NURS FPX 5005 Assessment 4 Patient Care Technology

Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX 5005 Introduction to Nursing Research, Ethics, and Technology

Prof. Name

Date

Analysis of Technology in Nursing Practice

This paper delves into the multifaceted aspects of patient care technology, focusing on its applications, benefits, and challenges. Among the numerous technologies relevant to patient care, this study primarily focuses on electronic health records (EHRs) and their impact on patient care and nursing practice. It examines their utility, advantages, limitations, as well as ethical and regulatory issues.

Effects of Technology on Patient Care and Nursing Practice

Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
EHRs are digital repositories of patients’ medical data that are accessible via healthcare organizations’ computer systems or mobile devices. They provide a comprehensive overview of a patient’s medical history, including diagnostic details, treatment plans, allergies, infections, lab results, billing information, radiology images, and both physical and mental health indicators such as blood sugar levels, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and pulse oximetry (Grewal et al., 2019).

Effects on Patient Care
The use of EHRs enhances patient care by enabling healthcare professionals to quickly identify patients’ needs, facilitating more effective clinical interventions (Abul-Husn & Kenny, 2019). EHRs aggregate and distribute patient data to all members of the care team, ensuring comprehensive information sharing.

Effects on Nursing Practice
Nurses perceive EHRs as essential tools that contextualize patient data and improve interprofessional communication, particularly for patients in critical conditions or under continuous monitoring (Wisner et al., 2019). Through secure access, EHRs enable nurses to efficiently retrieve vital patient information, leading to better-informed intervention strategies.

Advantages and Disadvantages of EHRs

Advantages

Facilitates evidence-based medicine
Enhances documentation accuracy
Streamlines preventive care practices
Provides secure storage of medical records
Improves overall data management

Disadvantages

Potential liability issues related to malpractice
High implementation costs
Potential reduction in overall productivity (Upadhyay & Hu, 2020).

Communication and Evaluation of Data

Data Communication
EHRs support both structured and unstructured communication methods. Structured communication includes tools like computerized provider order entry (CPOE), which convey medication and allergy information, while unstructured methods involve clinical notes (Zhang et al., 2020). Furthermore, EHRs enhance data security by integrating encryption algorithms into conventional medical cloud systems.

Data Evaluation Criteria
EHRs have greatly benefited from the development and commercialization of 5G technology, enabling nurses to communicate with patients through various channels like messages, emails, and phone calls. Many healthcare organizations use online portals to engage patients, especially those from remote areas, collecting and evaluating patient data before sharing it with the broader healthcare team (Zhang et al., 2020).

Controls and Safeguards for Patient Safety and Confidentiality

Modern technologies improve communication between patients and healthcare providers while expanding the nursing staff’s understanding of patients’ conditions. Ensuring the security of patient data includes providing portal access credentials to designated family members or caregivers of patients with mental or visual impairments (Lee, 2017). Privacy concerns must be addressed through open discussions with patients to prevent unauthorized data use. Proper training for healthcare staff on data storage and monitoring is vital for ethically utilizing EHRs while optimizing patient health information.

Evidence-Based Strategies to Improve Patient Care Technology

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 establishes national standards for safeguarding patients’ medical information from unauthorized access. Adherence to HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules ensures that patients’ consent is obtained before disclosing their data. Following HIPAA regulations improves the application of patient care technology by enhancing both health insurance portability and safety standards (Shachar, 2022).

Conclusion

Patient care technology plays a critical role in modern healthcare by facilitating communication between healthcare providers and patients through various devices such as blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors, and location trackers. Despite its many benefits, challenges like staff training, data security, and patient privacy remain key concerns that need to be addressed to ensure the ethical and effective use of these technologies.

References

Abul-Husn, N. S., & Kenny, E. E. (2019). Personalized medicine and the power of Electronic Health Records. Cell, 177(1), 58–69.

Bani Issa, W., Al Akour, I., Ibrahim, A., Almarzouqi, A., Abbas, S., Hisham, F., & Griffiths, J. (2020). Privacy, confidentiality, security, and patient safety concerns about Electronic Health Records. International Nursing Review, 67(2), 218–230.

Grewal, D., Hulland, J., Kopalle, P. K., & Karahanna, E. (2019). The future of technology and marketing: A multidisciplinary perspective. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 48(1), 1–8.

NURS FPX 5005 Assessment 4 Patient Care Technology

Lee, L. M. (2017). Ethics and subsequent use of Electronic Health Record data. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 71, 143–146.

Shachar, C. (2022). HIPAA, privacy, and reproductive rights in a Post-Roe era. JAMA, 328(5), 417.

Upadhyay, S., & Hu, H. (2020). Clinicians’ lived experiences on the impact of Electronic Health Records (EHR) on quality and safety. Academy of Management Proceedings, 2020(1), 12928.

Wisner, K., Lyndon, A., & Chesla, C. A. (2019). The Electronic Health Record’s impact on nurses’ cognitive work: An integrative review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 94, 74–84.

Zhang, J., Liu, H., & Ni, L. (2020). A secure energy-saving communication and encrypted storage model based on RC4 for EHR. IEEE Access, 8, 38995–39012.