Smart watches for health care providers

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Specializes in Primary Care Clinics.

My old Apple watch 3 of 3+ years hit the steering wheel in my car a few months back and the face came apart. I vowed not to replace it because I felt like it was a big waste of money at the time.  Although, it was highly effective in keeping me motivated and on schedule during pre-reqs and nursing school with the timers and air pods controls for ebook apps (excluding its use during testing etc.) I figured I didn't really need it post graduation because life should be easier now.  However, I still missed the feature of quick alerts, fast access to my air pods etc.

So after several months of surviving nursing without my Apple watch I am now doing training on a 'higher paced' busy nursing unit.  Medications are passed at 9am, 11am, 1pm, 5pm, and 7pm sometimes.  I have to check new orders at least every 2 hours, turn patients every 2 hours, disconnect IVPB bags every 30 minutes to an hour.  Check labs, draw labs, recheck vitals, check patient appointments, check that patients got their  breakfast, lunch, and dinner, check input and output.  Document a frequent nursing note, a nursing assessment note, an intake/output note, and a nursing care plan note/ or review previous.  I haven't even done admission or discharge notes yet!

Sometimes my preceptor will kindly ask me if I noticed a new order that a doctor placed about 10 minutes ago on my patient and I am thinking "how is this possible?" and usually my answer is "I haven't seen that yet".  Don't get me wrong I also sometimes see the orders before my preceptor does.... and my preceptors are great.

So last during 12 hour shift I noticed a nurse wearing her "beautiful pale pink Apple watch with an OtterBox protector over the face"..... and what do I do on my day off..... that's right.... I go to my Apple store app and order the cheaper SE version, 44in, with GPS/cellular, looped arm band and an "OtterBox face protector".  

I plan to set timers and alarms all day long and can't wait to see if a little organization makes me more efficient in performing task.  Do I really think I need an Apple watch to do my job?  absolutely not.  Do I miss the "convenience" of the Apple watch? definitely yes, I do.  I realize I can do all these features on my iPhone, but the watch will look more professional while monitoring alarms/alerts etc.

I don't have any issues with cleansing the Apple watch with soap, water, alcohol, bleach if needed.  I also where my PPE gowns and gloves which cover the whole arm for those more intimate patient care needs.  My only past issue was hitting the face of the watch on things (hence why I need the OtterBox protection for the face).

If any one knows any apps or ways that help nurses with organizing task on the smart watch, please let me know????  I am interested in learning all I can about the benefits of "modern technology" in this fast paste and highly technical life of nursing.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Hey! Techno dinosaur here.

Zapi791 - I give you mucho credit for seeking to find something, anything to help you get thru your tough career days.

Welcome to AN & good luck.

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Specializes in clinic nurse.

This is an old post, I realize, but I just purchased a Venu SQ smart watch and Ilke it, but the second hand goes dim after < 15 seconds. How do nurses who use smart watches take a pulse or count an RR if the watch face doesn't stay illuminated?

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

Because they also function as a phone and camera we are not allowed to have smart watches on the unit.

 

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Specializes in Primary Care Clinics.
16 hours ago, JVBT said:

This is an old post, I realize, but I just purchased a Venu SQ smart watch and Ilke it, but the second hand goes dim after < 15 seconds. How do nurses who use smart watches take a pulse or count an RR if the watch face doesn't stay illuminated?

Go to settings and see if you have the option to extend the screen time to 1.5 minute.

14 hours ago, hppygr8ful said:

Because they also function as a phone and camera we are not allowed to have smart watches on the unit.

 

Sad to hear.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
55 minutes ago, Zapi791 said:

Go to settings and see if you have the option to extend the screen time to 1.5 minute.

Sad to hear.

Why is this sad? Serious breaches in patient privacy can occur and in no setting that I have ever worked is having a personal cel phone on teh unit allowed.

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Specializes in Primary Care Clinics.
On 8/10/2022 at 11:36 PM, hppygr8ful said:

Why is this sad? Serious breaches in patient privacy can occur and in no setting that I have ever worked is having a personal cel phone on teh unit allowed.

I haven't heard of any privacy breeches at the facility with smart watches, but I am sure if it happens they will change the policies and ban them too. We have more patients and family having privacy breeches.  It would be sad for me to let my smart watch go because I use it to set multiple alarms and timers to stay on schedule with multiple task and also it also alerts me to any emergencies while I am at work.  I enjoy the convenience and efficiency it provides me with work. I was referring to sadness for me, not for you. I am sure it is a blessing for you not to be dependent on it.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
16 hours ago, Zapi791 said:

I haven't heard of any privacy breeches at the facility with smart watches, but I am sure if it happens they will change the policies and ban them too. We have more patients and family having privacy breeches.  It would be sad for me to let my smart watch go because I use it to set multiple alarms and timers to stay on schedule with multiple task and also it also alerts me to any emergencies while I am at work.  I enjoy the convenience and efficiency it provides me with work. I was referring to sadness for me, not for you. I am sure it is a blessing for you not to be dependent on it.

I probably would like to have one but I am also going to be 60 in 6 months and though I am pretty good with most computer/software stuff. I never really embraced smaller new fangeled devices.

Hppy

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I have an Apple Watch 7 - Nike edition. Definitely recommend the Nike edition because it’s the same price & had better watch face options. I also like it’s always on, so it doesn’t go black on me.

The main app that I think it a hidden gem is called “Bear,” which let’s me take notes verbally. I take notes of my pt’s vitals, reminders to chart something, supply room needs list etc. I also use it when I first get on the unit to take down my room/pt assignment before I set my stuff down. This app also links to my phone. 

I never break confidentiality because I NEVER use pt identifying info in my notes, just a room number, if that. 

I also of course use the timers function, and count RR & HR with either a timer or the stopwatch function. 

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
3 hours ago, K. Everly said:

The main app that I think it a hidden gem is called “Bear,” which let’s me take notes verbally. I take notes of my pt’s vitals, reminders to chart something, supply room needs list etc. I also use it when I first get on the unit to take down my room/pt assignment before I set my stuff down. This app also links to my phone. 

I like this app idea I'll have to see if it's available on my I-phone. Not for work but because I am forever forgetting where I put things around the house!

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.
On 8/11/2022 at 12:36 AM, hppygr8ful said:

Why is this sad? Serious breaches in patient privacy can occur and in no setting that I have ever worked is having a personal cel phone on teh unit allowed.

I work private duty home care. If I didn't have my phone, I would have no way to call for help, be that 911 or simply checking something out with the mom. Very few people have land line phones in their homes. And, while some parents might be willing to have a cell phone in the home for the nurse, that isn't a given. Nor would I be sure that it was always available.

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Specializes in CNA telemetry progressive care ICU.

This is neat to know but im curious with all of thes factors on how to do your daily work within nursing how does the place of employment support your efforts with assisting to provide quality care what sort of technology is used at your place of work may I ask? What sort of monitors ans communi ation devices are used for coworkers ans managers as well as upper management? As it comes across that your place of employment has some very strict rules ans has high performance expectations  as it seems you yourself are on a timer....

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