Technology to Enhance the Patient’s Safety

Impact of information and communication technologies on your practice setting

Accommodation and acceptance of innovative technology is urgent necessity for all organizations. Therefore, the healthcare industry should introduce effective training and education to the staff to manage innovation (Roussel & Swansburg, 2006). Much greater responsibility is imposed on nurse managers whose primary obligation is to track the slightest changes in the technological sphere and introduce innovative approaches that would support and advocate all nursing operations and meet the increasing demands for a high quality of health care delivery (Roussel & Swansburg, 2006).

With regard to the above, the introduction of electronic inventory control at our Ambulatory Center has the most important impact on the practice setting. This device is indispensable to our hospital because it enables the nurse professional to control the flow of medications and applications necessary for the normal functioning of different departments. We also can know about expenditures and the cost-effectiveness of particular products. So, if the cost for equipment or medication exceeds the expected prices, the issue can be considered at the organizational meetings. In general, the inventory control system contributes greatly to perform daily operations in a more efficient way.

Aside from the flow of supplies control, there is also MAC Computer System serving as a linking device between the central database and our physicians. Specifically, surgeons are connected to the computer system via I-phone; if there is an emergency case, they can get exhaustive information from the database and study a patient’s medical card. Enhanced mobility and quick access to information help much in providing patients with high-quality care. In addition, we also deal with electronic names band with patients suffering from allergies. The equipment is very expensive, but much more concern is given to the benefits this system brings to our hospital.

Implementation of highly effective information and communication technology

The process of integrating new technology in the sphere of health care should be consistent and purposeful. Quality managers should carry out in-depth research before introducing specific equipment to the workplace. The efficiency of daily operations, easy access, and training programs are of particular importance because the technology should meet the established requirements (Cotter, 2007). In addition, the innovative computer system should also be evaluated from the perspective of nurse-patients relationships, information control, implementations of specific plans, and standardization and improvement of electronic health records.

Information electronic systems are also indispensable to the health care organizations that undergo significant transformations. In this respect, McBride (2005) describes the case of a positive influence of innovative technologies on improving the quality of patient treatment. Informatics revolution is a valuable contribution to reshaping the structure and principles of a health care organization because it reveals the readiness of nursing staff to face challenges. Hence, the transformation of organizations can be carried out effectively with the introduction of effective information control systems.

Regarding the cases presented above, nursing informatics is an integral part of successful work at the organization. A complex of information, science, and computer technologies contributes greatly to the effective transformation of the necessary information to nursing professionals. In this respect, health care staff should be able to manage properly computer systems and study nurse informatics as a newly emerged discipline (Nursing-Informatics.com, 2011). Greater awareness and effective educational programs should form the basic condition for introducing new telecommunication technologies for enhancing patient safety and creating a favorable platform for further development.

References

Cotter, C. (2007). Making the case for a clinical information system: The chief information officer view. Journal of Critical Care, 22(1), 56-65.

McBride, A. B. (2005). Nursing and the informatics revolution. Nursing Outlook, 53(4), 183–191.

Nursing-Informatics-Com. (2011). Process. Web.

Roussel, L., and Swansburg, R. C. (2006). Management and leadership for nurse administrators. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.