The Impact of Technological Advancements in Nursing Practice
Technological developments are being embraced in various sectors, including healthcare. As a result, the nursing profession is fast evolving in order to keep abreast with technological advancements and novel challenges in healthcare. Nurses are direct caregivers, which means that they are frontline practitioners in care delivery (Elrick, 2017). Thus, the impact of adjustments of best practices due to technological advancements is more significant and immediate for nurses compared to other healthcare professionals. The implication is that nurses have to be tech-savvy for them to compete in their roles, such as using online charting systems, updating patients’ health records, and scheduling care, among others (Elrick, 2017). Previously, nurses used handwritten charts for storing patient information. Therefore, technology competence is now a core requirement for effective and safe nursing care.
Background
Nursing Informatics (NI) has been in existence since the inception of modern nursing when standardized records of patients were crucial in evaluating and enhancing care quality. Cummins et al. (2016) trace back to the 1850s when Florence Nightingale collected and analyzed data from medical and nursing records with the goal of improving sanitation. The use of information technologies (IT) in nursing started in the 1960s. Since then, NI has evolved to become a well-developed discipline that focuses on the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) that improve clinician-patient relationships, patient care, and health outcomes (Cummins et al., 2016). NI practitioners use ICTs for improving documentation, optimizing and streamlining the process of ordering lab tests and medications, lessening medical errors, and practising evidence-based care. The overarching goal of NI is to improve the efficiency, quality and delivery of care in order to enhance patient outcomes.
Discussion
Definition of Nursing Informatics
The American Nurses Association (ANA) defined NI as a specialty that incorporates analytical and information sciences into nurses for purposes of identifying, defining, and managing data (direct observations like patients’ ages and vital signs), information (interpreted data like readmission rate), and knowledge (relationships and patterns) in nursing practice (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2021). Furthermore, NI supports clinical decision-making by nursing practitioners by means ICTs, information processes, and information structures. NI practitioners integrate knowledge, information, and data to support nurses and other health professionals in delivering better care to patients.
Pedagogical Theories Incorporating Evolving Technology for the Advanced Practice Nurse
A number of theories used in nursing education incorporate evolving technology for the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), which include the Novice to Expert Theory, Diffusion of Innovation Theory, Lewin’s change theory, appreciative inquiry theory, and usability theory. These theories are useful in nursing education for developing NI expertise, knowledge, competencies, and skills in NI practitioners (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2021). They are also applicable in developing technological competencies for APNs, educating nursing students, and helping them transition from being graduate nurses to expert nurses (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2021). Essentially, these theories help prepare APNs to practice in an environment where technology is increasingly becoming ubiquitous.
Effect of Technology on Advanced Practice Nursing
Advanced practice nursing has been transformed considerably by technology. First, technology has increased the accessibility of patient information through the digitization of such information. Digital patient records enhance patient care by increasing the clarity and accuracy of patient data and making it easily accessible to facilitate efficient care delivery. Secondly, technology has helped enhance nurse-patient communication, especially in cases where geography hindered communication (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2021). For instance, developments in telehealth have made it possible for APNs to communicate with and deliver care to patients who are geographically through mobile health apps, videoconferencing, and remote monitoring of patients (Abelson, 2020). Thirdly, novel health technologies have been instrumental in reducing medical errors linked to understaffing and long working hours. Thus, these technologies increase patient safety and improve outcomes by simplifying and automating routine procedures (Cummins et al., 2016). While the impact of technology on nursing has been mostly positive, negative aspects have also been highlighted, including reducing person-to-person nurse-patient relationships and data security issues that might undermine patient privacy and confidentiality (Elrick, 2017). Despite these drawbacks, technology can significantly enhance advanced practice nursing.
Nurse as a Knowledge Worker
The roles of nurses as knowledge workers entail the application of analytical and theoretical knowledge in the delivery of care. Nurses can obtain knowledge from various forms, such as patient data in electronic health records (EHRs), mobile apps, patient portals, and remote and sensor monitoring technologies among others (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2021). Nurses, as knowledge workers, are involved in collecting and analyzing data and determining clinical patterns and trends. They also compare data from individual patients with evidence-based nursing knowledge. Nurses should also share knowledge through dissemination to inform others about what they have learned. Besides knowledge sharing, nurses are involved in the creation of knowledge using research, developing evidence-based protocols, and quality improvement projects (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2021). Overall, nurses are knowledge workers do not only use knowledge but are also involved in creating and sharing knowledge.
Types of Information Technology Used in Healthcare Settings
Computerized disease registries (CDRs) and electronic prescribing are examples of ITs used in healthcare. CDRs are computer applications utilized for capturing, managing, and providing information regarding diseases in order to support patient management. They are used for creating patient reports, recognizing patients falling short on their management goals, and generating progress reports for examining the performance of providers in terms of care delivery (Gosavi et al.t, 2016). Electronic prescribing refers to the computerized creation, sending, and filling of prescriptions. It entails using specialized software to securely send prescription information to pharmacies (Otterman, 2016). These two technologies can enhance patient management and reduce medication errors.
