Healthcare Technology and Nursing
Leadership
"The United States has the opportunity to
transform its healthcare system, and nurses can and should play a fundamental
role in this transformation."
The goal of health care is to provide higher quality, cost-eeffective care using electronic information exchange among healthcare providers and patients. Data management supports informed decision-making. The goal of technology is to have the right information always available at the right time. Achievement of these goals requires facilitating electronic exchange of health information while preserving privacy and security, increasing interoperable exchange of information, and promoting nationwide adoption of EHRs and personal health records.
Advantages to Using Technology in Healthcare:
1. Delivering higher quality healthcare to patients
2. Reduction of medical errors
3. Quick assessment/Monitor patient status
4. Communication between providers for consults
6. Quick access to patient information (necessary in emergency situations)
Nurse leaders have a large impact and critical contribution in facilitating successful integration and maximization of technology to improve patient safety. In successful integration, the nurse leader needs to create a shared vision for the priority of health information technology use, facilitate open communication between nurses and IT departments, provided advocacy for clinical recommendations, and uses systematic problem solving skills for integrating technology with patient care.
A leader can enhance creativity by building an environment of trust and interpersonal relationships, along with promoting a willingness to listen and spirit of cooperation. In addition, a key is providing a wealth of useful information to staff and creatively educating nurses on technology in healthcare. Health information systems provide leaders and managers with day-to-day information on patient flow and acuity, resource use, and staffing levels.
Here is a link for some information on : The Impact of Emerging Technology on Nursing Care
References:
Healthcare environment: Innovation, technology and legal issues in nursing. Nurse Executive Review and Resource Manual, 2nd Edition. Retrieved February 28, 2015 from http://www.
nursecredentialing.org/documents/certification/reviewmanuals/nurseexecchapter.aspx
Benefits of EHRs. (2015). Health IT.gov Retrieved February 28, 2015 from http://healthit.gov/providers-professionals/electronic-medical-records-emr
Vogelsmeier, A., & Scott-Cawiezell, J. (2009). The role of nursing leadership in successful technology implementation. Journal of Nursing Administration, 37(7/8), 313-314.