Healthcare Information Technology Trends
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.
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.
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.
Healthcare Information Technology Trends
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Healthcare Information Technology Trends
Vanderbilt University Medical Center recently started virtual nursing, demonstrating its continued commitment to healthcare advancement. Schuelke et al. (2019) consider such a move commendable and an illustration of telehealth integration to boost access to care. The authors add that a virtual nurse handles approximately 20 patients electronically and executes varied nursing duties. Thus, such increased remote information sharing has attracted concerns about the data safety risks and implementation challenges despite improved patient care.
Implementing virtual nursing faces unique challenges and risks. For instance, Birkhoff et al. (2021) report that patients complain of technological device use complications that diminish the quality of services. Others find it challenging to execute vital assessments. Gajarawala and Pelkowski (2021) also add the likelihood of inaccurate data transmission, affecting healthcare providers’ decision-making.