Point of Care Technology Group F

[kputman]

How has Point of care technology changed the way we care patient in and out of the hospital?

[jlight4]

I agree with documenting exactly what I see. There have been many times where I went in my patient's room to do an assessment and afterwards when to document my findings and have noticed that someone previously documented something completely different. Mind you, that the time span was not more than 30 minutes and just comparing the two assessments some would think something was seriously going wrong with the patient.

[jlight4]

Khristina, I agree with technology improving patient care overall, however I feel that the health care profession as a whole should come up with one specific way to achieve excellent patient care regarding technology. For example, at methodist hospitals we use the scanning method which is very beneficial for the patients because it basically ensures their 7 rights. But think.... not all hospitals use this methods for whatever reason, but look at all the good it does. As (future) new nurses we are going to be on our feet caring for 5+ patients ..... that sounds like a accident waiting to happen and with technology now some errors made can be prevented.

[Lizbethany13]

I definitely agree that the advancement of technology does not make the job of nursing care easier and that it does require a degree of work ethic and extensive knowledge and training. The advancement of technology brings with it a growing dependence on technology. One may find themselves solely dependent on technology or, in other words, dependent and solely trusting what the computer says and what the computer can do. This dependence can lead to a decrease in skills and awareness. (Similar to how one's use of calculators makes it where one is not so much dependent on simple math skills but on conveniently pushing those little buttons and quickly being given an answer- this convenience leads to one not using and practicing with their own knowledge and skills.) And with this advancing technology, there is still always a chance for human error and mistakes. I personally witnessed a human mistake on our floor during the most recent clinical day. As mentioned in earlier posts, the scanning of patient's armbands for medication administration was just implemented in February and it has been rather difficult for some nurses to get accustomed to because of their former ways of doing things. The whole "point of care technology" aspect was not often practiced before having to scan the armbands. Therefore, this new armband scanning process should have widely promoted this idea and insured that medication administration was documented at bedside. Well, a particular nurse made it know in the nurse's station how she had forgotten to scan her patient's armband for a recent IV push of a pain medication that she had administered earlier during her shift. Forgetting to chart that a medication was administered was a rather common issue that I had encountered before the armband scanning, and it is also an issue that is still occurring since the armband scanning started. So despite the advancement of technology and it being used to demand the use of point of care technology, it is evident that with this advancement a healthcare provider has to be just as hard-working, uphold ethical principles, and need to possess and utilize their knowledge and training.

These attributes are all required of the healthcare provider because as I stated before, with the advancement of technology comes with it an increasing dependence on technology and there is still always room for human error and mistakes. Dependence on technology and human error/mistakes is not a conducive combination in the healthcare setting. For example, as I mentioned with the nurse forgetting to scan the armband- this is an example of a human mistake. Therefore, this patient's medication record would not be a true reflection of what has been actually given to him in the past, so it would not be a useful tool for another colleague to depend on and use when caring for this patient. Another healthcare provider could view this patient's medication record and could administer the same drug not knowing the true time it was last given or administer another drug that could lead to adverse reactions. Lack of scanning and documentation could also lead a healthcare provider to making incorrect assumptions regarding pain management because they do not know how often a particular pain medication has been administered.

The benefits of point of care technology is that the healthcare provider can perform accurate, timely documentation on a patient. Because of this accuracy and timeliness, the documentation can then be shared and used as a dependable tool by other healthcare providers. This sharing of accurate information and continuous timely documentation leads to providing the patient with optimum care with less error. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the healthcare provider to continue to be hard-working, efficient, ethical, trained/skilled, and aware with point of care technology to receive the full benefit of its use which will improve healthcare across the board.

[Lizbethany13]

Reference for previous post:

Weckman, H., Janzen, S., (May 31, 2009) "The Critical Nature of Early Nursing Involvement for Introducing New Technologies" OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, Vol. 14, No. 2, Morificecript 2.

-Margaret Woods

[Lizbethany13]

Based on a post earlier from Amber, I would also have to agree that communication and explanation are key when using point of care technology in and out of the hospital setting. I would have to say that one of the main disadvantages to point of care technology is the inability of the healthcare provider to give their complete focus to the patient, while also performing accurate and timely documentation. Similar to Khristina, I have witnessed the shift of focus from patient to patient and computer personally in a clinical office setting with my child. During each visit, it seems as if the provider-patient interaction has been split into two parts. The first part consisting of complete focus on patient and guardian which includes the interview process, assessment, diagnosis, and planning. The second part consists of complete focus on the computer. I feel rather awkward when I have any questions or concerns while the provider is documenting and I feel a little uncomfortable in breaking the silence with my questions. I feel as if I would be affecting their concentration in the current task of documentation and paperwork via computer. Whether a provider documents and uses the computer throughout the entire interaction or waits until after fully dealing with the patient, that moment when the healthcare provider shifts focus from patient to computer creates a sense of awkwardness- this moment could lead to important questions being unanswered, the patient becoming less willing to share, and the patient becoming more intrigued by the focus shift and curious as to what is being done. I do also agree with Amber that there is a thin line that the healthcare provider must walk to provide highly focused patient care and to perform point of care technology. But after reading Laura's post, I do feel that there may be moments of silence and where the focus may be on a computer screen; however, these moments are needed to gain accurate, necessary information about the patient and document it in a way where it will be readily available for any other parties to use in the overall care of a patient. Therefore, I agree with Laura and I do believe that the benefits definitely outweigh the disadvantages when it comes to point of care technology.

Point of care of technology has definitely changed the focus in provider-patient interactions which may cause a few problems in communication; however, this advancement in technology has also changed the accuracy and timeliness of patient information. These technological changes made in healthcare are definitely more of a benefit to the patient than a disadvantage. Anything that benefits the patient in the healthcare setting is something definitely worth adding, keeping, and enhancing.

[kputman]

good points

[kputman]

Samantha,

You are realizing that when some one enters data that they must have integrity or it really is falsifying information

Kputman

[kputman]

K Strohm

You have stated some of the issues other people have concerning "turning your back on patient"

We do need to be cognizant of that fact.

It needs to be redesigned so that no backs are turned.

[kputman]

J Peredo,

Very good reflection and good observance. Sometimes I wonder if nurses who want you to just review the chart actually reviewed the chart themselves.

Interesting

KPUTMAN

[kputman]

jlight,

I like the statement that you document exactly what you see, That is an excellent way to think about it.

[kputman]

good observations

[kputman]

lbosi,

This is some thing we all need to remember. Chart what you see