The future of nursing tech

Introduction

The healthcare industry is continuously evolving, driven by technological advancements aimed at enhancing patient care, improving outcomes, and streamlining operations. Within this dynamic landscape, the nursing workforce is pivotal, serving as the frontline caregivers responsible for delivering quality care to patients. However, the nursing profession faces significant challenges, including staffing shortages, burnout, and high turnover rates, which can ultimately impact patient outcomes. In response to these challenges, innovative technologies leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) are emerging to support and empower nursing professionals. Technology can be defined as items, machinery, and equipment that are connected to knowledge and management to maximize efficiency. Technology is not only the equipment itself, but also the knowledge of how to use it and the ability to convert it into nursing care[1].

This article explores the historical context, current trends, and future prospects of technology in healthcare tailored to the nursing workforce.

The history of technology in healthcare dates back centuries, with innovations continually transforming the practice of nursing. By being primary providers of hands-on care in many healthcare settings, nurses are directly exposed to resource requirements and development, as well as the evidence and knowledge required to advance the healthcare field. Nursing innovations include the advancements made in understanding head injuries during the First World War, along with wound care, shell shock and numerous others. Nurses have also been innovative in technological developments for health care delivery, such as using the telephone to provide follow-up care and to deliver care to less developed areas. Nurses provide innovation in education delivery by constantly incorporating new technology and research into the field through nursing informatics[2].

From the introduction of basic medical instruments to the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs), nurses have witnessed remarkable advancements in their profession. In the early stages, technology primarily focused on automating administrative tasks and managing patient data. While these innovations improved efficiency, they did not directly address the challenges faced by nurses in their daily practice. However, the integration of AI-driven solutions specifically designed to address the unique needs of nursing staff has been relatively recent, or I might say, even absent. It wasn't until the advent of AI and machine learning that the potential to revolutionize nursing care became more apparent.

Current Trends in Nursing Technology

With the history of technology in nursing primarily developing from the EHR, current trends have taken a multifaceted approach to the integration of smart equipment, technical advancements, and virtual access to patient care. The nursing profession finds many of these new medical technologies help them with routine processes, as well as decrease human mistakes and errors that can come from too few nurses who are working long hours with too many patients [3].  Prominent technology trends in today’s healthcare industry include automated IV pumps; portable monitors; smart beds; wearable and mobile devices; centralized command centers; mobile workstations; telehealth; and the EHR.  While technologies may support the work of the nurse today, the focus relates mostly to patient monitoring, which serves as only a minor functionality of the nurse’s comprehensive approach to patient care.  Aside from the nurse’s role as a primary facilitator of effective collaboration in managing the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the patient, the following technologies supplement the work of the nurse today.

Automated IV pumps

Automated, or “smart”, IV pumps control drip medication and nutrition amounts based on pharmacy calculations for patient-specific dosages.  Automated IV pumps help speed up nursing processes and can be crucial if there is a need for immediate adjustment [3].

Portable Monitors

Portable devices monitor vital signs like ECG, respiratory rates, and oxygen saturations while transmitting the information back to a central monitor [3].  Not only do portable monitors promote accessibility, but their alarm features also enhance nurse response resulting in faster treatment and better patient outcomes.

Smart Beds

Smart bed technology not only offers a more comfortable patient stay, but also provides the nurse with specific data while fostering an environment of safety.  Smart bed technology gives nurses a constant in-room monitor that provides them with regular updates and communications on a patient’s activities [3].

Wearable and Mobile Devices

Wearable and mobile devices offer more accessible ways for patients to track their own health, while giving nurses better, more efficient access in providing care, or education.  For example, iPhones have applications for nurses to access the most up-to-date information on medications and diagnoses, while these devices allow patients to log personal health information including emergency contacts; allergies; height; weight; and exercise data.  Devices that help track heart rates, exercise, sleep, respiration, and more are helping people take their health into their own hands [3].  Utilizing wearable and mobile devices can not only improve nursing care, but also enhance the overall health of patients while minimizing medical errors and promoting preventative measures.

Centralized Command Centers

Software-enabled command centers offer real-time updates, improve patient experiences, and help nurses stay more actively aware of schedules, patient needs and room availability [4].  Dashboards and platforms designed to manage organizational operations such as managing supplies, census, budgeting, scheduling, and staffing allow nursing teams to work at a higher level of functionality.  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 [3].  Centralized Command Centers enable healthcare professionals to access information needed in one location.

Mobile Workstations

Mobile workstations such as computers on wheels have become smaller and more lightweight for ease of transitioning patient information, equipment, medication, and education to the bedside. Research by Guillot (2020) notes, “Already overloaded as it is, nurses seek ways to eliminate steps in the workflow, not add more. When they can deliver seamless care, interacting easily at the patient’s bedside, it enhances the hospital environment”.

