Technology is not only limited to the development of the IT and business world. We usually see tech companies incorporate new technological advancements into their business processes. Still, the same goes for the health care industry. The health care sector continuously applies robust computer systems to keep track of patient treatments, organize patient profiles, and manage staff. Like other professionals from various medical sectors, nurse practitioners are also adapting to new and improved medical technology. Nurses have to become more comfortable using computers and IT systems because this technology is entering every health care sector.
Modern technological advancements have significantly transformed the way medical professionals store data and provide services. Due to this development, beginners and experienced nurses have learned the mechanics of using advanced equipment. Nursing schools are also creating innovative curriculums that are compatible with the modern technological environment. Health care providers use state of the art software and hardware to store and organize patient history. New information technology combines electronic health records and administrative data for efficient data storage and access. Informatics practitioners also use this technology to maximize the effectiveness of electronic health records. They can save, examine, and make decisions using real-time data.
Advanced technology has improved the quality of health services and enhanced treatment standards in hospitals. People argue that nurses focus more on technology and spend less time with their patients. Still, the improved results of patient satisfaction are undeniable. One of the most pertinent qualities of a good nurse includes their knowledge and skill for using the latest technology to treat their patients.
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HOW STAYING UP TO DATE WITH TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS HELPS NURSES
Improved Care Coordination
Advanced IT systems let multiple nurse practitioners simultaneously access, share, and update a patient’s medical record. They can even efficiently share their findings. Huge medical organizations with clinics in various places use a high-quality IT system, allowing staff to record and share every aspect of the treatment process. This interdisciplinary data sharing has significantly improved patient satisfaction and care coordination. This improvement further upgrades treatment management to create a smooth experience for both nurses and patients.
Efficient Scheduling
Nurses encounter various unexpected and counterproductive situations daily. These circumstances can worsen if a hospital is facing staffing shortages. To avoid such risks, health care managers use resource-demand management. This technology analyzes the number of cases and staff availability. Similarly, workforce-management has the same function with the addition of controlling costs and service quality.
Care for Patients in a Rural Setting
One of the most notable developments in the healthcare industry due to technological advancement is the remote care of patients in rural settings. Nurses can provide information and care from a distance to patients who cannot access immediate health care. However, the physical examination is limited and technical issues can lower the service quality. Nurses who have a packed schedule or find it challenging to travel daily can remotely monitor their patients without cutting their working hours.
Improved Patient Information Accessibility
Patient’s medical history and treatment records can be instantly accessed by all medical professionals working on a particular case. Specialists, lab technicians, physicians, and nurse practitioners can access relevant information and develop an informed treatment plan. Digital patient files are available anywhere, which means that nurses do not have to be physically present to update their file records. Patients can also access their records conveniently through this technology and stay up to date regarding their treatment. In this way, patients feel more satisfied and involved. Efficient communication between the staff about a patient’s treatment is essential for a smooth and satisfactory treatment process.
Reduced Overnight Stays
Statistics show that electronic record application has reduced the time required for examining patients. This reduction has led to a significant decrease in hospital stays for patients with minor injuries. Average patient stays have declined from 5.7 days to 5.5 days due to health IT systems. Practitioners and nurses will then have more time and resources to focus on severe cases since the hospital will be less crowded. Nurses can also manage their free time to avoid burnout and additional stress.
Safe and Efficient Staff Recruitment
Hospitals, especially smaller organizations, face significant issues with staffing due to several reasons. Nurse shortages, nurse burnout, lack of HR, and resource facilitation are a few examples of such problems. However, developed IT programs and software have provided an efficient solution. These programs create a user-friendly platform where nurses can request shifts based on their schedules. The algorithm can observe your pay rate, availability, reliability, and request patterns to suggest professionals who can cater to your specific needs. It ensures patient satisfaction and well-rested staff.
Lower Operational Costs
Health organizations can use advanced technological systems to allocate resources and cut down significantly on costs, staff’s shift time, and equipment usage. Such programs combine detailed data about specific patients and individual staff availability, skills, and even fatigue levels to give their patients the best quality care. This way, nurses will not be overworked and utilize their specific skill set to care for patients. Technology systems can also allocate supplies efficiently and track inventory, equipment checkouts, and refrigerator contents to avoid wastage.
CONCLUSION
Nurses can quickly feel burn out and overworked because of their packed schedules. However, advanced technology provides an easy solution for data organization, management, shift scheduling, and patient monitoring. Nurses need to stay up to date with new technology to stay relevant in the medical field.
