Posted: March 27th, 2023

Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends

Healthcare Information Technology Trends NURS 6051

Discussion: Healthcare Information Technology Trends

Throughout history, technological advancements have appeared for one purpose before finding applications elsewhere that lead to spikes in its usage and development. The internet, for example, was originally developed to share research before becoming a staple of work and entertainment. But technology—new and repurposed—will undoubtedly continue to be a driver of healthcare information. Informaticists often stay tuned to trends to monitor what the next new technology will be or how the next new idea for applying existing technology can benefit outcomes.

In this Discussion, you will reflect on your healthcare organization’s use of technology and offer a technology trend you observe in your environment. Healthcare Information Technology Trends NURS 6051

To Prepare for Healthcare Information Technology Trends NURS 6051:
Reflect on the Resources related to digital information tools and technologies.
Consider your healthcare organization’s use of healthcare technologies to manage and distribute information.
Reflect on current and potential future trends, such as use of social media and mobile applications/telehealth, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled asset tracking, or expert systems/artificial intelligence, and how they may impact nursing practice and healthcare delivery.
By Day 3 of Week 6 of Healthcare Information Technology Trends NURS 6051
Post a brief description of general healthcare technology trends, particularly related to data/information you have observed in use in your healthcare organization or nursing practice. Describe any potential challenges or risks that may be inherent in the technologies associated with these trends you described. Then, describe at least one potential benefit and one potential risk associated with data safety, legislation, and patient care for the technologies you described. Next, explain which healthcare technology trends you believe are most promising for impacting healthcare technology in nursing practice and explain why. Describe whether this promise will contribute to improvements in patient care outcomes, efficiencies, or data management. Be specific and provide examples.

By Day 6 of Week 6 of Healthcare Information Technology Trends NURS 6051
Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days, offering additional/alternative ideas regarding opportunities and risks related to the observations shared.

*Note: Throughout this program, your fellow students are referred to as colleagues.

Submission and Grading Information

Also Read:

Policy/Regulation Fact Sheet NURS 6051

Big Data Risks and Rewards NURS 6051

NURS 6051 Discussion: Interaction Between Nurse Informaticists and Other Specialists

Healthcare Information Technology Trends NURS 6051 Week 6 Discussion Resources
Required Readings

Healthcare Information Technology Trends NURS 6051

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Chapter 14, “The Electronic Health Record and Clinical Informatics” (pp. 267–287)
Chapter 15, “Informatics Tools to Promote Patient Safety and Quality Outcomes” (pp. 293–317)
Chapter 16, “Patient Engagement and Connected Health” (pp. 323–338)
Chapter 17, “Using Informatics to Promote Community/Population Health” (pp. 341–355)
Chapter 18, “Telenursing and Remote Access Telehealth” (pp. 359–388)
Dykes, P. C., Rozenblum, R., Dalal, A., Massaro, A., Chang, F., Clements, M., Collins, S. …Bates, D. W. (2017). Prospective evaluation of a multifaceted intervention to improve outcomes in intensive care: The Promoting Respect and Ongoing Safety Through Patient Engagement Communication and Technology Study. Critical Care Medicine, 45(8), e806–e813. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000002449

HealthIT.gov. (2018c). What is an electronic health record (EHR)? Retrieved from

https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-electronic-health-record-ehr

Rao-Gupta, S., Kruger, D. Leak, L. D., Tieman, L. A., & Manworren, R. C. B. (2018). Leveraging interactive patient care technology to Improve pain management engagement. Pain Management Nursing, 19(3), 212–221.

Skiba, D. (2017). Evaluation tools to appraise social media and mobile applications. Informatics, 4(3), 32–40.

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Public Health Informatics [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Accessible player –Downloads– Download Video w/CC Download Audio Download Transcript

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Electronic Records and Managing IT Change [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author. Healthcare Information Technology Trends NURS 6051

Accessible player –Downloads– Download Video w/CC Download Audio Download Transcript

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One significant trend is the use of telehealth and mobile health applications. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telehealth as a means of delivering healthcare services remotely, especially for non-emergency visits. Telehealth has become an essential tool for providing care while minimizing exposure to COVID-19, and it offers many benefits, including reduced costs, improved access to care, and increased patient satisfaction. However, telehealth also presents challenges related to data privacy, security, and connectivity issues.

Another trend is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in healthcare. AI and ML can assist in identifying patterns and insights from patient data, predicting outcomes, and developing personalized treatment plans. AI-enabled chatbots can also provide 24/7 support for patients and improve the efficiency of triaging patients to the right care settings. However, AI and ML also raise concerns around privacy, bias, and trust.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is another trend that has implications for healthcare. IoT-enabled devices, such as wearables and sensors, can collect real-time data on patients’ health status and behaviors, providing healthcare providers with more comprehensive and personalized information to support decision-making. However, IoT also raises concerns around data privacy, security, and the accuracy and reliability of the data collected.

Regarding data safety, legislation, and patient care, one potential benefit of healthcare technologies is the ability to collect and analyze large amounts of data to improve patient outcomes and population health. However, this also raises concerns about the use of patient data and the need for regulations to protect patient privacy.

Among these trends, I believe that AI and ML have the most promise for impacting healthcare technology in nursing practice. AI and ML can help nurses to make more informed decisions about patient care, improve the accuracy of diagnoses, and enhance the efficiency of care delivery. For example, AI can assist in detecting early signs of sepsis, reducing the risk of complications and improving patient outcomes. In addition, AI-enabled chatbots can help to reduce nurse workload by answering patients’ questions and concerns, allowing nurses to focus on more complex patient care tasks.

In conclusion, while healthcare technology offers many benefits, it also presents challenges related to data privacy, security, and accuracy. As healthcare technology continues to evolve, it is essential to balance the potential benefits and risks and implement appropriate safeguards to protect patient privacy and ensure the quality and safety of care.