sensor Networks for Reducing Bedsores. Journal of Nursing & Healthcare, 3(3), 1-8. https://opastpublishers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/a-review-on-equipped-hospital-beds-with-wireless-sensor-networks-for-reducing-bedsores-jnh-18.pdf
This study’s purpose is to explore the challenges and benefits of implementing smart bed technology in healthcare organizations. The authors review existing literature on wireless sensor networks embedded in hospital beds to prevent pressure ulcers. The study reveals that a smart mattress collects and analyzes data on pressure points. It reveals that the benefits of smart mattresses include the ability to detect pressure points, distribute pressure appropriately, and prevent pressure ulcers among bedridden patients. These benefits are essential in promoting patient safety. However, the challenges include acquiring related technologies and expertise when implementing smart technology.
According to the review, smart mattresses are relevant to nursing practice because they provide nurses and other healthcare professionals with real-time monitoring of pressure points, enabling them to act fast to prevent the occurrence of bed sores. In addition, smart mattresses can alert the nursing staff when it is time to reposition the patients. This makes it easier for nurses to provide quality and adequate care. This article was selected because it identifies the challenges and benefits of implementing smart bed technology in healthcare organizations.
Tak, S., Choi, H., Lee, D., Song, Y., & Park, J. (2022). Nurses' Perceptions About Smart Beds in Hospitals. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing. https://doi/org/10.1097/CIN.0000000000000949
This study's primary focus is on the perception of nurses about smart mattresses. It assesses what nurses think about the usefulness, level of assistance, and outcomes associated with the smart mattress technology. It utilizes a survey method to obtain information from 349 nurses. The results reveal that nurses view smart mattresses as highly necessary and assistive in improving nursing care. They also reveal that nurses wou...