Technology is turning images from science fiction into reality, but how is technology changing nursing? From a nurse’s standpoint, technology is eliminating extra steps by monitoring patient vitals and alerting the nurse when there is a problem. It is automatically recording patient data, entering it into the electronic health records system, and making the jobs of nurses easier in many other ways. Perhaps, though, the most exciting advances are those that directly affect the patient.
Advances in Genetics Enable Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases
According to the website OJIN most diseases and treatments have their foundation in genetics. We, humans, come programmed with a host of possible mutations that could result in illness. Our lifestyles and environments can trigger those changes and mutations. Advances in genetics enable doctors to find these conditions and treat them sooner, even in utero. These advances also mean that nurses need to be more educated about genetics and their impact on illness and treatment.
Advances in 3D Printing Open New Doors in Organ Replacement
3D printers can assemble, layer-by-layer, tissues that form organs. Using the patient’s own genetic materials, the risk of rejection can be reduced. 3D printers have already made skin, heart tissue and blood vessels, with the possibility of printing more complete organs expected in the future. 3D printing will change the duties of a transplant nurse, signs of transplant success and failure are sure to change.
Advances in Robotics Range from Animatronics to Microscopic Cameras
Biocomputing is resulting in artificial intelligence; computers are “learning” to make complex decisions based on programming. Experts predict that by the 2020s people will have robots in their homes just as we now have computers. The excitement, though, is about their use in medicine. Some android-type robots will assume simple patient care. Nano-robots will someday be injected into patient bloodstreams to locate and fix problems. Robotic mini-cameras and microphones could someday enable blind people to see and deaf people to hear. Robots caring for patients will free nurses for more challenging tasks, one of which will be assisting with the advanced robotics used to help treat patients.
Advances in Data Management Streamline Record Keeping
Electronic health records are making patient data more secure and facilitating easier coordination between medical practitioners, resulting in greater consistency in care. Electronic records also allow health records to be available at all times by all parties who may need them. That means pharmacists have data on drug sensitivities or interactions with other patient medications when they fill prescriptions, even in the middle of the night or on weekends. Nurses enter and interpret data much faster and with less errors than with hand-written notes. Adding to the efficiency of EHRs, biometrics is making the data safer by introducing fingerprint biometrics as a way to securely access the information.
The role of the professional nurse is evolving. To keep up with these changes, schools are introducing new technical and ethics courses to ensure nurses are prepared for the technology they will encounter in their jobs. Along with the advances come questions of ethics, and these also constitute new training grounds for students. While technology is changing nursing, it is generally for the better.
Related Resource: What is Nursing Informatics?