Technology has significantly changed nursing for the better by improving patient care and making nurses more efficient. Wireless phone systems and personal data assistants allow nurses to be constantly reachable and well-organized. Handheld units and smartphone apps efficiently transmit patient information to electronic medical records. Government programs have also created national patient databases and health information technology systems to enhance care and reduce costs. While technology provides faster access to medical information and saves time for nurses, there are also risks like potential privacy breaches and dehumanizing the patient-nurse relationship.

1. TECHNOLOGY IN NURSING:
How technological advances have changed the world of nursing
for the better.

2. WHAT IS TECHNOLOGY?
• According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary:
<tech·nol·o·gy> is defined as:
• the practical application of knowledge especially in a
particular area.
• a manner of accomplishing a task especially using
technical processes, methods, or knowledge.
• Some examples of technology include, but are not limited
to: computers, cell phones, PDA’s, internet and much
more!

3. TECHNOLOGIES THAT
IMPROVE PATIENT CARE:
• Wireless Phone Systems
 Prevents any delay in care which has replaced most pager systems.
• Personal Data Assistants (PDA’s)
 Allows medical staff to be more organized and comes equipped with
many applications that have helped provide greater patient care.
• Handheld Units
 Handheld units are programmed to quickly and efficiently transmit
patient information to electronic medical records (EMR).
• Smart Phones
 Come equipped with an application called “pathways” which has
enabled medical professionals to gather patient information such as
conditions and symptoms.

4. Programs and Applications
• The Veterans Administration (VA).
 Has designed state of the art program that stores patients in a
nationwide database for more efficient documentation of patient.
• iTunes Applications:
 In 2011, iTunes launched a category of applications called: “iTunes
room for Healthcare”. This consisted of 50 applications for the
healthcare professional.
• Health Information Technology (HIT).
 This system has been put in place by the U.S. government. The goal
of HIT is to reduce cost and create higher standards of care for the
patient.

5. BENEFITS & RISKS:
BENEFITS:
 Higher standard of patient
care.
 Being able to access credible
website such as, but not
limited to: WebMd and
Mayoclinic.
 Having the latest information
on drug
interactions, symptoms, etc at
your finger tips.
 Time Saving for nurses.
RISKS:
 Possible HIPPA privacy
breaches.
 Making the patient feel less
like a human and more like a
“number”.
 Not viewed as positive by all
medical staff.