Nursing no longer follows standard guidelines. Previously as a nurse, your notepad and pencil were sufficient in tracking down patient progress. But the number of inaccuracies and inconsistencies in details were far too profound. However, as technology expanded and lucrative concepts like artificial intelligence, big data, and machine learning started aligning themselves with the sector, nursing also transformed with these advancements.
Digitization has wholly taken over nursing, allowing you to provide exceptional patient care without missing a beat. You can record patient information, transfer data, and make necessary updates to their details without the need to pull out physical files. So how is technology becoming a spearhead and paving a path for nurses to focus more on looking after patients? Here’s what you need to know:
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⦁ Opportunistic Nursing Degree
The healthcare sector emphasizes education, especially if you seek a better position as a nurse and want more autonomous roles in providing patient care. However, balancing a career and pursuing an advanced degree is not exactly easy because nursing school has its own demands, including mandatory clinical hours and a glimpse into research. What makes it easier is that technology has become a significant stakeholder in the sector and changed many things. Qualifications like an online nurse practitioner program are within your grasp. These self-paced degrees allow you to work provisionally and become a student when you have the time.
The curriculum and the coursework are exceptionally comprehensive. You don’t have to worry about missing out on any fundamental topic. You’ll have the skills, knowledge, and techniques that make you the perfect nurse practitioner by the time you graduate. Even if you were only a registered nurse, becoming an NP allows you to stand shoulder to shoulder with general physicians enabling you to provide primary care in a controlled environment. Almost 22 states in the US also recognize your newly found capability and grant you full access to patients without the need of a physician present.
⦁ Using Electronic Health Records
Conventional methods of documenting a patient’s health are now outdated. Electronic health charts have since taken over, giving you the space to record patient information without worrying about messing up. You can quickly learn how these charts work and begin updating patient information as you question them with slight effort. The EHR is generally connected to the centralized hospital database. So when you’re entering data, the database picks up these additions. Doctors can also use the database to brief themselves on the patient’s condition no matter where they are in the hospital. The EHR also closely follows the HIPAA codes, which encrypts the data, and unless you’re authorized personnel, you cannot tap into confidential information as you please. The digitized notes come in handy when performing notes, and we need to know what aspects of the patients require inspection.
⦁ Automatic IV Pumps
Blood infusions or using IVs, in general, is a tedious process. As a nurse, you should ensure the patient is secure with the needle. This allows the iV fluid to seep into the patient without wasting medication. However, keeping an eye on the dosage is a mundane task. It also results in many repetitions when you as a nurse have to keep doing rounds to ensure that the fusion is working. But automated IV pumps are the latest piece on the market. These use complex software that controls the dose the patient needs to get. This is a phenomenal jump from the conventional way of administering the drugs for those getting treated for cancer. Automatic pumps also don’t fall out quickly, so the patient can take a nap in the same position. In case the dosage needs adjusting, the pump takes care of it. As a nurse, your time is pivotal in managing other work, and you can’t deviate from all of it by looking after IVs. You’re also notified when the patient is done for the day so you can take them off the needle and put on a bandaid.
⦁ Smart Beds
Patients tend to fall out of bed. This is because their bodies are adjusting to their new environment and condition. Most hospital beds also have a flimsy railing which cannot prevent falls if the patient rolls over. But smart beds are a game-changer. These are medically designed beds with anti-fall and anti-rolling over features allowing the patient to stay in one place with a sturdy railing. These beds also come with sensors informing you of the patient’s vital health without the need for you to pull out the apparatus. Those confined to bed may find it easier to engage with this product and lift themselves. Additionally, intelligent beds offer back and neck support necessary for a recovering patient.
⦁ Wearable Devices
Patients have autonomy over their health. They no longer need hospitals to manage the most minute aspects of their well-being and use devices to inform them about their overall well-being. These include monitoring their blood glucose levels, heart rate, and breathing rate. Some devices also come with call detection and notify an emergency contact if the patient doesn’t get up after a nasty fall. This is most useful for older patients who may have bad legs or hips and are prone to more mishaps. In addition, patients can sync their health data across their devices and share it with you. This allows you to update their charts with minimal hassle and forgo the process of constantly asking for vitals. Some devices also detect sleeping rates. So if the patient has insomnia, the watch can pick it up and add it to the chart. This can encourage patients to ask about their sleeping routine and find a schedule that allows them to get a good rest. As a nurse, using both data can help you keep the patient on the safe side.
Final Thoughts
Technology has changed healthcare. From manually checking if the patient is doing well, digital devices have taken over. These tools facilitate healthcare by making your job easier. You no longer have to worry about going down the long route in providing patients with care. As technology expands and more advancements take over, expect better outcomes.
