NR 512 Week 5 HealthIT Topic of Week Assignment

Name

Chamberlain University

NR-512: Fundamentals of Nursing Informatics

Prof. Name

Date

Telemedicine and Telehealth in Health Care

Introduction

The delivery of healthcare is vital in improving quality, cost-effectiveness, and speed while enhancing the relationship between healthcare providers and patients. A significant concern is the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, which has increased by 40% and is projected to reach 50% by 2023. Additionally, the shortage of nurses poses a major challenge in providing adequate healthcare (Weinstein et al., 2014). Telemedicine and telehealth utilize technology to offer reliable and efficient healthcare services that can improve quality and speed while lowering costs (Krupinski & Bernard, 2014). Nurses must possess knowledge of technology and informatics to provide effective care. The increasing demand for telemedicine has encouraged policymakers, healthcare organizations, and patient advocacy groups to adopt these technologies. This paper explores the modern need for telemedicine and telehealth, its impact on nursing practices, and the role of nursing informatics in implementing telehealth to simplify healthcare delivery.

Need for Telemedicine and Telehealth

Policies like the Affordable Care Act (ACA) aim to deliver quality care while reducing costs by minimizing healthcare complexities. The current healthcare paradigm emphasizes efficient delivery and accessibility. Remote patients often struggle to access healthcare services, and hospitals in remote areas cannot provide intensive or emergency care without a proper system in place (Kvedar, Coye & Everett, 2014). Nurse shortages lead to overcrowding in emergency rooms, resulting in delays in care (Weinstein et al., 2014). Family nurse practitioners, in particular, require support from physicians for both emergency situations and routine check-ups. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has endorsed the use of telemedicine for efficient and appropriate longitudinal care delivery. Technologies such as electronic prescriptions, telecommunication, virtual check-ups, remote monitoring, and tele-education are essential to healthcare today (Krupinski & Bernard, 2014). Thus, telemedicine requires further discussion to explore both its advantages and challenges in improving care delivery.

Impact of Telemedicine on Nursing Practice

Telemedicine services include various specialties such as Telepsychiatry, Teledermatology, Teleophthalmology, Teleoncology, Teleobstetrics, and Telerehabilitation, among others. These services are integral to nursing practice, particularly for family nurse practitioners who work under challenging conditions. Nurses are responsible for monitoring patients’ vital signs and delivering care (Kvedar, Coye & Everett, 2014). In emergencies, telemedicine allows physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide immediate assistance, enhancing care efficiency (Weinstein et al., 2014). Delivering care to patients in remote areas remains a significant challenge, but telemedicine facilitates the initial assessment, guidance, and monitoring by connecting healthcare professionals across distances.

Telemedicine also enables nurses to diagnose patients earlier, which can reduce healthcare costs by providing timely treatment. Educating patients and managing their rehabilitation remotely can decrease hospital readmissions (Kvedar, Coye & Everett, 2014). Additionally, telehealth has contributed to a reduction in mortality rates and complications, while home monitoring further lowers care costs and alleviates hospital overcrowding.

NR 512 Week 5 HealthIT Topic of Week Assignment

Community programs are a vital component of telemedicine, as they connect healthcare professionals directly with patients, empowering them to participate actively in their healthcare. Telemedicine enhances patient safety through real-time monitoring, electronic prescriptions, and better documentation (Krupinski & Bernard, 2014). Nurses must remain proficient in technology and up-to-date with the latest tools to ensure timely care delivery. Telehealth ICUs or eICUs have been shown to reduce mortality by 12–30% and shorten hospital stays. However, nurses encounter several challenges in telemedicine, such as navigating regulatory guidelines, ensuring data privacy, and adhering to legal standards. Nurses must collaborate effectively with other professionals to make accurate decisions in care delivery.

Maintaining patient-nurse relationships is critical to patient recovery, but telemedicine presents limitations in this aspect. Periodic monitoring and data sharing can help maintain these relationships, but it also raises concerns about data privacy and security. Telemedicine’s reliance on electronic prescribing and the risk of incorrect diagnoses introduces further challenges, requiring nurses to stay informed about legal, ethical, and regulatory standards to ensure safe and effective care.

Nurse’s Informatics Skills and Knowledge

Telemedicine relies heavily on technology, including electronic health records (EHRs), communication tools, and remote care delivery systems. Nurses must possess strong informatics skills to manage patient information and collaborate across disciplines to deliver patient-centered care (Weinstein et al., 2014). Knowledge of cross-state regulations is essential to providing effective care, especially when navigating telemedicine’s legal complexities. Nurses must also be proficient in using technology to enhance communication, document patient progress, and contribute to case studies. Educating patients and families through technology-based tools like guidelines and self-management plans is another critical aspect of nursing informatics. By coordinating care with families, nurses can improve patient outcomes (Taylor et al., 2014).

Conclusion

Telemedicine plays a crucial role in reducing healthcare complexities, such as limited access to care, long wait times, and high costs. Its impact on nursing practice is significant, providing tools to improve the speed, quality, and accessibility of care. However, challenges such as regulatory issues, privacy concerns, and the need to maintain patient relationships persist. By embracing informatics and technology, nurses can overcome these challenges and contribute to the ongoing success of telemedicine in healthcare. With proper knowledge and adherence to guidelines, telemedicine can help alleviate hospital overcrowding and address the shortage of nurses in the United States.

References

Krupinski, E., & Bernard, J. (2014). Standards and Guidelines in Telemedicine and Telehealth. Healthcare, 2(1), 74-93. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare2010074

Kvedar, J., Coye, M., & Everett, W. (2014). Connected Health: A Review Of Technologies And Strategies To Improve Patient Care With Telemedicine And Telehealth. Health Affairs, 33(2), 194-199. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2013.0992

Taylor, J., Coates, E., Brewster, L., Mountain, G., Wessels, B., & Hawley, M. (2014). Examining the use of telehealth in community nursing: Identifying the factors affecting frontline staff acceptance and telehealth adoption. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 71(2), 326-337. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.12480

NR 512 Week 5 HealthIT Topic of Week Assignment

Weinstein, R., Lopez, A., Joseph, B., Erps, K., Holcomb, M., Barker, G., & Krupinski, E. (2014). Telemedicine, Telehealth, and Mobile Health Applications That Work: Opportunities and Barriers. The American Journal of Medicine, 127(3), 183-187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.09.032