Nursing Technologies
The Healthcare system encounters dynamic challenges to the effectiveness in execution as different health conditions require an “on-toe” approach of care delivery. Continuous monitoring of patients involves the use of Information-communication system as a pillar of efficient implementation of nursing documentation. As such, nurses who act as communication directors and care coordinators demand a set of diverse skills to ensure optimum delivery. This paper aims at describing the roles played by nursing technologies and the call for technological competence in caring.
One such instance in the framework of nursing as caring is Intensive Care Information System (ICIS) used by nurses in the Intensive Care Units (ICU). Bosman and colleagues (2003) revealed that using ICIS inpatient care after cardiothoracic surgery sped up patent recovery and made the nurses’ work more comfortable. The time spent by nurses on documentation was reduced by up to 30 % (Bosman et al. 2003). The care team being observed was able to convey clinical data efficiently and effectively to other medical staff which in turn enabled better administration of antibiotics and suitable care methods. The prospect of an ageing population and numerous malignant illnesses requires attention to intensive care to be increased.
However, shortcomings such as inadequate information on infections due to the inaccessibility of standard clinical guidelines, and unreasonable prescription of antibiotics in the ICU brings up the need to use ICIS (Lising & Kennedi, 2005). This system can potentially be deemed a necessary solution for the Intensive care clinical practice since it can perform various tasks such as processing and storing clinical data in a manner that is easy to interpret, monitoring vital parameters that aid in detecting the specific illness by the care team among others.
Relatively few nurses can transition into this system since they have to use machines and equipment to exchange knowledge, skill and education. The use of this technology to monitor patients continuously brings the nurses close to the patients (Lising & Kennedi, 2005). As observed by Bosman et al., the nurses and patient were able to plan a mutual care process which allowed the organization of responsive nursing practice to fit the patients’ desires. By doing this, the nurses knew their patients through technology, which enabled them to view these individuals as active participants rather than objects of interest. This increased participation demonstrated the nurses’ intention to understand technology better.