There are many ways that new technology in nursing is impacting healthcare. For a long time, we have seen slow progressions in current practice, but new technology in nursing is now rapidly and efficiently improving patient care. There has been a lot of push back over the years when it comes to new technology in nursing, because the majority of nurses are the more experienced nurses that are not familiar with the type of systems, computers, and cell-phones that the newer generation of nurses has had a lot of experience with. For many years, nurses wrote everything down and used vocal communication for almost everything. As time has gone by, there have been changes as new technology was created to improve patient care and the efficacy of the job. It also ties into the national nursing shortage considering the technology is intended to make the job of a nurse easier, therefore, encouraging more to join. There are a few new technologies in nursing that outshine others, but overall, technological advances in nursing are changing patient, provider, and information systems in a way that can never be reversed—for the better. Let’s take a look at a few of the standouts:
1. NurseGrid
NurseGrid is an incredible tool, that simplifies direct facility nurse staffing in real time for your specific nursing needs. After reviewing the app both NurseGrid and NurseGrid Manager seem to benefit both the busy nurse and the hospital’s efficiency and budget beyond anything seen before. Nurses can communicate about shifts directly through the app, share shifts they would be willing to swap, send shift replacements and much more directly to a manager for approval. The entire short-notice staffing system is streamlined and made much more efficient through the use of this innovative technology. NurseGrid provides a space that makes the lives of busy hospital and facility employees much easier, as well as giving them back time, ease, and peace of mind. We are thankful to know the pioneers of NurseGrid and look forward to working with them in the future!
2. GPS Systems
One useful new technology in nursing is the ability to locate equipment in real-time. There have been many instances where nurses and providers alike have not been able to quickly locate necessary equipment in a timely manner, or at all. This is a safety concern first and foremost, but also, this type of “loss” trickles all the way into hospital budgeting as equipment needs to be accessible. To save time and costs of replacements, one of the technological advances in nursing provides chips for tracking specific medical devices. In addition, this same type of technology also provides patient monitoring. Elderly patients, patients with Alzheimer’s, or mental illness patients can also be monitored via a wristband or pin that alerts healthcare personnel if a border is crossed to prevent injury or unsafe wandering. In the case of an emergency, nursing technology within GPS systems can also detect emergency calls if safety is vulnerable.
3. Wireless and Bluetooth Charting
Another new technology in nursing is the use of chips and sensors within patient devices, beds, and vital machines that automatically and wirelessly chart patient information for nurses. This new technology in nursing not only saves time, but also prevents medical error by accurately charting vital information as a computer generated value. This nursing technology can record movement, weight, blood pressure, sleep patterns, etc., while also alerting the nursing staff of any abrupt changes or danger zones. Overall, this improves patient care and creates an environment of accurate monitoring. Nurses can trust this type of technology and rely on those values to assist them in making important clinical decisions for the outcome of their patients.
4. Smart TVs
One of the “coolest” new technologies in nursing is the adoption of the Smart TV. Not only can the patient utilize this technology for entertainment, but this has also become a fantastic method of communication. Treatment plans, appointments, discharge information, and medication instructions can all be provided within smart nursing technology to patients removing the errors in communication that can be committed by nurses who may communicate differently or, too medically for the patient’s understanding. The patients can also use the Smart TVs to report symptoms, order food, call housekeeping, etc., which saves the nurse’s time allowing for better patient care and encouraging independence, competence and decision-making. This technology in nursing also impedes boredom and improves comfort during a hospital stay. The majority of people see this as a way to individualize their hospital stay as well as take full control and responsibility for their health before discharge.
5. Patient Records
A new technology in nursing that involves safety is the housing of patient records and the easy access to pertinent patient information as well as medical information. The development of barcode scanning as a new technology in nursing of both the patient wristband and medication before administrations provide vital information to prevent medical errors. Patient information such as test results, medications, allergies, and history can all be accessed easily via barcode scanning with accuracy. It is also important to scan medications to ensure it is the right medication, the right patient, and the right dose improves care, too. This nursing technology also allows the providers to send patient and medication information to a smartphone, computer, tablet, etc. for quick reference and safe treatment options from anywhere.
6. Robots
Talk about accuracy, this technological advancement in nursing is computer programmed care and…wait for it…SURGERY! One of the most widely used new technologies in nursing is the robotic or laparoscopic technology. These machines perform, via surgeon instruction, surgeries without the surgeon actually moving the medical equipment. The surgeon sits at a computer and performs the surgery across the room through hand movements that tell the robot where to go. This new technology in nursing applies specifically to nurses because operating room nurses have had to adapt to this new type of surgery as well as understand the new complications and after-care. The role of the OR nurse has shifted, but overall, this new technology in nursing has improved patient outcomes as a whole and increased safety in the operating room.
There have been many technological advances in nursing and they have all aimed to improve patient care and the experience of the nursing community as they do their day-to-day jobs. The technology in nursing will continue to change with the time and continue to save time, costs, and energy with safer options for completing tasks. New technologies in nursing should be embraced as improvements, but also the responsibility of properly and adequately training nurses on new technology is vital to its success. The new technology in nursing will only be successful if the nurses know how to use it, why it is important to use it, and how to explain it to another nurse. That way, the generations of nurses that continue to work will thrive in the opportunity of technology.