UNIVERSITY OF SIERRA LEONE(COMAHS)

ASSIGNMENT

Write an essay not less than 500 words about computer skills in nursing
profession

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTER SKILLS IN NURSING PROFESSION

We have come to the so-called Age of Computers where all our transactions need
speed to keep up with the fast times. Globalization is making the world smaller and
drawing people closer with the advent of modern information technology. The First
World Countries have invested millions to adopt progressive communications by way
of computers which continue to upgrade abruptly. Thus the influence that computers
have nowadays cannot be undermined owing to the fact that all forms of human
activities are influenced by computers. This includes the field of commerce and trade,
education, scientific studies and research, social and natural sciences, government and
law, and even health care particularly in nursing practice. Especially for developed
countries, the impact of computer use in nursing is felt to a larger extent compared to
developing nations.

Computer applications in nursing practice have continued to develop over the past
twenty years to reach the stage where nursing practice is firmly interwoven with
computer technology (Gillham, 1997). These include latest technologies such as voice
mail, electronic mail, instant messaging and mobile messaging by means of various
internet messengers. Through computers, nurses can execute their duties and
responsibilities with greater efficiency and effectiveness. Human errors are decreased
thus health care delivery becomes more reliable and consistent.

Nurses have been intimately involved with technology in patient care for decades
(Kearns, 2000). But as years passed by, the use of computer technology is not limited
to patient care only but has innovated and stretched out to cover other areas of nursing
practice. Generally in the clinical setting, this current usage can be divided into two
categories namely Admission, Discharge and Transfer (ADT) and Nursing
Documentation respectively. It is also seen that computers can accelerate the nursing
process which includes nursing assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning
implementation and evaluation. Apart from this, computers are also utilized in
Nursing Education, Nursing Research and Nursing Administration.

In ADT, this system “allows nurses to obtain basic biographical information on

clients before they arrive to the unit” (Thomas, 2002). This is common among
advanced countries where patient admissions, discharges and transfers are made more
convenient since all sections of the health care unit have computers which contain
patient records. As soon as any of these three tasks are called for, the nurses will
simply enter into the computer the respective order thus minimizing their phone calls
and possible errors with proper coordination applied. In admissions, the nurses can
confirm immediately as to vacancies of hospital beds and other services offered by the
health institution. In terms of discharges and transfers, this can easily be informed
among the staff hence lessening the time of waiting on the part of the patient and the
significant others (SO).

A nursing information system (NIS) can increase efficiency and accuracy in all phases
of the nursing process-assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementing, and
evaluating (“Using computers to speed up the nursing process,” 2002). Meaning, with
greater speed and competence of the nursing process through a computerized scheme,
the standards of nursing practice would be enhanced to a better level.

This type of method can also allow nurses to watch their patients more carefully since
time is saved by the computerized programme of nursing process. As far as nursing
documentation is concerned, this includes nursing assessments, nursing care plans,
medications, administration records, nurses’ notes and patient charting, discharge
plans and other modes of documentation available in the health care unit. In advanced
countries, all these documents and records are already computerized so they are more
helpful and effective since they are more readable compared to the nurses’ manual
handwriting which are prone to mistakes since not all penmanship are clear. The
computer can be programmed to identify the data and time of all entries as well as the
initials or the name of the person making the entry (Thomas, 2002). Canada is one of
the countries which have implemented electronic health records. A high-quality,
sustainable and effective Canadian health care system supported by an infostructure
that provides Canadians and their health care providers timely, appropriate and secure
access to the right information when and where they enter into the health care system
(Reichert, 2005).

Nursing education has taken a wider step during the Computer Age. The goals of
nursing education have always been linked to increased quality of nursing standards
related to efficiency of clinical practice. As an educational tool, computers guide
nurses in facilitating learning depending on individual capacities. In 1996 a project
using computer based nursing care planning for education purposes was carried out at
the University of South Australia (Gillham, 1997). This study emphasizes that online
training for Registered Nurses should be pertinent to existing clinical practices for it
to become technologically effective and efficient in terms of cost and level of
education.

On the other hand, nursing research is another field which utilized computer-based
technology during recent times. In 1999, Wendy Budin wrote a book with Jacqueline
Rose Hott entitled Essentials of Nursing Research, 6th edition, which included a
chapter “devoted to the creative use of computers and information technology in
nursing research” (Budin, 2004). It is a publication which provides its readers a guide
to research methods in a brief and summarized package. Nursing studies and
investigations can best be conducted and facilitated by applying computer technology
since it is more accurate and organized. Computerized literature searches are a
particular advantage to the researchers because they save time and can increase the
scope of search and the number of database that can be searched (Thomas, 2002).

As to nursing administration, this aspect considerably utilizes the use of computers

especially in planning, organizing, controlling and directing the health care unit. An
important element of administration is staffing. Some high-tech hospitals make use of
computers in assigning nurses to specific patients depending on the degree of severity
of the disease condition. This is equally important for inventory of hospital supplies.
A computer-generated inventory system can “help the nurse administrator to prepare
reports and letters, create budgets and maintain personnel records and mailing lists”
(Thomas, 2002). Finally, computer programmes are also designed to coordinate
scheduling of nursing shifts and days off to determine the number of nurses desirable
for the respective number of patients admitted.

With increasing demands for efficient health care delivery system, it can be concluded
that computers are now a necessity in order to improve nursing practice encompassing
nursing education, nursing research, nursing administration and the nursing process as
a whole. Life is being dealt with in the field of nursing that is why it entails further
standardization in all its applications. Its implementation could be a hindrance among
developing countries, however, this computerized system among health care units
should be adopted in time. Health is wealth after all. The strength of the nation comes
from the strength of its people.