The current health systems are dynamic, necessitating the use of technology, especially in nursing. With the increasing life expectancy and nursing shortage, medical technologies must be integrated into healthcare to improve service delivery and health outcomes. Some of the technologies that nurses use daily include electronic health records, barcode medication administration, and computerized provider order entry (Moore et al., 2020). This journal assignment seeks to discuss the role of information technology in improving patient care, the forces driving the use of technology, barriers facing technology implementation in healthcare, and how nurses advocate for equitable patient care.
Role Of Information Management in Improving Patient Care Technologies
Currently, nurses have more technology at their disposal than before. Technology is used in the management of health information. Health informatics nurses improve patient care through improved documentation. The patient’s medical history is organized and stored in electronic records. With connected devices, nurses can collect specific information about patients in real time and transmit it to health records. They can also make decisions regarding patient care. In like manner, electronic records can provide crucial information regarding dangerous treatment or allergic reactions, which will help increase patient safety. Additionally, information management improves care coordination because the information is quickly relayed between healthcare professionals (Astier et al., 2020). Therefore, information management is crucial in improving patient care.
Forces Driving Healthcare Towards Using Healthcare Information Technologies in Patient Care
The first force driving technology use in healthcare institutions is cost. Healthcare systems face the challenge of increasing costs yet low outcome quality. According to Moore et al. (2018), technology has been found to eliminate the challenge of cost because it increases the efficiency of nurses. Healthcare organizations can deliver quality care with limited resources, especially nurses. Secondly, technology is crucial in the reduction of harm in patients. According to Astier et al. (2020), technology automates events, facilitates information sharing, intercepts potential errors, and improves decision-making.
Barriers Economically Struggling Areas Face with Access to Technology
Economically struggling areas mainly consist of rural areas, and underdeveloped nations face barriers to accessing technology (Rural Health Information Hub, 2019). Due to high costs, computer hardware and software are unavailable for maintaining health information technology. Also, the problem of internet unavailability makes it hard to make critical evidence-based decisions. Another barrier is financial constraints for training required personnel and acquiring the required infrastructure. Lack of professional education in health informatics may also hinder technology usage in health.
How Nurses Advocate for Equitable Patient Care
Nurses can advocate for equitable patient care through policies. According to Williams, Phillips, & Koyama (2018), social determinants of health include social justice, poverty, and inequality. The economically disadvantaged people, especially those living in rural areas, are affected by policy and have poor health outcomes. Therefore, nurses should advocate for policies that improve the social conditions surrounding the well-being of poor and disadvantaged populations. The policies will interrupt the cycle of poverty, poor health, and disadvantage, thereby promoting equity.
Technology has changed how the healthcare industry operates. Currently, nurses have access to technology that they can use to improve patient outcomes. Technology can easily share information regarding patients’ conditions among healthcare professionals. Also, the information can be used to make critical decisions on treatment plans. The significant forces towards using technology include costs and quality of care. Barriers facing technology implementation include a lack of qualified personnel, internet, and funds to acquire the software and hardware. Notably, Nurses can ensure equity in healthcare by advocating for policies that improve the social conditions related to health outcomes.
References
Astier, A., Carlet, J., Hoppe-Tichy, T., Jacklin, A., Jeanes, A., McManus, S., … & Fitzpatrick, R. (2020). What is the role of technology in improving patient safety? A French, German, and UK healthcare professional perspective. Journal of Patient Safety and Risk Management, 25(6), 219-224.
Moore, E. C., Tolley, C. L., Bates, D. W., & Slight, S. P. (2020). A systematic review of the impact of health information technology on nurses’ time. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 27(5), 798-807.
Rural Health Information Hub. (2019, May 21). Barriers to Telehealth in rural areas – RHIhub toolkit. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/toolkits/telehealth/1/barriers
Williams, S. D., Phillips, J. M., & Koyama, K. (2018). Nurse Advocacy: Adopting a health in all policies approach. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(3).
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