Running head: NURSING TECHNOLOGIES

The Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery

Topic: Nursing Technologies

Role Transition

Issue Paper Writing

Faculties: Ms. Mehtab Jaffer and Ms. Shirin Rahim

Group 16

BScN Year IV

Areeba Rahim (527033), Inara Saleem (527058), Maria Baber (529799), Meraj Uddin

(527825), Nusrat Fatima (527963), Sanila Nadir (527588), and Zainish Salim (529212)

Date: December 15th, 2021

Word count: 1000 words

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Introduction

Healthcare nowadays is a far more advanced field than it was half a century ago. This

advancement could only happen due to the new nursing technologies introduced in past years.

“Nursing technology was defined as nursing tools, machines, automata, utensils, nursing

intervention procedures, health education techniques, substance, and clothes designed and

used by nurses in nursing practice.” (Bahari et al. 2021)

Nurses use these nursing technologies every day, which makes their work easier. These

include automatic BP apparatus, Portable Defibrillator and monitors, Electronic IV apparatus,

Electronic Health Records, Telehealth, Barcoding, and Radiofrequency Identification

Systems. Other than that, robotics are also introduced in nursing technology. These nursing

technologies not only give advantages to nurses but also benefit the patients.

Significance

Nursing technologies bring numerous benefits in improving the healthcare system. According

to Jelec et. al. (2016), less invasive technologies show better results and lower the risks for

patients. Technologies help in the early identification of the problems for prompt

interventions. It prevents the incidences of adverse effects and minimizes delays in nursing

interventions. Nurses can continuously monitor patient conditions and take immediate action.

Biometrics advances the confidentiality of healthcare documents which reduces management

costs.

E-health, telemedicine, and web support services help patients connect with the nurses and

doctors for consultations. Cloyd and Thompson (2020) reported that virtual nursing aids in

nurses’ retention as their physical requirement at the bedside decreases. Moreover, it helps

minimize the worldwide staff shortage and mitigate high healthcare costs.
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Prevalence

The data collected for the last 5 years shows that healthcare technologies are used 46% for

researches, 30% for implementation, and 12% for app development in various digital health

projects. (Kazi et al. 2020)

Globally, 7 million patients had used telemedicine by 2018 already. (Mikulic, M., 2021)

Plus, 86% of office-based physicians have adopted the electronic medication record system

EMR by 2017 in the US. (HealthIT.gov, 2021)

Global Perspective

Nurses throughout the globe are increasingly using modern technologies to improve nursing

care. These emerging modern technologies are:

- Artificial Intelligence is used to handle resource allocation like bed management in

the delivery department. (Gombolay et al., 2018).

- The Electronic infusion device is used to keep track of intravenous infusions.

- The Automatic Blood Pressure Cuff determines the heart rate of a patient and is more

efficient and accurate.

- Virtual Reality helps patients cope with painful procedures. It provides a soothing

environment in a high-stress healthcare setting by using diversions.

- Radio-Frequency Identification recognizes and tracks tags that contain electronically

recorded patient data using electromagnetic waves.

(6 Technologies That Changed Nursing, 2020)

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Local perspective

According to Kazi et.al. (2020) following nursing technologies are currently being used in

Pakistan:

- Information and communication technology is used for the electronic storage of

medical data, which reduces workload and saves time.

- Nurses use smartphones/mobile devices to instantly access drug references,

diagnoses, textbooks and other medical apps.

- SMS- based intervention helps in medication compliance after patients discharge from

the hospital.

Besides the technologies mentioned above, eDoctor, sehat Kahani, Teeku (app), and Dengue

Activity Tracking System have successfully been used in Pakistan.

Theory/Framework

With the advancement in nursing technologies, many models, theories and frameworks have

been introduced. Likewise, Locsin in 2005 introduced the theory of technological

competency as caring in nursing. It is a middle-range theory that emphasizes co-existence

between the core component of caring in nursing and the use of technology. His idea was to

preserve humanization with the growing use of technologies. Moreover, the NursingAl

framework has also been established in Europe, a document that contains four domains

(assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation) based on the nursing process. It serves as

a guide to using technology in nursing practice. ( NursingAl, 2021). Similarly, Powell-Cope

et al, 2008 after a literature review developed a conceptual framework that shows the

relationship between nurses and technology by predicting factors and outcomes with

technological use.
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Challenges/Strategies

Nurses are resistant to computerization, believing that computerized health information

systems are complicated. Those nurses lacking ICT knowledge think modern technologies are

dehumanizing by reducing face-to-face interaction between patients and health care staff.

Nurses also reported that it’s confusing, complex, and time-consuming. EHRs in the form of

large data are vulnerable to hacking, violating patients' right to confidentiality. Some

hospitals show a lack of interest in using modern technology because of increased

management costs. (Kim, Coiera & Magrabi, 2017). We can solve all these problems in such

a way that we can arrange training and workshops for nursing staff before implementing new

technologies in patient care. Plus, we can create awareness among the public about the

importance of modern technologies.

