IT & Technology Update

Through the years, technology has played a role in almost everything that we do. It has changed the way that we do things and how we live our lives. There are so many wonderful things that we can attribute to technology and it’s no wonder that we’ve become dependent on it in the meantime. What we simply can’t exist without these days may not have even existed years ago. Technology has shaped professions as well and the manner in which people handle their responsibilities. One such profession that has changed quite a bit with the evolution of technology is nursing. There are many ways, both good and bad, that have changed up due to technology in the nursing profession.

It Allows More Accurate Patient Detail

What makes technology so helpful to nurses everywhere is the fact that they can quickly and easily pull up patient information. As they are interacting with patients, they can often see their medical history, ensure there are no allergies or other health problems, and determine anything required about the patient so that they can deliver the care that is best for them. While it may have taken a great deal of time to flip through files or access the information that they needed before, now with technology they can get everything they need right at their fingertips. This comes in very handy for the nurse and is quite comforting to the patient as well.

It Ensures Quick and Effective Patient Care

Though many people may be scared of technology and fear that it results in incorrect diagnoses or less than stellar patient care, it’s often just the opposite. Many people would agree that technology allows the care provided to be more effective, more efficient, and more accurate in nature. It also ensures a quick delivery, as nurses can get the answers that they need and even communicate with other required medical staff. This means that patients don’t have to wait excessively long to get the care that they need, nor do they have to worry that the care that they are getting is lacking in its effectiveness.

It Can Make Patients Feel Like a Number

Along with all the good that patient care can bring comes some bad as well. Some patients may feel that all of the technology that surrounds them in a hospital or medical setting results in them getting less human contact. This can be frustrating for many people as they feel that nurses should be present and helpful on a regular basis. Many machines are conditioned and set to handle some of the workload that nurses used to handle on their own. So this can be a double edged sword as nurses are happy to have the extra help, but patients feel a bit cheated in this scenario as they have to seek out human care and interaction. As with any aspect of technology however, there are positives and negatives and therefore nursing is really no different than anything else.

MM Frederick enjoys discussing how to enroll in an RN to MSN bridge program.