NR 447 Week 7 Discussion

NR 447 Week 7 Discussion

Name

Chamberlain University

NR-447: RN Collaborative Healthcare

Prof. Name

Date

Advantages of Using Company Devices for Professional Communication

Mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, have become commonplace in healthcare environments, proving advantageous for healthcare professionals. According to Ventola (2014), “health care systems are often highly dispersed, encompassing multiple locations such as clinics, inpatient wards, outpatient services, emergency departments, operating theaters, intensive care units, and labs.” These mobile devices effectively operate as handheld computers, offering numerous applications that assist healthcare professionals in various tasks, such as communication, accessing health records, monitoring patients, and clinical decision-making. In my view, mobile devices provide numerous benefits for healthcare professionals, equipping them with essential tools that enhance not only communication but also patient outcomes.

In my facility, floor nurses do not receive company-provided cellphones, with the exception of supervisors, and the only mobile device available for nurses is utilized for wound care. This device resembles a standard smartphone but features a specialized application for weekly wound measurement rounds. To access this app, I log in using my passcode, where all patients are listed alongside the types and locations of their wounds. After cleaning a wound, I must photograph it, though the app does not measure depth or undermining; I manually input this information. The photo can be cropped and adjusted to the actual measurement needed. Once all information is entered and saved, the image automatically disappears, transferring only the measurements and locations to the patient’s Electronic Medical Administration Record (EMAR). I consider this process secure; however, some may argue that using cellphones can lead to potential breaches of confidentiality. It is essential for nurses to adhere to privacy protocols, avoid sharing passwords, refrain from leaving devices unattended, and always lock their screens when not in use. My experience with mobile devices is primarily limited to the wound care tasks mentioned above. I usually explain the methodology to patients and show them the images to clarify the device’s purpose. After completing my tasks, I return the device to the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADN).

Disadvantages of Using Company Devices for Professional Communication

While there are numerous advantages, there are also several drawbacks associated with using company devices in the workplace. I believe that using a cellphone while caring for patients can appear unprofessional. Patients may not discern whether I am using the device for work-related purposes or personal matters, or if I am seeking information due to insufficient clinical knowledge. Additionally, answering phone calls during patient care can be distracting, and cell phones may also serve as vectors for nosocomial infections.

Personal vs. Company Devices: A Choice

If I were in the position of agency management, I would prefer to utilize company devices exclusively for work-related matters and only during work hours. Allowing nurses to use their personal devices could create an urgency to respond to calls at all times. Furthermore, access to work-related information outside of work could lead to breaches of confidentiality, especially when personal information is accessed in public spaces or at home. It is crucial to maintain professionalism and protect patient privacy at all times.

References

Ventola, C. L. (2014). Mobile devices and apps for health care professionals: Uses and benefits. P & T: A Peer-Reviewed Journal for Formulary Management, 39(5), 356–364.

NR 447 Week 7 Discussion

Yoon, S., Oh, J., Yeon, J. J., Ens, T. A., & Mannion, C. A. (2017). A review of the effect of nurses’ use of smartphones to improve patient care. Journal of Undergraduate Research in Alberta, 6.