Today we celebrate International Nursing Day and we thought it was important that we join in the celebrations and thank our wonderful nurses for all they do, especially over the last few years during the Covid-19 pandemic.
We then got thinking about technology and the impact it’s had on the profession, creating thousands of highly skilled jobs in the tech sector that make a very tangible impact on everyone’s lives.
As more of the population ages, as life expectancy increases, and as the nursing shortage continues, these new medical technologies are crucial for continued patient care and the healthcare system at large.
New medical technologies can make life easier for medical professionals and patients alike. Certain technologies can make patient care easier and more efficient for the doctors and nurses who manage a large patient load. They can also assist patients in getting the care they need with more convenient and accessible options.
Automated IV pumps control the dosages and drips given to patients. Software and medical tech allow nurses to change the drip amounts and medication doses so patients aren’t waiting for changes. There are IV pumps for nutrition that give needed meals at the right times. Additionally, there are self-pumps that allow patients to increase a controlled amount of pain medication for themselves.
Automated IV pumps help speed up nursing processes and can be crucial if there is a need for immediate adjustment. Changing medication through an automated process also removes elements of human error that could present issues for clinical patients and hospitals.
Automated IV kits give nurses opportunities to focus on other areas of work, instead of having to measure and give medication or food. Hospitals all have different kinds of automated IV pumps, so training and education is often based on the specific hospital or clinic where nurses work.
Additionally, many nursing schools give training and information on new software and technology, including how automated IV pumps work and why they’re valuable.
Portable monitor equipment allows nursing professionals to check on patients, even if they’re on the move or busy helping someone else. Portable devices monitor vital signs like ECG, respiratory rates, and oxygen saturations while transmitting the information back to a central monitor. This means that nurses will get an alarm notification if there’s an emergency.
Most hospitals have nurses check levels hourly. Portable monitoring technology allows nurses to track and note stats at the right time, even if there are a lot of other things going on. This helps them constantly monitor patients from anywhere in the hospital. The alerts and alarms sent to nurses through the portable monitor can save lives.
Nurses learn at their specific hospital how to utilize portable monitors, and nursing schools help teach students the value and general use of many common pieces of equipment.
Smart bed technology can help nurses track movement, weight, and even vitals. Smart beds also play a major role in keeping patients safe and comfortable during a long hospital stay. With the number of falls and patient injuries inside hospitals, smart beds are very important for patient safety.
Smart bed technology gives nurses a constant in-room monitor that provides them with regular updates and communications on a patient’s activities. It can also help them identify patterns, which can lead to a new diagnosis or a different understanding of a condition.
Nurses also spend less time coming in and adjusting supplies and medical equipment for comfort or safety because they can help control that with their smart bed. It allows providers to get back to other important work that only humans can do.
Wearable devices and mobile apps are transforming the healthcare industry. Devices that help track heart rates, exercise, sleep, respiration, and more are helping people take their health into their own hands.
With increased accessibility to iPhones, nurses also benefit from apps and devices that help them care for patients.
Wearable devices from health tracking to specific patient monitoring are often called the future of healthcare. With access to huge amounts of data, wearable devices can help the entire healthcare process, from diagnosis to recovery.
They also help remove elements of human error for nurses because the communication of data comes directly from the device itself. It allows for faster record keeping and helps patients and nurses maintain consistent monitoring of health.
Electronic Health Records are replacing older paper filing methods. Electronic Health Records allow nursing experts to document care provided to patients and retrieve information that can help prioritize care. Additionally, information entered into computer systems can then be accessed by the care team, including doctors and even patients themselves when necessary.
EHRs can tell nurses whether there are further steps they need to take for a patient, monitor small condition changes, and give them information immediately as alerts or reminders.
One of the newest ideas for hospitals, centralized command centres promise improved patient experiences and better ways for nurses and doctors to manage supplies, clinical technology, and capacity. This is done through software applications such as dashboards that provide real-time updates.
With shorter or non-existent delays between transitions of care, nurses and doctors can actively be aware of room availability, OR schedules, and what individual patients still need before being discharged. This allows everyone to do their job more efficiently and help patients more effectively.
Telehealth is a valuable, newer element in healthcare. Hospitals and clinics allow patients to virtually video chat with a doctor or nurse to describe their symptoms or show doctors things like rashes or bumps. This helps patients with a quick diagnosis without leaving the comfort of their own home. They can find out if they need to come in for further testing or diagnosis, get a prescription for medicine, or get medical advice.
Telehealth saves both patients and doctors money and time. Similarly, it prevents sick patients from coming to public places and exposing other patients. This technology is changing the way clinics operate and how patients are cared for.
Apps can also help address mental health issues. Mindfulness apps help individuals understand their mental health and energy and remind them to take time for these important aspects of wellness.
As you can see, technology is now playing an ever-increasing part in our general healthcare system enabling nurse to work smarter and more efficiently, it’s exciting to imagine what the future will bring and how tech can further improve outcomes for patients.
If you’re looking for a new opportunity in tech or you’re an employer recruiting, we would like to hear from you and support you on your next role.
You can reach our team of specialist tech recruiters here or call in on 0121 651 1062.
