[ANSWERED 2024] Post a brief description of general healthcare technology trends, particularly related to data/information you have observed in use in your healthcare

Post a brief description of general healthcare technology trends, particularly related to data/information you have observed in use in your healthcare

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.

To Prepare:

• 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

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.

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. doi:10.1016/j.pmn.2017.11.002

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Skiba, D. (2017). Evaluation tools to appraise social media and mobile applications. Informatics, 4(3), 32–40. doi:10.3390/informatics4030032

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Expert Answer and Explanation

Healthcare Information Technology Trends

Description of General Healthcare Trends

The 21^st century has been coupled with numerous technological advances that seek to completely revolutionize the face of care. Among some of the biggest trends in healthcare is the use of electronic health records, artificial intelligence, and other more specific technologies such as biosensor tools. According to Cowie et al. (2017), electronic health records are the digital versions of patient charts that make instant availability of information of patients to the authorized users, as well as treatment and medical history of the patient.

These electronic health records help in improving the ability of healthcare givers to share patient information and to coordinate the improvement of the patients (Barak-Corren et al., 2017). Artificial intelligence (AI) systems, on the other hand, are computerized simulations of human beings that can perform human functions such as data management, patient diagnoses, and routine medication. AI systems help in ensuring that the human elements of fatigue and making errors are reduced throughout the provision of care. These trends in healthcare have led to a complete change in the face of care.

Potential Threats that may be Inherent to the Healthcare Trends

While electronic health records help in making patient information instantly to the authorizes users, there is the risk of insecurity of the data, so that it gets to the wrong uses or to the wrong users. Whenever a patient submits their information to a database, it becomes hard for them to assume control over it, especially when some of them are too sick.

People who are in teaching hospitals engage in a lot of research that uses patient data, and some of the time, they may not obtain proper consent before using this data (Rao-Gupta et al., 2017). This is one of the threats that jeopardizes the application of this technology in the healthcare continuum. Similarly, AI can be lethal if there is a problem in programming that proves to be challenging to patient outcomes.

Potential Benefits and Potential Risks associated with Data Safety, Legislation, and Patient Care for the Described Technologies

One of the potential benefits of using electronic health records with regard to legislation, data safety, and patient care is that it is easy to have a track of the usage of information from a system. This means that it would be hard for anyone to use the information for the wrong purposes (Skiba, 2017). A potential risk for the same is the fact that in some of the cases, such as the case of patients who are too sick, it may be hard to coordinate the system with things that require the conscious of the individuals, such as consent on health procedures.

Most Promising Healthcare Trends in Impacting Nursing Practice

I believe the rise of Artificial Intelligence is the most promising healthcare trend in nursing practice for several reasons. Top in the list is the fact that these technology systems help in reducing the ongoing problem of nursing shortage (Dykes et al., 2017). Also, it is clear that developments in technology are likely to solve some of the problems that are currently associated with the technology to make it even more efficient.

Description of how this Practice will Contribute to Improving Patient Care Outcomes, Data Management, and Efficiencies

By reducing the problems associated with nursing shortage, it is clear that patient care outcomes are bound to improve at a great degree. Also, proper coordination of health information leads to reduced medical errors, which improves healthcare outcomes. Lastly, through these developments, it is easy to reduce the medical readmission rates in hospitals.

References

Barak-Corren, Y., Castro, V. M., Javitt, S., Hoffnagle, A. G., Dai, Y., Perlis, R. H., … & Reis, B. Y. (2017). Predicting suicidal behavior from longitudinal electronic health records. American journal of psychiatry, 174(2), 154-162.

Cowie, M. R., Blomster, J. I., Curtis, L. H., Duclaux, S., Ford, I., Fritz, F., … & Michel, A. (2017). Electronic health records to facilitate clinical research. Clinical Research in Cardiology, 106(1), 1-9.

