How Technology Has Transformed the Field of Nursing?

From time-saving software to life-saving equipment, technology in nursing is indispensable to enhancing patient care and outcomes, fostering nursing innovation, and promoting safety. Today's technology lets nurses improve processes, better manage workloads, and boost team communication. Best of all, nursing technology provides carers with more quality time to connect with their patients and include them in their care and treatment.

The Top New Technologies in Nursing

Nursing technology continues to improve, with almost unlimited applications. Let us explore these technologies that are transforming the nursing field to offer higher-quality patient care and outcomes.

Electronic Health Records (EHRs)

With EHR systems widely replacing paper charts and data, nurses can access patient information in real time. This effective data management application lowers mistakes, simplifies paperwork, and promotes communication within the healthcare team. One fast-growing sector that leverages EHR systems is nursing informatics, which combines technology and data to boost patient care.

Portable Diagnostic Devices

From handheld vital sign monitors to portable ECG and ultrasound gadgets, nurses may quickly and efficiently administer on-the-spot treatment in diverse health care settings. These technologies also allow patients to be more involved in their treatment and health management from their homes. Self-monitoring allows patients to increase communication and teamwork with their healthcare team.

Robotic Assistance

Robotic "colleagues" assist eases nurse’s tasks, saving precious time, energy, and physical and emotional strain. Cobots, or collaborative robots, undertake repetitive activities so nurses may focus on more critical problems. They also aid with physically intensive jobs to prevent workplace injuries. Robotic carts can take over regular jobs, including transferring lab specimens, disposable equipment, and prescriptions. There’s even artificial intelligence (AI) to draw blood.

Electronic Medication Management Systems (EMMS)

EMMS is crucial in expediting medication management, decreasing mistakes, and enhancing patient safety. The system comprises features for prescribing, administering, dispensing, reviewing, and disposing of medicine. EMMS also lowers the possibility of mistakes due to illegible handwriting, inaccurate prescriptions, or dosage instructions.

Telehealth increases opportunities for Care

The COVID-19 crisis spurred the introduction of telehealth technology, and it continues to be necessary in helping nurses contact patients outside the clinical environment. Those in rural places or with restricted mobility can obtain medical consultations and follow-up treatment from home. Telehealth also allows carers to remotely monitor patients with chronic diseases.

Improving patient care through technology

With the help of technology nurses helps patients using high-tech gait training equipment with a virtual reality screen, highlighting the integration of sophisticated technology in nursing rehabilitation.

New nursing technology delivers cost-effective solutions, promotes safety, improves patient outcomes, and offers a better work-life balance for nurses.

Let’s look at different ways technology influences nursing practice.

Technology facilitates communication

From text messaging applications to standardised tools that rectify miscommunications in patient handoffs, new communications technology helps nursing teams eliminate fragmented care and make procedures run more cohesively.

Patients have improved access to medical records

Patients have the right under Australian privacy law to examine their medical records when asked. Having safe and modern EHR software that’s straightforward and intuitive makes the delivery process effortless. It also empowers patients by providing them greater influence over decisions about their health.

Fewer obstacles lead to better health equity. People in distant locations in Australia are more likely to die prematurely from heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Telehealth can enable access to elderly and immunocompromised patients, especially those with restricted mobility or who reside in rural places.

Less job demands lessen nurse burnout. Nurses spend up to one-third of their shift completing basic duties like gathering supplies and picking up prescriptions. Technologies like smart wearable sensors that collect medical data and computerised medication management systems that expedite operations might reduce time-consuming obligations. These economies help nurses focus on more important activities and quality patient time while lowering the risk of nursing burnout.

In conclusion, by adopting new technology in nursing as it develops, carers may work more effectively to offer the best possible patient care. It also plays a key role in lessening the obstacles nurses confront routinely, lowering nurse fatigue, and boosting overall quality of care.

If you are interested in the field of nursing, get in touch with us at MWT Education Consultancy for more information.