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Share your observations about how technology improves or does not improve healthcare quality. Discuss the impact on the following:

• Communication
• Caring
• Patients

Then, select one of the areas impacted—communication, caring, or patients—and propose a new technology (e.g., BCMA, CPOE, Telehealth) that could improve quality in that area. You are required to research at least two evidence-based resources and properly cite them in your post.

In responses to your peers, identify if you believe they recommended the best new technologies for the problems, or suggest an alternative technology.

Student 1

It has been my experience that technology has greatly improved healthcare quality. Over my 30 year nursing career I have seen many changes that help to avoid and prevent medical errors from happening. One change was the creation of healthcare information technology (HIT) which can be defined as the application of information processing that involves both computer hardware and software that deals with storage, retrieval, sharing and use of healthcare information, data and knowledge for communicating and decision making (Alotaibi, 2017). HIT reduces human errors, improves clinical outcomes, facilitates care coordination, improves the efficiency of practices and can track data over time. Working in the intensive care units, I have also notice the improvement of technology in the equipment that we use to care for patients. Equipment and procedures are much less invasive and safer then before. The guidelines for improving and standardizing equipment and enhancing educational programs has also improved the care that can be provided(Inoue et al, 2019).

A new technology that I would like to propose is the creation of wireless EKG monitoring. When a patient is connected to continuous 12 lead EKG the wires that are on the patient then connected to the monitor are so cumbersome. Often times they get pulled off inertly and cause false alarms. I had an experience where a patient had a 12 lead EKG in place and it was tethered thru his gown pocket up to the monitor. Unfortunately the patient heart rate slowed dangerously low and I called a code. My colleague ran in to the room and ripped my patients gown off …along with all the EKG leads. We were scrambling to replace them all as quickly as we could so we could identify the patients rate and rhythm. Ever since then I no longer tether the cords thru the pocket of the gowns and I try to share that experience with all the nurse – especially those new to the ICU. If the EKG were wireless and had some sort of sensing device that relayed back to the monitor it would be much more comfortable for the patients and just as efficient for staff.

References:

Alotaibi, Y., Federico, F., (2017). The impact of health information technology on patient safety. Saudi Medical Journal Vol 38 (12). 1173-1179.

Inoue, S. Hataleya, A., Kondo, Y., Hifumi, T. Sakuramoto, H. (2019). Post-intensive care syndrome: its pathophysiology, prevention, and future directions. Acute Medicine & Surgery Vol6: 233-246. doi:10.1002/ams2415

Student 2 

New Technology

With new technology, healthcare services places patientcare as a priority towards maintaining patient wellness by empowering patients to take responsibility of their own health (Nash et. al, 2019; Using, 2008). According to the Institute of Medicine and the Affordable Care Act of 2011, patient-centered care, identifies patient empowerment with tools and technologies to store, retrieve, and manage their personal health information, resulting in better health information management, exchange, and usage (Nash et. al, 2019; Using, 2008). New technology such as e-health improve the quality of healthcare services among communication, caring for patients, and assisting patients with care responsibilities. New technology within healthcare organizations includes services like barcode medication administration (BCMA) systems, computerized provider order entry (CPOE) systems, and Telehealth (Nash et. al, 2019). The usage of new technology such as BCMA and Telehealth is reducing errors by fifty-five percent within communication among service providers (i.e., patients, physicians, and insurances), and improves patient safety, regarding the ‘five rights’ of medication use- right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time (Sneha & Straub, 2017; Using, 2008).”

Bar-coded medication administration (BCMA) helps better identify patients, which reduces medication errors. Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) helps eliminate misinterpretation of illegible written orders. And connecting homebound patients to providers (Telehealth) has reduced hospital readmissions. However, even with these technological advancements, healthcare still faces challenges with overall quality and safety (Nash et. al, 2019). New technology usage in a healthcare faculty such as Tower Health at Home, in Berks County, because it helps provides better quality services through proper communication among services providers and patients. Within the whole organization facility, it also improves quality of services and care among patients through system considerations, medication implication, and organization framework changing culture diversity, reducing care workload, and addressing reporting capability (Nash et. al, 2019; Using, 2008).