Consider how your identified technology tools might impact nursing practice if it were more widely used. What are some barriers preventing increased usage?

Emerging technologies in patient care

It is possible that the use of technology in nursing, such as telemedicine, remote monitoring, and electronic medical records could improve patient care. Data sharing can be streamlined by electronic medical records, which will allow for a better coordination of healthcare across different disciplines. Telemedicine can improve the access to healthcare by removing barriers like transportation and distance, while giving patients a convenient way to get treatment from their primary provider. The use of remote monitoring devices is also beneficial because they provide caregivers with real time insights on the patient’s health, which allows them to take timely actions if necessary.

There are still some obstacles that prevent nurses from using these technologies more. Cost restraints and lack of technology infrastructure are some examples. Privacy concerns regarding data storage is also a concern. Many nurse practitioners are not comfortable using unfamiliar technology due to a lack of knowledge or training. This contributes even more towards lower utilization rates.

To truly integrate technology into nursing, such as the tools above, we must remove all barriers. All members of society will benefit by improved healthcare.