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

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. doi:10.1016/j.pmn.2017.11.002

Skiba, D. (2017). Evaluation tools to appraise social media and mobile applications. Informatics, 4(3), 32–40. doi:10.3390/informatics4030032

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FAQs

What are the information technology trends in healthcare?

1. Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring:
   • The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth services, allowing patients to consult with healthcare providers remotely.
   • Remote patient monitoring (RPM) using wearables and other devices became more prevalent, enabling continuous tracking of vital signs and health metrics.
2. Healthcare Analytics and Big Data:
   • Big data analytics played a crucial role in healthcare for predictive analytics, population health management, and personalized medicine.
   • Data-driven decision-making and the integration of electronic health records (EHRs) contributed to better patient care and operational efficiency.
3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML):
   • AI and ML applications in healthcare included disease prediction, diagnostic support, drug discovery, and personalized treatment plans.
   • Chatbots and virtual health assistants improved patient engagement and provided instant responses to healthcare queries.
4. Blockchain in Healthcare:
   • Blockchain technology was explored for enhancing security, interoperability, and the integrity of health data.
   • Smart contracts and decentralized systems aimed to streamline data sharing and reduce fraud in healthcare transactions.
5. Internet of Things (IoT) in Healthcare:
   • IoT devices, such as connected medical devices and wearables, facilitated real-time monitoring and data collection.
   • IoT helped in creating a more interconnected healthcare ecosystem, improving patient outcomes and reducing costs.
6. Cybersecurity Measures:
   • With the increasing digitization of healthcare data, there was a growing focus on cybersecurity to protect patient information and ensure the integrity of healthcare systems.
7. 3D Printing in Healthcare:
   • 3D printing technology was used for creating personalized medical devices, prosthetics, and even organs for transplantation.
8. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR):
   • AR and VR found applications in medical training, surgical planning, and patient education, enhancing the overall healthcare experience.
9. Genomics and Precision Medicine:
   • Advances in genomics and personalized medicine led to more targeted treatments based on individual genetic profiles.
10. Robotic Process Automation (RPA):
    • RPA was employed to automate routine administrative tasks, improving efficiency and reducing errors in healthcare processes.

What are the future health information technologies?

1. AI-Driven Drug Discovery:
   • Further integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in drug discovery processes to accelerate the identification and development of new pharmaceuticals.
2. Digital Therapeutics:
   • Expansion of digital therapeutics, which are software-based interventions to prevent, manage, or treat medical conditions. These could include apps for mental health, chronic disease management, and more.
3. Healthcare Blockchain Advancements:
   • Continued exploration of blockchain for secure and interoperable health data exchange, including patient records and supply chain management.
4. Enhanced Telehealth Services:
   • Ongoing improvements in telehealth services, with advancements in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for more immersive and interactive remote consultations.
5. Wearable Technology Evolution:
   • Further development of wearable devices with enhanced sensing capabilities for continuous health monitoring and more accurate data collection, contributing to personalized healthcare.
6. Edge Computing in Healthcare:
   • The adoption of edge computing for real-time data processing and analysis, reducing latency and enhancing the efficiency of healthcare systems.
7. Internet of Medical Things (IoMT):
   • Expansion of IoMT with more connected medical devices, fostering a more integrated and interconnected healthcare ecosystem.
8. Voice-Enabled Healthcare Assistants:
   • Increased use of voice-activated technologies for hands-free access to health information, medication reminders, and general health guidance.
9. Personalized Medicine Advancements:
   • Continued progress in genomics and personalized medicine, with more tailored treatment plans based on individual genetic and molecular profiles.
10. Quantum Computing Applications:
    • Exploration of quantum computing for complex healthcare simulations, drug discovery optimization, and solving intricate medical research problems.
11. Cybersecurity Innovations:
    • Ongoing developments in cybersecurity measures to address evolving threats and protect sensitive health information in increasingly digital healthcare environments.
12. Robotic Surgery and Assistance:
    • Advancements in robotic technologies for surgery, with more precise and minimally invasive procedures, as well as robotic assistance in routine healthcare tasks.