Application of Technology in Nursing and Patient Education



Application of Technology in Nursing and Patient EducationMary Beth JonesNUR-649E Grand Canyon UniversityFebruary 3, 2016Dr. Margie FranciscoApplication of Technology in Nursing and Patient EducationEffects of Mobile Technology in Nursing and Patient EducationIn response to the call of the Institute of Medicine (2011) to increase patient safety and provide quality care through the use of informatics and technology, mobile technology in the form of smartphones, laptops, netbooks, and personal digital assistants, undoubtedly, has exponentially grown in its utilization in both academic and healthcare institutions (Yoost, 2011). The availability of mobile technology is able to provide easy access to patient data, provide reference guide and training tool, facilitate handoff communication, and support clinical decision making. Clinicians and other health care providers are able to communicate and monitor patient remotely allowing to provide care without delay. Patients rely heavily on their mobile device to access medical information, monitor their health, and track down their fitness or well-being. Nursing education has advocated the use of mobile devices to students to facilitate instant access of best practice information that can be applied both in the classroom and clinical practice settings (Yoost, 2011). A plethora of nursing references accessible through the mobile device that can be used in classroom, lab, and point of care, are readily available at one’s fingertips.Significance of Mobile TechnologyIn today’s complex and fast-paced healthcare environment, patient safety is compromised. One way to reduce errors especially medication administration and to promote patient safety is to utilize mobile technology (Beard, Greenfield, Morote & Walter, 2011). In the educational settings, reports in the literature suggest that mobile devices serve as a viable tool in improving student achievement. Using mobile references, nursing students and nurses are able to instantly access drug information for safe administration, search for laboratory and diagnostic testing, look up for nursing diagnosis and safe practices. Resources of current evidence-based practices for patient education based on medical diagnosis are available via mobile technology. Yoost (2011) emphasized that, using mobile references during simulation help enhance students’ ability to analyze and synthesize critical information. Because mobile devices periodically update its content, current and evidence-based information at the point of care is always available. With this feature, patients can receive current, reliable, effective, and safe care (Day-Black & Merrill, 2015). Nursing education can promote patient safety as well as enhancing learning through integrating useful strategy such as informatics-based approach.Situations in which the use of Mobile Device would be AdvantageousClinicians are constantly challenged to make accurate and reliable clinical decision-making while providing patient care. The use of mobile technology in the classroom and clinical setting as asserted by Day-Black & Merrill (2015), can provide immediate and timely communication, retrieve available information on assessment, procedures and skills, diagnosis and disease process, medications, and treatment modalities. Features such as mobility and wealth of resources that could be quickly accessed are valued by health professionals and nursing students. Several literatures support that using mobile devices has decreased the medication errors and adverse drug events rate thus improving quality patient care.Patients have widespread access to mobile technology which has undoubtedly changed the way in which people access health information and experience the provision of care. Patients have better opportunity to participate in making informed decision-making, and therefore, increasing their self-efficacy to participate in managing their health (Day-Black & Merrill, 2015).Situations in which the use of Mobile Device would be DisadvantageousAlthough the benefits of utilizing mobile technology is vast, it comes without challenges. Potential breach in personal and patient confidentiality and security have been reported to be a barrier in maintaining compliance with HIPAA regulation which is important in the health care delivery system. The rise in patient data losses in health care has been reported, citing lost or stolen mobile devices (Lewis, 2011). Providers and other clinicians reported to rely on mobile devices to store, collect, and transmit health information. Health care organizations cannot undermine a comprehensive measure and policy in place to help protect privacy and security.In a situation wherein an institution cannot meet the requirements of security and privacy regulation, violation of such has legal repercussions. Enforcing security and privacy measures should be of utmost priority of every institutions to protect privacy of patient information. Thomas and Botha (2007) recommend that, guideline and policy for utilizing mobile devices within and outside the organization must be clearly specified. Yoost (2011) added that, nursing faculty should review policy with their students in compliance with the hospital regulations. Distractions while using the mobile device has been raised as an issue in the medical profession. Inappropriate use of this device can cause a person to get distracted and less focused in the task at hand and the potential to commit error is eminent. For example, during handoff reporting when the incoming staff is answering personal text or emails while taking the report, some important information could have been missed, and as a consequence, safety issue is compromised. Sergeeva et al. (2015) recommend that, using mobile devices for non-work related activities while at work such as using social media sites, non-work related internet use, playing games, personal email and messaging and any activities not aligned to the institution’s policy must be avoided.Mobile Technology as it relates to Professional Standards and Competencies Nursing organizations such as the National League for Nursing (NLN), Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN), and American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), have advocated the use of technology in nursing education and in the clinical settings in response to the IOM’s recommendation of incorporating technology to improve patient safety and quality of care (Yoost, 2011). The challenge to transform nursing practice and education to adopt information technology and medical innovations designed to improve patient care, has led to the formation of Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform (TIGER) Initiative. TIGER initiative aims to provide nurses with informatics and technology skill sets and competencies, requisite to practice nursing in a high-technology environment (Hebda & Calderone, 2010). Computer and information literacy and skills in informatics are being integrated at all levels of nursing and across the different generations. Using mobile technology has been reported to increase nurses’ confidence, reinforce core knowledge and skills, improve communication and interpersonal skills, and develop better decision making which are essential to patient care and nursing profession (Day-Black & Merrill, 2015).ReferencesBeard, K., Greenfield, S., Morote, E., & Walter, R. (2011, May/June). Mobile technology: Lessons learned along the way. Nurse Educator, 36(3), 103-106. Retrieved from , C., & Merrill, E. (2015, Fall). Using mobile devices in nursing education. ABNF Journal, 26(4), 78-83.Hebda, T., & Calderone, T. (2010, March/April). What nurse educators need to know about the TIGER initiative. Nurse Educator, 35(2), 56-60. Retrieved from , N. (2011). Patient data losses jump 32%: Growing use of mobile devices in healthcare has intesified the security risk associated with managing patient data. The Iowa Nurse Reporter, 22. Retrieved from , A., Aij, K., van den Hoof, B., & Huysman, M. (2015). Mobile devices in the operating room: Intended and unintended consequences for nurses' work. Health Informatics Journal, 10. Retrieved from , G., & Botha, R. (2007, Fall). Secure mobile device use in healthcare guidnace from HIPAA and ISO 17799. Information Systems Management, 24(4), 333-342.Yoost, B. (2011). Mobile technology & nursing education, practice. Advance for Nurses. Retrieved from ................
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