Prevalence of Technology in Care Settings
Technology in care settings is one of the concepts found in chapter one of the textbook. Healthcare technologies include EHRs, artificial intelligence, IT systems, medical devices, blockchain, algorithms and the cloud. These technologies are designed to support the effective operations of healthcare organizations. In healthcare settings, technology is used to minimize errors, protect patients’ privacy, prevent adverse drug reactions and improve overall care.
Technologies such as EHRs have been adopted by about 99% of hospitals in the United States and physicians represent the only department running below the expected figure. The hospital and physician office settings are behind in the adoption of EHRs. Many technologies are always found at the point of care or bedside and these comprise computer terminals, literature databases and access point records that monitor biometric measures like blood pressure and pulse. The other technology applied in healthcare for patient safety includes smart technology and medication dispensing cabinets. It is noted that smart technology comprises infusion pumps that enhance the administration of medication by linking with the pharmacy, provider order entry and systems of medication administration. These technologies used in healthcare also include implantable devices like defibrillators, insulin pumps, pacemakers and several telehealth technologies like telestroke consultations. The telestroke consultations enhance communication between stroke patients, caregivers and attending families with the neurologist from another site.
Technology in healthcare is analysed and evaluated based on several measures such as cost-benefits, failure analysis and technology benchmarking. Based on failure analysis, good technology is supposed to have no or limited failures during applications. Failure analysis asses the technology for several failures. The errors of technology should be captured during analysis to prevent users’ inconveniences and frustrations. Bench-making involves comparing available technologies with expected healthcare outcomes. This will include measures that determine the best practice mastery, performance, and best models of practice. Healthcare technologies should meet the benchmark‘s expectations. Based on cost-benefit analysis, technologies are implemented in healthcare for benefits such as improving efficiency.
Orem’s theory of self-care
This theory is one of the concepts from chapter two of the textbook. The theory provides a framework for studying patients with chronic diseases. Orem’s theory considers self-care as the activities people should participate in to restore, maintain and improve their health, life and well-being. It emphasizes the abilities of individuals to perform self-care.
Orem’s theory of self-care is used in healthcare to help nurses determine the aspects of patient care and what they should concentrate on when dealing with a patient. The theory is noted to stress the importance of patients maintaining autonomy over their processes of self-care. The theory guides nurses on how they should intervene to help patients in maintaining autonomy. Orem’s theory enables nurses to determine if the patient is experiencing a self-care deficit by gathering information about the patient such as needs, goals, health and capacity. The theory helps nurses implement strategies that help patients deal with their self-care deficit and also work with patients to help them meet their self-care needs. For instance, nurses can provide reminders and motivation for self-care as a way of helping patients maintain their hygiene.
The theory is analysed and evaluated based on the principle of self-care which is achieved after enhancing well-being and health among people. These people or patients should perform these activities independently with the help of nurses to achieve self-care. The theory is evaluated based on the personal responsibilities of patients that enables them to achieve good health. In addition, this theory should also be analysed and evaluated based on the efforts of nurses in preventing patient injuries, diseases and training for the betterment of health.
Data Sharing
Data sharing is another concept selected from chapter three of the textbook. Data sharing is defined as the process of availing the same data resources for several users, applications and organizations. This process includes practices, technologies, cultural elements and legal frameworks which facilitate secure access to data for several entities without data integrity compromising. Healthcare information is shared or exchanged with various systems to improve care quality, minimize redundant tests and improve public confidence in healthcare settings.
An excellent example of data sharing is when doctors share information about recent patients ‘visits with hospital consultants or physiotherapists. Healthcare providers are noted to gather data about the health of patients and use it in understanding their medical history. This information is shared between systems to enable the different service providers to see and understand the patient’s medical records. Data sharing improves workflows and collaboration of providers in healthcare. It also improves the accuracy and security of data used in the coordination of care while availing the right data at the right time to the right people. Data sharing also helps healthcare providers and scientists to research new drugs, treatments, and devices and also enables health professionals to gain more understanding of the diseases affecting patients.
The data sharing concept in healthcare is analysed and evaluated based on the impacts it causes on healthcare, trustworthiness and timeliness. The data sharing process should positively better the health of patients since it involves exchanging the medical records of patients. This process should result in the invention of new medicine and treatment practices. The data-sharing process should also be trusted by all parties involved in the exchange of data. The shared data should be valid, reasonable and understandable without any biases. Lastly, the process of exchanging data or health information should be timely, meaning that the information should be transmitted electronically and delivered on time to enable healthcare providers and professionals to take immediate action.
Reference
Hebda, T. L., Czar, P., & Hunter, K. (2018). Handbook of Informatics for Nurses & Healthcare Professionals (6th ed.). Pearson Education (US).
write