Technological advances have begun to change healthcare and how nurses practice. From how to move a patient more safely with less harm to the nurse; robotics in the operating room and elsewhere; to how we chart the patients care, technology is all around each of us. From robots working in operating rooms to robots helping in supply management, the healthcare environment is changing.
I was recently introduced to a group of robots that roam underground under our new orthopaedic facility delivering items of necessity to our new hospital one block away. The robots know where to go, when to stop at their delivery location and even know when they need to stop for a charge; they put their blinkers on, pull right over, take a break, and charge right up. They are really smart robots!
When I think of the effort that was once required to move these kinds of supplies 30 years ago, which now can be managed with robots that find their way to the correct destination by advanced technology, I cannot help but marvel at how far we have come. It is really exhilarating to watch the implementation of some of the latest concepts and to listen to the plans for the future. I am happy to be able to be part of the new world of patient care.
Have you heard your colleagues say, "I am getting out now because I don't want to change what I do" or "I am tired of all of these new gadgets"? I certainly have and I would like to say, "wait, this new stuff is really cool."
Another example of technology in healthcare is the technology involved in caring for our patients and documenting the health record. When would you have heard the statement "get me a COW so I can enter all of my patients' health information at the bedside" on an orthopaedic unit? "A what? I think I have been working too much overtime" might be the reply. Having the patients complete medical record at the nurse's fingertips whether it be on computer .... (COW), iPad or some other handheld technology, the days of trying to run and find the chart will be all but a memory soon. "The resident had the chart and I think I just saw him get on the elevator with it." Does that sound like something you might recall?
There is no question that technology will help create a safer environment for the patient and will also provide healthcare providers with the information they need, when they need it. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, has created the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program, which lays out a plan for healthcare providers to implement and utilize the EHR. Many institutions have already moved to an EHR and others are just beginning the process. The key phrase in utilizing an EHR is the term meaningful use, which means that you don't just have an EHR but it is being utilized in a meaningful way. This is just one more example where the utilization of technology will improve the health and safety of patients.
Embracing new technology will not be easy. Definite changes in how we practice will need to occur. Different and possibly expanded workflows will need to be developed. All of these changes will need to be guided by those utilizing it. It will be necessary for all of us to work with the developers to be sure that we do achieve better and safer patient care with the new technology. We must be engaged in the process to be sure it does what we hope it to do.