Pangasinan State University

INSTITUTE OF NURSING
Bayambang Campus
Bayambang, Pangasinan

Activity 9

Technology and Caring

OGOY, PRINCESS O. NURSING INFORMATICS

BSN 2-1 ACTIVITY 9

Overview

Technological proficiency in nurses is a

desirable attribute to function optimally in our
changing health care system: not as a
substitute for nurses' care, but as an actual
enhancement of care (Locsin, 1995). The
competent use of machine technology is
becoming integral to nurses' work, in acute
and community settings. Nurses need to
develop technological know-how to keep pace
with the rapid development of new health technologies.

Understanding technology as a humane way to know a client more fully, as a

person, is the expression of effective integration of machine/computer
technology and a nurse's personal care. Technological competence requires
intentionality, along with compassion, confidence, commitment, and
conscience (Roach, 1987). The Canadian Nurses' Association initiated a
Strategic Plan on Health Care Technology to give guidance and support to
nurses in dealing with challenges in using technology in health care (Caloren
& Salois-Swallow, 1994). One goal of this strategic
plan is to ",...promote the importance of nursing
practice standards to provide client/family centered
care in the health care technology context" (p. 44).

The relationship between computer literacy,

technological competence and a nurse's ability to
care is congruent for quality care. Computer literacy
represents a proactive response to technology
which enhances caring in nursing (Delaney, 1990).
As well, the ability to apply critical thinking, expert
clinical decision-making, and sound clinical judgment are mandatory in
today's "high-tech" health arena. As computers and other technologies gain
prominence both within health care institutions, and clients' homes as in
telenursing, nurses need to find ways to convey their caring despite the
gadgetry.

Ends in View

This learning activity is intended to give the learner the opportunity to:

1. Develop awareness of the potential effects of technology including

computers on clients.

2. Reflect on their own ability to work with technology and computers

in the clinical area while maintaining a personalized caring way of
being with clients.

3. Recognize how to care for clients, using technology in a holistic way.

In Practice

1. Within the clinical setting, notice the various types of technology and
computers used by nurses and other health care professionals. If you can,
notice how the clients react to the technology. Does it aid or impede client
care? What level of technological competency is needed by the nurse to
ensure that the client gets the attention they need?

Computers are used by nurses for emailing and studying, keeping track of when to buy
supplies or drugs, and scheduling personnel. Using electronic health records (EHRs) or
electronic medical records (EMRs) systems, nurses at some institutions use computers to
document every aspect of patient care. Additionally, nurses may quickly obtain crucial
information from electronic health records on a patient’s health or condition, as well as their
treatment options, thanks to computers. In order to give patients the best treatment possible,
nurses can obtain data from other members of their healthcare team, such as results of x-rays
and laboratory tests as well as health reports.I firmly believe that client care is aided by
technical care, particularly when using electronic health records.

Nurses utilize computers for emailing, studying, planning when to purchase supplies or
medications, and scheduling staff. Nurses at certain facilities utilize computers to record every
facet of patient care using electronic health records (EHRs) or electronic medical records
(EMRs) systems. Computers also enable nurses to swiftly access vital data from electronic
health records about a patient's health or condition, as well as their available treatment
options. Nurses can acquire information from other members of their healthcare team, such as
x-ray and laboratory test results, as well as health reports, in order to provide patients with the
best care possible. I genuinely feel that technical care, especially when using electronic health
information, helps with client care.EHRs make it possible for patients and technologies to
interact seamlessly, giving physicians and patients immediate access to patient medical
information. the ability to use computers proficiently and have information literacy. Nurses
must be able to use computers in order to assist patients. Knowing when to collect data, as
well as where to seek for, analyse, and use it as needed. The ability to manage information
literacy is another crucial competency. The process of gathering, processing, organizing,
presenting, and disseminating data as knowledge or information is known as information
management. In order to ensure that patients receive the necessary level of care and nurse-
patient interaction, having a good understanding of basic computer principles is the most
crucial qualification a nurse should possess.

2. Visualize the process of telenursing and telehealth. List the pros and cons
of providing client care from a distance using technology to connect to your
clients.

Telenursing is the practice of providing nursing care through the use of computers and
mobile devices. Telehealth is a growingly popular alternative to conventional healthcare as
mobile devices become more accessible and more affordable. Telehealth is the delivery of
medical services, health information, and health education through the use of technology.
Patients manage chronic diseases better, patients have more access to treatment, patients
reduce risk, patients save time, patients save money, and nurses have more flexibility when
providing client care from a distance using technology to connect to our clients.

