Nursing Informatics

 The Human-Technology Interface

The Human-technology interface is the ability of the human race to work in conjunction with the technological world. The merging of these two worlds creates an interface, allowing communication between the two systems. With the creation of EMR's the human-technology interface continues to improve and grow. Systems are becoming more complex and covering more areas previously only done by humans. The creation of the systems allows more information to be exchanged between various providers without the need for face-to-face contact or worry of lost information. The systems allow providers to follow a patients progress and decreases health care cost with the decrease in unnecessary test or procedures. Technology is allowing patients to be more involved in their direct care and makes patient education a more hands on experience.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/3676704

Patient Engagement

Patient engagement is the involvement of the patient in his/her medical care, enabling the patient to make informed decisions. With the development of EMR's also came the use of patient portals which allowed patients access to their records anytime or anywhere. Patients are able to have test results, refill medications, or ask their provider a question without ever leaving the comfort of their home. Giving patients this access this improves patient satisfaction by allowing patients to have the ability to take their personal health information anywhere. Systems such as telemedicine allow the patients the ability to save money and time by addressing minor conditions or continuous monitoring from the safety of their own homes. This technology allows providers to monitor and prevent unnecessary ER visits saving thousands of dollars a year. Nurses are the key performers in patient engagement, using technology for continued patient education while allowing the patient and families the ability to interact and take the lead in their health care.

http://ojni.org/issues/?p=2848

Implications for Nurse Leaders

With the continued advances in the EMR systems, nurse leaders must be prepared to take the lead in continuing to educate themselves to be able to navigate the system. Nurse leaders must be the driving force in encouraging patients to use the system and reduce unnecessary visits or test ensuring them that their healthcare is a full partnership between them and the providers. Explaining to the patient all the benefits the system has to offer and ensure them their personal information is safe and secure. Using the EMR allows nurses to be engaged with the patient at all times, allowing documentation in real time. Engaging a patient in their health care improves the quality of care as well as better outcomes, these increase patient satisfaction and financial gain for the healthcare facility. 

Exemplar scenario

32 year old female presents to the ER 2 weeks post-partum. Patient is noted to be pale and clammy to touch. VS include Bp =90/50, P= 124, R=12 and shallow, T=95.2, O2 saturation 86%. Patient immediately has labs drawn and two large bore  IV's placed, a Foley catheter with thermal sensor is inserted with little to no urine return. Patient is placed on a telemetry monitor that shows sinus tachycardia, a blood pressure cuff is placed on the patients right arm and an O2 sat monitor is placed on patient right pointer finger. Patient is placed under a warming blanket,  a bedside ultrasound is performed and patient is found to have free fluid in her abdomen. Patients labs come back and her HCT is found to be 17, Md diagnosis patient with hypovolemic shock due to post-partum bleeding.  MD orders 5 units of PRB cells via rapid infuser and dopamine Iv. Patient is then sent to the ICU for closer monitoring once stabilized.

Technology used:

O2 Sat Monitor

Blood pressure monitor

Telemetry monitor

warming blankets

Foley catheter with thermal sensor

bedside ultrasound

rapid infuser

Alaris Pump