The Use of Technology in Healthcare
Background
The selected problem is the inappropriate use and lack of optimized healthcare technology. Healthcare technology is beneficial to the healthcare sector. Firstly, it promotes care coordination. By so doing, interdisciplinary collaboration and accountability are achieved. Care coordination improves the quality of healthcare services by ensuring that a patient’s needs are addressed (Atasoy et al., 2019). Secondly, healthcare technology enables the automation of tasks in healthcare facilities. As such, medical errors are reduced significantly, and improved patient safety is achieved. Inappropriate use and lack of optimized healthcare technology impede the delivery of healthcare services. It is associated with a high incidence of medication errors and increased morbidity and mortality rates (Atasoy et al., 2019). Additionally, it has financial implications for the healthcare facility, patients, and their families (Lin et al., 2019).
Defining the Problem
The problem statement states, which strategies can be used to optimize the use of healthcare technology in the healthcare facility? The problem is the inappropriate use and lack of optimized healthcare technology. The lack of optimized and improper use of healthcare technology impacts healthcare facilities negatively. The first aspect that is affected is workflow. Care coordination and automated healthcare services are impeded by improper use of technology (Bates & Singh, 2018). This involves services such as billing, which puts the healthcare facility at risk of financial losses from wrong billing or penalizations (Lin et al., 2019). The second aspect that is affected is the quality of healthcare services. The lack of appropriate technology lowers the quality of healthcare services by impeding interdisciplinary collaboration and patient monitoring. Multidisciplinary collaboration and patient monitoring can be achieved via certified electronic health record systems and telehealth technology. Additionally, inappropriate technology increases the risk of errors when prescribing, dispensing, or administering medication (Baumann et al., 2018).
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Literature Review
Telehealth and electronic health record systems are examples of healthcare technologies that can be used to optimize the delivery of healthcare services. Bates and Singh (2018) identify the causes of medical errors emanating from inadequate use of technology. According to Bates and Singh (2018), errors stem from poor handwriting, insufficient documentation, and defective collaboration among healthcare providers. On the other hand, Garber and Gustin (2022) report that inappropriate use of healthcare technology impedes care coordination and patient monitoring, lowering the quality of healthcare services. Inadequate patient monitoring is associated with poor adherence to medication and suboptimal patient outcomes. According to Carroll (2018), appropriate use of healthcare technology equips providers with pertinent knowledge and skills via continuous medical education. By so doing, the quality of healthcare services is improved.
Atasoy et al. (2019) and Lin et al. (2019) report that meaningful use of electronic health record systems impacts the quality of care and treatment costs. Electronic health record systems improve clinical decision-making by providing Clinical Decision Support Systems. Additionally, computerized provider order entries eliminate medical errors emanating from poor handwriting. As such, the quality of healthcare services is improved. Similar findings have been reported by Baumann et al. (2018). Baumann et al. (2018) note that electronic health record systems optimize workflow by improving documentation. However, adequate staff training should be done to increase their familiarity with both hardware and software.
Bloom et al. (2021) report that appropriate uses of electronic health record systems improve the efficiency and safety of healthcare services. This is accomplished by promoting interdisciplinary collaboration in the clinical decision-making process. Bloom et al. (2021) note that healthcare providers should receive adequate training on the usability of hardware and software to optimize the delivery of healthcare services. Engels et al. (2020) explore the relevance of telehealth in a healthcare facility during pandemics such as COVID-19. Telehealth eliminates the need for physical interactions. Subsequently, it provides timely access to healthcare services. Similar findings were reported by Rutledge et al. (2021) and Lewinski et al. (2022). Lewinski et al. (2022) say that telehealth improves care coordination and adherence to the treatment plan for patients with chronic conditions.
Callista Roy’s Adaptation Model of Nursing is relevant when using healthcare technology. This theory reiterates the importance of an in-depth understanding of the patient and various environmental stimuli that affect their well-being (Marudhar & Josfeena, 2019). Additionally, the theory identifies the nursing process to promote patient-centeredness. This theory should complement the appropriate use of technology to ensure the best patient outcomes.
References
Atasoy, H., Greenwood, B. N., & McCullough, J. S. (2019). The Digitization of Patient Care: A Review of the Effects of Electronic Health Records on Health Care Quality and Utilization. Annual Review of Public Health, 40, 487–500. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040218-044206
Bates, D. W., & Singh, H. (2018). Two decades since to err is human: An assessment of progress and emerging priorities in patient safety. Health Affairs, 37(11), 1736–1743. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2018.0738
Baumann, L. A., Baker, J., & Elshaug, A. G. (2018). The impact of electronic health record systems on clinical documentation times: A systematic review. Health Policy, 122(8), 827–836. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2018.05.014
Bloom, B. M., Pott, J., Thomas, S., Gaunt, D. R., & Hughes, T. C. (2021). Usability of electronic health record systems in UK EDs. Emergency Medicine Journal, 38(6), 410–415. https://doi.org/10.1136/emermed-2020-210401
Carroll, K. (2018). Transforming the Art of Nursing: Telehealth Technologies. Nursing Science Quarterly, 31(3), 230–232. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894318418774930
Engels, D., Austin, M., Doty, S., Sanders, K., & McNicho, L. (2020). A Multiple Case Report of Expanded Use of Telehealth Technology to Perform Wound Consultations During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing, 30(3), 119. https://doi.org/10.1097/WON.0000000000000697
Garber, K., & Gustin, T. (2022). Telehealth Education: Impact on Provider Experience and Adoption. Nurse Educator, 47(2), 75–80. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNE.0000000000001103
Lewinski, A. A., Walsh, C., Rushton, S., Soliman, D., Carlson, S. M., Luedke, M. W., Halpern, D. J., Crowley, M. J., Shaw, R. J., Sharpe, J. A., Alexopoulos, A.-S., Tabriz, A. A., Deitch, J. R., Uthappa, D. M., Hwang, S., Ball Ricks, K. A., Cantrell, S., Kosinski, A. S., Ear, B., … Goldstein, K. M. (2022). Telehealth for the Longitudinal Management of Chronic Conditions: Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(8), e37100. https://doi.org/10.2196/37100
Lin, Y. K., Lin, M., & Chen, H. (2019). Do electronic health records affect the quality of care? Evidence from the HITECH Act. Information Systems Research, 30(1), 306–318. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2018.0813
Marudhar, & Josfeena. (2019). Roy’s Adaptation Model of Nursing Resource Pack. International Journal of Scientific Development and Research, 4(1), 283–287.
Rutledge, C. M., O’Rourke, J., Mason, A. M., Chike-Harris, K., Behnke, L., Melhado, L., Downes, L., & Gustin, T. (2021). Telehealth Competencies for Nursing Education and Practice: The Four P’s of Telehealth. Nurse Educator, 46(5), 300–305. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNE.0000000000000988
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Question 
The Use of Technology in Healthcare
Critically evaluate the use of technology in healthcare and the challenges it presents in healthcare delivery. Offer specific examples or situations addressing technology’s contributions to improving health and healthcare quality. Consider the impact on healthcare costs and analyze trade-offs.