Reduced costs, convenience, and the possibility to treat patients with mobility
challenges or those living in remote locations who might not otherwise have access to a local
doctor or clinic are just a few advantages of using technology in the delivery of healthcare.
These factors have helped explain the telehealth industry's astonishing ten-year growth.
Healthcare workers so becomes accessible and continuity of care improved. The risk of
acquiring disease or infection also lessen. For example the patient that is immunocompromised
or has weakened immune system, he/she can have telemedicine consultation with that it will
reduce his/her risk of getting exposed to the hospital wherein there is a potential that he/she
can get disease/infection. Let's now examine the downsides. Some visits require in-person
contact, some patients encounter barriers to care, the service area is constrained by licensing
laws, and reimbursement is inconsistent. Internet connection is one of the disadvantage of
telehealth. Limited assessment is also a cons of telenursing and telehealth. Since the
consultantion happens virtually, nurses and doctors can't assess the patient thoroughly. A
person must still visit the doctor's office for blood tests, imaging tests, and diagnoses that need
more physical labor. Telehealth and telenursing is also not applicable in emergency situations.
Security issues arise while sending electronic personal health information. Despite the COVID-
19 epidemic, insurance companies are gradually covering the cost of telehealth consultations;
nevertheless, some services could not be fully covered, necessitating out-of-pocket costs. But
we must keep in mind that telehealth and telenursing are relatively new medical options. Each
year, the underlying technology advances, making the drawbacks less and less severe.

a) What is facilitated?

Telehealth and telenursing offer greater appointment flexibility, more opportunity for
medical professionals to collaborate, simpler patient follow-up, higher patient outcomes, and
total cost savings that enable the advancement and improvement of patient groups.

b) What is impeded?

Furthermore, technological problems might severely hamper telehealth and

telenursing. For instance, a lack of internet connectivity or technical issues could prevent
patients from obtaining the care they require during medical consultations.

c) What is missing?

The ability to instantly assess and acquire a broad range of significant vitals and health
indicators for each patient is lacking in telenursing and telehealth.

d) Is anything added that is not available in routine health care in an agency

or clinic?

Yes. specifically during the COVID-19 epidemic. Requests for expanded use of
telehealth and telenursing as creative solutions as the COVID-19 epidemic spreads over the
world are a clear indication of the unmet needs in the global healthcare system. The COVID-19
pandemic poses numerous substantial obstacles for the delivery of healthcare, but
telemedicine holds the promise of overcoming many of them. Additionally, by reducing the
need for direct physical contact, telemedicine can help us prevent direct physical contact,
reduce the danger of COVID transmission, and eventually provide ongoing therapy to the
community.

3. Reflect on how the nurses you see or observe when he or she

demonstrates caring for your client as you learn to use/competently use the
following common technologies:

a) Electronic thermometer

Thermometers of many types are used by nurses to measure the body temperatures of
their patients. In electronic thermometers, heat sensors are utilized to determine the body's
temperature. Additionally, an electronic thermometer can be extremely helpfully used to
measure oral, axillary, and rectal temperatures.
b) Glucometer

They take a blood sample by using a small tool to make a small puncture in your skin. A
glucose meter, often known as a glucometer, is a small device used to test the quantity of sugar
in a blood sample. A drop of blood from a finger prick usually suffices when utilizing a test strip.
Either a particular needle (lancet) or a spring-loaded device that quickly pricks the fingertip can
be used to fast prick a finger. You place a blood sample on the test strip. You can place a drop
of blood on the test strip either before or after inserting the test strip into the meter,
depending on the type of meter being used.You can place a drop of blood on the test strip
either before or after inserting the test strip into the meter, depending on the type of meter
being used. The meter then reads the blood sugar level. The majority of meters are made to be
used with blood samples obtained by finger prick. Some meters, however, also permit the use
of blood obtained from the forearm or another site.

c) IV Pump

Even though IV pumps are made to increase patient safety, it is still the nurse's job to set
the pump up correctly. Milliliters per hour are typically used to represent the flow rate of IV
pumps. The nurse should become familiar with the infusion pumps used at the professional
agency and seek assistance when using new equipment because there are many different types
of infusion pumps.

d) PCA Pump

The medical specialists program the pump to release the correct dosage of medication.
The painkiller drips into the vein-accessing tubing from the pump. When you first begin to
experience pain, you press a button that you may hold in your palm. A dose of analgesic is
released by the pump when the button is pressed. In PCA, a patient's intravenous (IV) line is
directly connected to a computerized pump called the patient-controlled analgesia pump,
which is equipped with a syringe of painkillers as prescribed by a physician. It is possible to
occasionally configure the pump to emit a slow, regular flow of analgesics.

e) EEG monitor

An EEG is one of the most crucial diagnostic procedures for epilepsy. Other brain
disorders may also be detected using an EEG. A technician or nurse places tiny metal disks
called electrodes on the patient's head during an EEG. The electrodes are linked to a device that
gives medical professionals information about brain activity. Clinicians can use brain activity to
help diagnose and track brain-related disorders. You will be asked to lie on a bed or relax in a
recliner. Either a cap will cover the electrodes, or a special paste will be used to apply 16 to 25
electrodes to your scalp. You'll be told to look away, to relax, and to keep quiet.

f) Computerized Medication System

A computerized medication monitoring system is described in detail for identifying and

warning of potential hazardous drug reactions. The system delivers warning messages and
recommendations for pharmacological therapy to the pharmacist together with digital data on
each hospital patient. A prescription, transcription, documenting, dispensing, administering,
and monitoring are just a few of the many steps that go into getting a medicine from the
pharmacist to the patient. The system integrates computerized data on each hospital patient
(medications, clinical laboratory, blood gas, ECG, ALLERGIES, DIAGNOSIs, etc.)