Telehealth

Telehealth enables the convenience of patients receiving virtual care in the comfort of their own environment, saving money and time.  Health history, symptoms, and medications are obtained in telehealth visits, allowing diagnosis and/or the need for an in-person visit to be established.  A decrease in the amount of in-person visits also minimizes the risk of exposing others to illness. Increasing app and telehealth technology gives doctors, nurses, and patients themselves more control over their health (“Seven nursing technologies transforming patient care,” 2021).

Electronic Health Record

Electronic Health Records allow nursing experts to document care provided to patients and retrieve information that can help prioritize care (“Seven nursing technologies transforming patient care,” 2021).  The availability of patient information electronically not only maximizes efficiency in the transmission of data across providers, but also gives insights in real-time.  EHRs can tell registered nurses (RNs) 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 [3].  While the security and privacy of health information may be of concern with EHRs, laws protect both patients and nurses by ensuring the correct usage to remain safe and proficient.

While technology enhances the nurse’s efficiency in delivering optimal patient care, today’s resources remain relatively limited in comparison to where the future of technology in healthcare is projected to attain. With AI at the forefront of innovation, nurses have a unique opportunity to lean on technology for more than patient monitoring and the exchange of health information.

In recent years, there has been a notable surge in the development of technology targeting the nursing workforce. AI-powered solutions are being increasingly utilized to optimize staffing, mitigate burnout, and enhance patient care. One such example is predictive analytics, which leverages data from various sources to forecast patient admissions, identify staffing needs, and allocate resources effectively.

Additionally, AI-driven clinical decision support systems assist nurses in making informed decisions by analyzing patient data, identifying patterns, and recommending appropriate interventions. These systems not only streamline workflow but also contribute to improved patient outcomes by facilitating timely and evidence-based care. Despite these advancements, the adoption of technology in nursing remains uneven, with many healthcare facilities struggling to implement and utilize AI-driven solutions effectively. Barriers such as cost, interoperability issues, and resistance to change hinder widespread integration and adoption.

The Future of Technology in Nursing

While met with expected challenges, the trajectory of nursing is facing a digital transformation and will continue to evolve.  Examples of future technologies include the growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic systems; society’s reliance on mobile, internet, and social media; and increasing dependence on telehealth and other virtual models of care, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic [5].  The nurse’s response plays a vital role in the success of technologies in healthcare and requires an open-minded approach to keeping pace with change. Digital technologies may, however, be viewed as a distraction from, or an unwelcome intrusion into, the hands-on caring role and therapeutic relationships that nurses have with patients and families [5].  As referenced by Phillips et. al (2023), “The unique role of the nurse can never be substituted by any kind of machinery, be it a computer or otherwise. The nurse should treat them as useful tools, never as a replacement for her art (Griffiths, 1983, cited in Mann, 1992).

Conclusion

Despite their crucial role in healthcare, nurses are often overlooked in the development and implementation of innovative technologies. While technological advancements have revolutionized many aspects of healthcare, there is a lack of focus on solutions tailored specifically to address the unique needs and challenges faced by nurses. The demands of nursing practice, including heavy workloads and administrative burdens, underscore the importance of incorporating nurses' perspectives into the design and deployment of technology. By recognizing and prioritizing the integration of nursing expertise in technology development, healthcare organizations can better support their nursing workforce and ultimately improve patient care outcomes.

Technology has the potential to revolutionize nursing practice, enhance patient care, and address the challenges facing the nursing workforce. By leveraging AI-driven solutions, healthcare organizations can optimize staffing, mitigate burnout, and improve retention rates, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and a more sustainable healthcare system. However, realizing this vision will require collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to embracing change across the entire healthcare ecosystem. As we navigate the evolving landscape of healthcare, let us embrace the transformative power of technology to empower nurses and deliver exceptional care to those who need it most.

References

1. Tunlind, A., Granström, J., & Engström, Å. (2015). Nursing care in a high-technological environment: Experiences of critical care nurses. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing, 31(2), 116-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2014.07.005

2. Agustin, A., Bhatti, S., Bourne, J., Holmes, L., Hughes, H,. Ng, A., Raju, N., Shea, E. (2020). The History of Technology and Innovation in Nursing. Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics. Volume 15(2).

3. Seven nursing technologies transforming patient care.  (2021, March 1).  WGU.  Retrieved March 10, 2024, from https://www.wgu.edu/blog/7-nursing-technologies-transforming-patient-care1903.html.

4. Guillot, C.  (2020, July 2). 5 tech trends changing the field of nursing. HealthTech. https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2020/07/5-tech-trends-changing-field-nursing.

5. Booth, R.G., Strudwick, G., McBride, S., O’Connor, S., & Lopez, A.S. (2021). How the nursing profession should adapt for a digital future. The BMJ, 373. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n1190

6. Phillips, N., Stacy, G., & Dowding, D. (2023). Harnessing digital technology and data for nursing practice. Elsevier Health Sciences.