Contents

Introduction. 2

The use of computers within nursing in general 2

Significance of computers. 3

Attributes of computers. 4

Advantages and disadvantages of computers as an educational tool 5

Advantages. 5

Disadvantages. 6

The use of computers in relation to nursing professional standards and competencies. 6

References. 7

 

Introduction

Technology application in the field of nursing has transformed how nursing care is conceptualized and delivered. Technology has long overthrown manual recording of patient health records, charting, monitoring some patient symptoms e.t.c. Technology has enhanced communication, easy storage, and retrieval of patient health records, administration, e.t.c. Different technologies have been invented that have been used to realize these benefits, but at the center is one key technological innovation that shapes to a large degree the use of technology in nursing and health care at large. Computers. The following is an explanation of all the facets of the use of computers within the nursing landscape.

ORDER A PAPER LIKE THIS NOW

The use of computers within nursing in general

Computers are used for a wide array of purposes within the nursing practice. First of all, they are used in the storage of patient information; Electronic Health Records. Instead of manually recording patient information on paper materials, computers have enabled the storage of patient information in electronic form which is easily accessible to people near or far away from the database through the internet. Electronic health records contain patients’ health history, patient treatments, patients’ health progress, e.t.c. Nurses use computers to access clinical information on the internet. They can review the latest research findings and stay abreast of the latest nursing and medical advances (McCormick& Saba, 2015). As a result, they can provide evidence-based care to patients. They utilize computers to provide telemedicine services to patients at home or those who do not have any health organization within their proximity. The benefit also stretches to patients with disabilities who may have a hard time physically traveling to health organizations. They use computers in medication prescription and management. Software and applications are used to manage patient medications. For example, using the identification number assigned to a patient by a health care organization, nurses can verify a patient’s medical orders before administering them (Matsuda et al, 2015).

Significance of computers

Improved accessibility. EHRs are stored within computers in databases. The records are easily accessible by nurses within the premises or far away over the internet. Improved accessibility significantly enhances the quality of care provided to patients. Once a nurse has assessed and diagnosed a patient, the information is stored within computers which is easily accessible to all other nurses as well as other health care professionals. That way, the other health care professionals will not need to come to the patient’s ward to acquire the records. Patients are also able to access their health information via the internet and stay abreast about their health progress whilst taking an active role in their care.

Decreased human error. Medication errors often occur when nurses fail to follow the five steps of medication administration; dosage verification, apt timing, right patient, specific medication, and delivery route. Systems have been implemented that ensure the verification process is adhered to. For example, a nurse can scan a patient’s wristband and a medication barcode and check the information against the patient’s information in the EHR. That way they verify the right patient for the apt medication.

Telehealth. Through computers, nurses can provide care to patients who are at home. They can communicate via video calls, perform assessments, make diagnoses, and administer medication or schedule physical follow-ups.

Educational purposes. Nurses utilize computers to study the latest research findings in their field of practice. They obtain the latest information about apt care provision, medications, legal and ethical expectations, e.t.c. With the information, they can provide evidence-based updated health care services to patients improving patient outcomes.

Attributes of computers

 Types of computers used by nurses. Nurses mostly use desktop computers portable laptops, tablets, & Personal Digital Assistants (PDA). All of these devices serve the same basic purposes but the choice is determined by portability. For example, while in the office, the nurse may use a desktop. When attending to a patient in the ward they use a tablet or PDA. They may utilize a personal laptop when at home to access their organization’s EHRs. The computers are equipped with software designed for nursing purposes e.g. PEPID Professional Nursing Suite.

Accuracy. Computers are highly accurate with all their tasks. Any inaccuracy that is associated with computers originates from human error when interacting with the computer. The accuracy may as well be compromised by attack my malware which interferes with the computer system e.g by altering stored data or hacker activity. They have high diligence as they can perform millions of tasks simultaneously without fatigue and with equitable consistency.

Cost. Computers are generally affordable. The price will vary depending on the quality and performance of the computers I.e. the higher the performance the higher the price. Nonetheless, an average performance computer is relatively affordable by health care organizations.

BUY A SIMILAR PAPER HERE

Usability. They are very easy to use especially considering that manufacturers enhance usability constantly. One can learn to use a computer even without formal training. Only complex software need advanced training to acquire the know-how of using them. However, it is an expectation of nurses to be proven to be computer literate e.g through certification in most health organizations (Gürdaş& Kaya, 2015).

Accessibility. Computers are in abundance at this point. There are many companies producing computers. They are at health care organizations’ disposal whenever they need them. They can be bought online e.g through Amazon or from physical shops.

Advantages and disadvantages of computers as an educational tool

Advantages

They provide easy access to educational material. Nurses can easily find research findings on the internet via computers. They can do so wherever e.g in the clinic, at home, on the go e.t.c. The research updates them on the latest health findings and best practices. Equally, patients can utilize their computers to access health information on the internet. They are also able to access their personal health information from EHR records. Nurses can refer patients to websites such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention where they can obtain health education. Academic institutions are using computers to provide nursing education to students.

Disadvantages

Education through computers is hindered by a lack of knowledge to operate computers. When nurses are working with the elderly via computers, it becomes hard to educate them as they may not know how to operate computers, perform web research e.t.c.

The use of computers in relation to nursing professional standards and competencies.

Nurses are expected to adhere to all their professional standards when using computers to provide care to patients. They are expected to provide quality care through the precision entry, storage, access, retrieval, sharing, and utilization of computers. They are expected to use computers to educate themselves to enhance their professional development as well as educate patients. They should evaluate their practice against the standards of nursing to determine whether they are adhering to the standards e.g. by accessing the standards in a computer and examining their practices against the standards. They are supposed to utilize computers to enhance collegiality with fellow nurses, other health care professionals, and patients. They should utilize computers to better collaboration e.g. through communication via computers. They are expected to adhere to ethics and moral standards e.g in maintaining confidentiality when handling patient information. They are expected to conduct research via computers and integrate it into care provision (Melissa et al, 2016).

References

Gürdaş, T. S., & Kaya, N. (2015). Nurses’ computer literacy and attitudes towards the use of computers in health care. International journal of nursing practice, 21,     141-149.

Matsuda, L. M., Evora, Y. D. M., Higarashi, I. H., Gabriel, C. S., & Inoue, K. C.   (2015). Nursing informatics: unveiling the computer used by nurses. Retrieved 29^th          October 2020 from

https://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-0707201500010        0178

McCormick, K., & Saba, V. (2015). Essentials of nursing informatics. McGraw-Hill           Education.

Melissa, G., Pamela, H., Liana, O., Aimee, W., & Andrea, M. (2016). Connecting Professional Practice and Technology at the Bedside. Doi:        10.1097/CIN.0000000000000280. Retrieved 29^th October 2020 from

https://journals.lww.com/cinjournal/fulltext/2016/12000/Connecting_Professional            _Practice_and_Technology_at.6.aspx