Digital Technology And Nursing Care Discussion Paper

Indeed, the implementation of a comprehensive information technology has had several benefits to the healthcare sector which includes improved workflow, better data management as well as improved patient care (Krick et al., 2019). A comprehensive information technology is however associated with severe drawbacks more especially during a downtime which compromise the quality of healthcare. Advanced IT systems such as electronic health records are beneficial to healthcare providers in that they allow them to easily access patient information such as medical history, test results and prescriptions.  This automated access o information allows healthcare providers make appropriate error-free decisions that improves patient outcome. Also, as outlined, health IT systems helps improve patient safety by preventing the occurrence of errors through notifications on possible drug interactions and allergies to medications. During a downtime, such features are inaccessible and can make healthcare providers vulnerable to making errors hence, compromising patient safety. Digital Technology And Nursing Care Discussion Paper

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Downtime events can also cause data security issues because the huge amount of patient information is exposed to unprecedented events leading to unauthorized access hence privacy and security breaches. In addition, there are financial implications that are caused by a downtime event. Healthcare systems indeed invest a lot of resources in the implementation and maintenance of information technology systems. Often downtime events cause a halt of healthcare services which may cause financial losses. Also, addressing downtime may require additional financial resources further increasing the financial demands.

Based on the aforementioned challenges associated with overreliance on health information technology, it is necessary for nurses to be trained in the “old-fashioned” hard-copy methods of documentation as a mitigation measure in the event of a downtime. With the increase in incidences of cyber attacks, phishing and other system failures, it is important to train nurses on traditional paper based methods (Seh et al., 2020). Digital Technology And Nursing Care Discussion Paper

References

Krick, T., Huter, K., Domhoff, D., Schmidt, A., Rothgang, H., & Wolf-Ostermann, K. (2019). Digital technology and nursing care: a scoping review on acceptance, effectiveness and efficiency studies of informal and formal care technologies. BMC health services research, 19, 1-15.

Seh, A. H., Zarour, M., Alenezi, M., Sarkar, A. K., Agrawal, A., Kumar, R., & Ahmad Khan, R. (2020, May). Healthcare data breaches: insights and implications. In Healthcare (Vol. 8, No. 2, p. 133). MDPI.

Response needed for the following discussion post. Must be at least 200 words and at least 1 reference within the last 5 years.

Healthcare providers benefit from better data management, workflows, and patient care with a more comprehensive information technology (IT) system. These benefits can have drawbacks, especially during downtime, and raise worries about technology dependency. Difficulties during downtime include patient care disruption. Advanced IT systems give doctors instant access to patient data such as medical histories, prescriptions, and test results (Albesher, 2019). Without this information, doctors may postpone decision-making and treatment planning, which could harm patient outcomes. Patient safety is another issue. Health IT solutions with advanced safety features include drug interaction and allergy notifications. These measures may become unreachable during a downtime event, leaving healthcare providers without vital information to prevent errors and protect patients. Another risk is IT system overreliance on automated operations. Many healthcare providers are used to automated medicine distribution and vital sign monitoring. Downtime can make the switch to manual operations difficult and error-prone, threatening patient safety and treatment quality. Data security is a critical aspect of modern healthcare and advanced IT systems store vast amounts of sensitive patient information. Downtime events can expose this data to security breaches, raising concerns about patient privacy and the potential for legal and regulatory consequences. Digital Technology And Nursing Care Discussion Paper

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There are financial implications associated with downtime. Healthcare providers invest substantial resources in implementing and maintaining advanced IT systems (Albesher, 2019). When downtime occurs, operations may come to a halt, leading to financial losses. Additional costs may be incurred in addressing the downtime issue, and the risk of legal actions from patients affected by the disruption further compounds these financial challenges. Recovery after a downtime event can be a complex and protracted process. Restoring a sophisticated IT system to full functionality requires meticulous planning and execution, which can extend the period of operational disruption and stress for healthcare providers. The dependency on technology can also affect staff training and competency (Hardy, 2024). With the continuous use of advanced systems, healthcare professionals may become less proficient in manual processes, making it difficult to adapt swiftly when technology fails. Digital Technology And Nursing Care Discussion Paper

Nurses should continue to be trained in the “old-fashioned” hard-copy methods of documentation as a necessary contingency in the event of computer downtime. While modern healthcare heavily relies on electronic health records (EHRs) and digital documentation for their numerous advantages, the potential for technical issues, system failures, or cyberattacks makes it essential to maintain proficiency in traditional paper-based methods (Blagden et al., 2022). Firstly, hard-copy documentation serves as a reliable backup system during computer downtime. In critical situations where access to electronic records is unavailable, nurses can still provide essential care by referring to handwritten notes, charts, and forms. This redundancy ensures uninterrupted patient care, safeguarding against delays or errors that might occur if healthcare providers were solely reliant on electronic systems. Secondly, training nurses in both electronic and paper-based documentation fosters versatility and adaptability. In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, professionals must be prepared for unexpected disruptions (Adler-Milstein et al., 2020). Being proficient in multiple documentation methods allows nurses to seamlessly transition between digital and manual systems, maintaining efficiency and patient safety. Moreover, some healthcare settings, such as remote or underserved areas, may not have consistent access to advanced IT infrastructure. In these environments, nurses’ proficiency in hard-copy documentation becomes even more valuable, ensuring that patients receive high-quality care regardless of technological limitations. In essence, while embracing modern technology is essential in healthcare, ensuring that nurses are skilled in “old-fashioned” hard-copy documentation is a prudent and necessary measure to guarantee continuous, reliable, and adaptable patient care in the face of computer downtime or unforeseen challenges. Digital Technology And Nursing Care Discussion Paper