Recommendations

Here are the following recommendations for improving nursing technologies:

● Strengthening the implementation process, i.e., adoption, sustainability, and

dissemination of the services, there is a need for a clear vision from the hospital

management.

● Nurse leaders are required to play a vital role in supporting the staff and building their

competency. (Darvish et. al., 2014)

● Stakeholders should be involved in the process, including staff and service users.

● Ample resources should be provided, including fundings, time, and infrastructure.

● Integrate innovation with the existing healthcare policies and programs.

● Take regular feedback from the users and evaluate the efficiency of the technologies

and their satisfaction level.

(Nolte, 2018)
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Role of Nurses

Nurses play a vital role in applying and introducing complex systems in healthcare. They

promote nursing technologies by modifying the care process with advanced technologies and

building competencies. (Jelec et.al., 2016) Nurses assist patients in adapting to modern

technologies both in-person and virtually, such as smart beds, telehealth, etc. Moreover, nurse

leaders are reimaging technology by enhancing its implementation and adoption at hospitals

through strong protocols and policies.

Conclusion

Nursing technology is programming worldwide to benefit the patients. They enhance patient

care modalities and reduce health risks by helping in making prompt decisions. They have

numerous advantages that accelerate and advance the care process. Besides its benefits,

nurses face numerous challenges in its application. Therefore, hospitals should arrange

training and workshops for all staff regarding the use of modern technology.
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References

Bahari, K., Talosig, A. T., & Pizarro, J. B. (2021). Nursing Technologies Creativity as an

Expression of Caring: A Grounded Theory Study. Global Qualitative Nursing

Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/2333393621997397.

Competency Framework - NursingAI: Redefining Nursing Skills for AI and robotization in

health care. Projects.tib.eu. (2021). Retrieved 27 November 2021, from

https://projects.tib.eu/nursingai/competency-framework/.

Cloyd, B., & Thompson, J. (2020). Virtual care nursing: Nurse Leader, 18(2), 147–150.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2019.12.006

Darvish, A., Bahramnezhad, F., Keyhanian, S., & Navidhamidi, M. (2014). The role of

Nursing Informatics on promoting quality of health care and the need for appropriate

education. Global Journal of Health Science, 6(6).

https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v6n6p11

Gombolay, M., Yang, X., Hayes, B., Seo, N., Liu, Z., & Wadhwania, S. et al. (2018).

Robotic assistance in the coordination of patient care. The International Journal Of

Robotics Research, 37(10), 1300-1316. https://doi.org/10.1177/0278364918778344

Jelec, K., Sukalic, S., & Friganovic, A. (2016). Nursing and implementation of modern

technology. Sigma Vitae, 12(S1), 23–27. https://doi.org/10.22514/sv121.102016.3

Joseph, Maria & Inayat, Shafquat & Hussain, Muhammad & Afzal, Muhammad. (2019).

Factors Influencing Nurses' Attitudes towards Information Technology in Nursing

Practice. 7. 1751-1769

Kazi, A., Qazi, S., Ahsan, N., Khawaja, S., Sameen, F., & Saqib, M. et al. (2020). Current

Challenges of Digital Health Interventions in Pakistan: Mixed Methods Analysis.

Journal Of Medical Internet Research, 22(9), e21691. https://doi.org/10.2196/21691

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Kim, M., Coiera, E., & Magrabi, F. (2017). Problems with health information technology and

their effects on care delivery and patient outcomes: a systematic review. Journal Of

The American Medical Informatics Association, 24(2), 246-250. doi:

10.1093/jamia/ocw154

Locsin, R., & Purnell, M. (2015). Advancing the Theory of Technological Competency as

Caring in Nursing: The Universal Technological Domain. International Journal For

Human Caring, 19(2), 50-54. https://doi.org/10.20467/1091-5710-19.2.50

McKay, C., & Vanaskie, K. (2018). Partnering for success: The role of the nurse leader in

Health Information Technology implementation for coordination of care. Nurse

Leader, 16(6), 385–388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2018.07.012

Mikulic, M. (2021). Digital health. Statista. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from

https://www.statista.com/topics/2409/digital-health/#topicHeader__wrapper

Nolte, E. (2018). How do we ensure that innovation in health service delivery and

organization is implemented, sustained and spread? HEALTH SYSTEMS FOR

PROSPERITY AND SOLIDARITY, 3–21.

Percent of hospitals, by type, that possess Certified Health it. HealthIT.gov. (2021, July 22).

Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.healthit.gov/data/quickstats/percent-

hospitals-type-possess-certified-health-it.

Powell-Cope, G., L. Nelson, A., & S. Patterson, E. (2008). Patient Safety and Quality: An

Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. (p. Patient Care Technology and Safety).

Seven Nursing Technologies Transforming Patient Care. Western Governors University.

(2021). Retrieved 3 October 2021, from https://www.wgu.edu/blog/7-nursing-

technologies-transforming-patient-care1903.html#close
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Technologies That Changed Nursing | Duquesne University. Duquesne University School of

Nursing. (2020). Retrieved 2 April 2020, from

https://onlinenursing.duq.edu/blog/technologies-changed-nursing-forever/