Digital Trends in Nursing
Digital technology is exponentially growing in the healthcare setting, including its increase access into the community. New research studies are pinning down ways to utilize the advance technology available, such as in: mobile device apps detecting health effects on academic performance, EKG ambulatory monitor assessments reducing risk of strokes, to simple ear buds that detect heart rate and calories lost as well as other developing trends.
Raney Linck, MSN instructor from Minnesota school of Nursing, has created a blog based on digital trends occurring in nursing and healthcare. It was unique to view his outlook of creating such a blog, however the most recent post is fairly outdated, October of last year. One of his discussions was on mobile health apps (mHealth), being used in research to gather information on student’s overall health by just having the users cellphone in close proximity. Sensor data was collected and organized by the cellphone app installed known as, “StudentLife.” For example, the camera of a phone was able to tell when the lights were turned off in a room, detect the sleeping duration and amount of time a student was in a particular area. I never heard of such a study but it did intrigue my thoughts wondering how I, as a student, would rate among their study from my mental health effects in my academics and how I can improve it based on the data available. It also made me realize with this research how much work it must take to analyze all the data and who was responsible for that role.
It’s incredible how a software may collect accessible data by using a cellular app, however it takes a humans manual manipulation and labor to analyze. Linck brought up a good point, if we have all the data imaginable with increased use of mHealth apps or EKG ambulatory monitoring and other healthcare related vehicles who will analyze the data? Imagine the changes that can evolve if there was a new job description for this role, possibly RN’s to step up in this changing technologic era and utilize the data for improving outcomes in the community based on the set of identified problem areas.
Nursing will always have a necessity to become socially mindful with using newly updated software’s, applications and programs being used in their facility. Such as with documenting healthcare information in patient care for reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid. Then there is nursing assessments logged on the computer that allow easy access to trends in patient data such as their labs or imaging, MD/RN progress notes providing a larger picture of the entire patient. It may play a con with documentation say if there is downtime/power outage, I believe not all paper charting should be excluded as we will eventually need the reliable paper and pen practices in a critical event. The public has become more proactive in their care including the assistance of increased availability to their own medical records from home.
Another interesting study from an Australia, Concord Hospital are participating in this new technology advancement creating wristbands that record the patients vital signs including oxygen saturation which electronically sends to patients medical electronic record instantaneously. They plan to expand their line product to over 27 hospitals over the next three years, allowing benefits for safe and efficient patient care saving time and reducing human error (ANMJ, 2015). The information sought out during this search of the digital trends shows how technology can have meaningful use ensuring quality and safety while improving care communication and management.
References:
ANMJ. (2015). New wristband technology streamlining patient care. Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal, 23(1), 5.
Piscotty, R. , Kalisch, B. , & Gracey‐Thomas, A. (2015). Impact of healthcare information technology on nursing practice.Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 47(4), 287-293.
Linck, R. (2014, October 8). Digital trends in nursing. Retrieved September 7, 2015, from http://digitaltrendsinnursing.blogspot.com/
