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Medical-Surgical Nursing

Summary

Medical-Surgical NursingSummary

37.1 Telemedicine and Artificial Intelligence

  • Telemedicine enables remote health-care delivery using technology for diagnosis and treatment.
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) enables machines to solve problems and perform tasks that typically require human intelligence by leveraging the power of computer science and robust data sets (IBM, n.d.-a).
  • AI enhances telemedicine by providing telemonitoring, diagnosis, treatment plans, patient engagement, and chronic disease management. The integration of AI and telemedicine can lead to improved quality of care, reduced costs, improved outcomes, optimized resources, and increased access to care. Challenges of utilizing telemedicine include the need to learn how to use new technologies, potential health disparities, limitations in remote treatment for certain conditions, and the potential to dehumanize patient care. Establishing laws and regulations is crucial for determining liability, defining boundaries, enhancing transparency, providing informed consent of data use, and ensuring data security and privacy.
  • Reliable data are essential for accurate AI algorithms, while human expertise is needed to validate AI-produced diagnoses and recommendations.
  • Technological advancements, including AI, have transformed nursing education through enhanced simulation, augmented reality, and virtual reality. Nurses have a responsibility for learning, integrating, and supporting the evolution of health-care technologies. It is important to identify how technology has improved the role of the nurse and minimize challenges, such as resistance to change and burnout.

37.2 Health Informatics

  • Health informatics is a specialized field that combines information, technology, and health-care knowledge to improve patient care.
  • Informatics enhances collaboration, communication, safety, satisfaction, efficiency, and effectiveness within the delivery of health care. Examples of advances in health informatics that have been used to improve care include information and communication technologies, predictive medicine, and epidemic tracking.
  • Pieces of legislation related to health informatics include the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) Act, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act), Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA), and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
  • Health IT is governed by agencies such as the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), the Health Informatics and Interoperability Group (HIIG), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Office of Health Informatics within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
  • Interoperability in health care refers to the seamless exchange and use of electronic health information across different systems, enabling coordinated and patient-centered care.
  • Meaningful use incentivizes health-care providers to adopt and effectively use electronic health records to enhance patient care, improve outcomes, and promote health IT interoperability.
  • An electronic medical record (EMR) is a digital form of a paper chart for use by one medical practice, whereas electronic health records (EHRs) are comprehensive medical records that are portable and move with the patient. EHRs provide enhanced communication and coordination of care, resulting in increased efficiency, cost savings, and seamless delivery of health care.

37.3 Influences on Delivery of Health Care

  • Information technology has revolutionized health care by significantly impacting aspects of communication, patient outcomes, and data used for patient care.
  • Health-care technology has transformed patient care by improving safety, efficiency, quality, and patient outcomes. Examples of technologies that have transformed patient care include smart beds, wearable devices, and smart pumps.
  • Nurses play a critical role in the adoption of health technologies. Educating patients and staff on the advantages of technology and tips for utilizing it will empower them to accept and engage in the technology. Thus, it is important for nurses to actively engage in designing, developing, and implementing new technologies.
  • Continuing education related to informatics is available through professional organizations and journals. Advanced degrees and certifications are also available as pathways to informatics roles beyond the bedside.
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