This article provides a thorough description of a computerized medication monitoring system

for spotting and alerting potential dangerous drug responses. The technology provides the
pharmacist with digital data on each hospital patient along with warning alerts and suggestions
for pharmaceutical therapy. To name just a few of the numerous procedures involved in
delivering a medicine from the pharmacist to the patient, there must be a prescription,
transcription, documentation, dispensing, administration, and monitoring. Each hospital
patient's digital data, including their medications, clinical laboratory results, blood gases, ECGs,
allergies, and diagnoses, are integrated into the system.

g) Computerized Charting

Nurses can enter tasks and data that make it simpler to document patient management
in accordance with the care plan that has been developed for the patient using computerized
charting to construct nurse care plans for managing patients. Computer terminals have been
set up at the patient's bedside to make it easier to use these programs. With the aid of these
tools, nurses can create patient care plans and electronically document patient management in
line with the care plan that has been created for the patient.

4. List the behaviors and competencies you would need to use such a
system and still show quality caring for your client. Why is computer literacy
an important part of caring and technology?

One of the essential competencies of nursing is the capacity to deliver nursing care that
satisfies the wants of the customers being cared for by utilizing reason and exact nursing
approaches. The nursing competency hierarchy is made up of four components: understanding
requests, providing care, cooperating, and supporting decision-making. The interrelated
behaviors and competencies that are used in a variety of nursing practice contexts are
demonstrated by these four skills. According to Delaney (1990), computer literacy is a
proactive response to technology that enhances nursing care. Additionally, it reduces the
complexity of workflow for nurses and aids in patient records, scheduling, data analysis, and
workflow. In addition, computers are used to treat patients, record therapies, and
communicate with them. As new technologies emerged, health quality also improved and
computer is one of the technology that is very helpful to healthcare providers.

In Reflection

1. Reflect on how you can cultivate caring and technological competence in

your practice.

I can develop caring and technological proficiency as a student nurse by getting to know
my patients well (what they need, their conditions, etc.). Contrarily, understanding technology
is the most important technological competency because it is a fundamental component in
high-tech environments that aim to improve the health outcomes of patients. I can also
improved my competency by continue applying my knowledge in technology during our clinical
exposure and duty.

2. How do the Nursing Informatics subject guide you in your use of

technology coupled with caring behaviors and presence?

In nursing informatics classes, we learn how to use technical tools to make it easier to
gather, analyze, and share higher-quality data about patient safety problems and health
outcomes. Additionally, they encourage more accurate recording and reporting of any
accidents that do occur as well as the prevention of medical errors. Knowing about or having
the technological capabilities that are developed in this field allows us to examine and analyze
people who have a higher risk of acquiring severe diseases and to contribute to preventative
activities as soon as is practical. Automated warnings reduce the likelihood of medical errors by
informing doctors of potential risks like a patient's allergy or a risky medication combination.
3. Will you be able to give quality care in the future if you do not develop
technological competence?

The term "technological competency" refers to the peaceful coexistence of technology

with compassion in nursing. Ideas may live side by side. The nurse and patient are closer
because of the usage of technology. On the other hand, technology may make it simpler to
distinguish between a patient and a nurse. Furthermore, it would be unnecessary to provide
great care in the future without technical competency because we are living in a modern,
developing era. Since the widespread use of technologies transformed healthcare as well, poor
technical proficiency will likely prevent us from providing great care in the near future.

References

Caloren, H. & Salois-Swallow, D. (2015). Strategic Plan on Health Care

Technology. In Grobe, S. & Pluyter-Wenting. (Eds). Nursing Informatics: An
international overview for nurses in a technological era.St. Louis: Mosby, 42
- 45.

Delaney, C. (2017) Computer technology: Endangering the essence of

nursing? In J. Comi-McClosky & Kennedy-Grace, H. Current issues in
nursing, St. Louis: Mosby, 601 - 606.

Grigsby, J. & Sanders, J. (2018). Telemedicine: Where It Is and Where It's

Going. Annals of Internal Medicine, 129, July 15, 123-127.
Online:http://www.acponline.org/journals/annals/15jul98/telemed.htm

References:

https://retinalscreenings.com/blog/top-benefits-of-technology-in-healthcare/#:~:text=Faster
%20%26%20More%20Accurate%20Access%20to,workflows%20between%20people%20and
%20technologies.

https://strataccess.com/insights/telehealth-101-how-telenursing-works/#:~:text=Advantages%20and
%20Applications,and%20cost%20reduction%2C%20among%20others.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/whats-missing-todays-telemedicine-platforms-aamod-wagh?
trk=public_profile_article_view#:~:text=Most%20current%20Telemedicine%20platforms%20do,health
%20markers%20for%20each%20patient.