Examples of How Computer Technology is Used in Nursing
Computer technologies are being used to support clinical decision-making, care coordination, nursing education, patient education, and evidence-based practice. For example, computerized clinical decision support systems (CCDSSs) compare patient characteristics with computerized medical knowledge to offer recommendations for clinicians. CCDSSs help clinicians make consistent and accurate decisions (Joos et al., 2019). EHRs can facilitate care coordination by integrating and organizing patient data and facilitating instant access by all the providers caring for patients. This is essential for patients receiving care from multiple specialists. Computers are also utilized in nursing education, individualizing instruction and ensuring that education is more efficient and meaningful for students. Examples of computer applications in nursing education include simulated laboratories and clinical situations to enhance learning and remote learning to enhance access to nursing education (Joos et al., 2019). Computers have also been used in patient education and have led to improvements in clinical outcomes. An example is the use of mobile apps that serve as educational resources. Lastly, computers can facilitate access to evidence-based practice (EBP) information via the Internet (Joos et al., 2019). Overall, computers can enhance clinical practice and outcomes for patients.
Influence on Generational and Social Issues on the Use of Computer Technologies
Generational differences influence the use of computer technologies. People of older generations are less likely to use computers compared to the younger generations. For instance, older adults consider computers to be less user-friendly compared to young and middle-aged adults (Vogels, 2020). Older adults are also anxious when using computers, which in turn discourages them from using these technologies. Millennials are the most comfortable when using computers, followed by Generation Xers, Baby Boomers, and the Silent Generation being the least comfortable using this technology (Vogels, 2020). In terms of social issues, gender is a factor that influences computer use, with men more likely to embrace computer use compared to females. Other social influences on computer use include education and income (Estacio et al., 2019). Overall, computer use is more prevalent in the younger generations.
Experience in Using Informatics/Technology
An informatics technology that can be used to assess nursing outcomes and assist patients is the EHR system. EHR can enhance the safety and quality of care by lessening the possibility of adverse events and medical errors. This technology also facilitates better documentation and improves communication among providers caring for a patient. EHRs are also useful in tracking treatment protocols and providing patients with information to help them comply with scheduled medical appointments and prescribed medications. Overall, using this technology helped to make care delivery efficient and effective.
Conclusion
The nursing informatics process entails integrating knowledge, information, and data to support nursing practice and education. Technological developments have been instrumental in transforming nursing by increasing the accessibility of patient information, enhancing the efficiency of care delivery, improving nurse-patient communication, and improving patient outcomes and safety. Considering the developments in informatics, nurses are considered knowledge workers who use, create, and disseminate knowledge to advance the profession. The applications of ICTs in healthcare are numerous including supporting clinical decision-making, coordination of care, facilitating nursing education, enhancing patient education, and enabling access to EBP information resources.
References
Abelson, R. (2020, August 3). Is Telemedicine Here to Stay? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/03/health/covid-telemedicine-congress.html.
Cummins, M. R., Gundlapalli, A. V., Gundlapalli, A. V., Murray, P., Park, H. A., & Lehmann, U. (2016). Nursing informatics certification worldwide: history, pathway, roles, and motivation. Yearbook of Medical Informatics, (1), 264-271. https://dx.doi.org/10.15265%2FIY-2016-039
Elrick, L. (2017, September 26). Technology in nursing: How electronics are changing the field. https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/blog/technology-in-nursing/.
Estacio, E. V., Whittle, R., & Protheroe, J. (2019). The digital divide: Examining socio-demographic factors associated with health literacy, access and use of the internet to seek health information. Journal of Health Psychology, 24(12), 1668-1675. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1359105317695429
Gosavi, S., & Bhagavat, A. (2016). Use of Chronic Disease Registries to Optimize Cardiovascular Health. Current Vascular Pharmacology, 14(5), 426–431. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570161114666160722114413
Joos, I., Wolf, D., & Nelson, R. (2019). Introduction to computers for healthcare professionals. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2021). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Otterman, S. (2016, March 14). The End of Prescriptions as We Know Them in New York. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/nyregion/new-york-to-discard- prescription-pads-and-doctors-handwriting-in-digital-shift.html.
Vogels, E. A. (2020, September 23). Millennials stand out for their technology use, but older generations also embrace digital life. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/09/09/us-generations-technology-use/.
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Question 
As a professional nurse, you are expected to apply your expertise to patient care. On occasion, you will also be expected to share that expertise.
With evolving technology and continuous changes to regulations designed to keep up with these changes, there is usually a need to share information and expertise to inform colleagues, leadership, patients, and other stakeholders.
Nursing Informatics Essay
In this Assignment, you will study a recent nursing informatics-related healthcare policy, and you will share the relevant details via a fact sheet designed to inform and educate.
To Prepare:
Review the Resources on healthcare policy and regulatory/legislative topics related to health and nursing informatics.
Consider the role of the nurse informaticist in relation to a healthcare organization’s compliance with various policies and regulations, such as the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).
Research and select one health or nursing informatics policy (within the past 5 years) or regulation for further study.
The Assignment: (1 page not including the title and reference page)
Create a 1-page fact sheet that your healthcare organization could hypothetically use to explain the health or nursing informatics policy/regulation you selected. Your fact sheet should address the following:
Briefly and generally explain the policy or regulation you selected.
Address the impact of the policy or regulation you selected on system implementation.
Address the impact of the policy or regulation you selected on clinical care, patient/provider interactions, and workflow.
Highlight organizational policies and procedures that are/will be in place at your healthcare organization to address the policy or regulation you selected. Be specific.
Use APA format and include a title page, in-text citations, and a reference page.
Use the Safe Assign Drafts to check your match percentage before submitting your work.