NURS 6051 Discussion Healthcare Information Technology Trends

NURS 6051 Discussion Healthcare Information Technology Trends

NURS 6051 Discussion Healthcare Information Technology Trends

There is absolutely no disagreement that technology has had an array of advancements over the past years. Within the past decade there has been advancement throughout electronic health records, telemedicine/telehealth, self-service kiosks, wearable technology, and health tracking devices (Becker’s Healthcare, 2015).

The biggest change and trend that I most recently experienced is the constant use of telehealth/e-visits, Skype, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth is the use of technology to deliver health care, health information, or health education at a distance (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2018). A few ways telehealth is used in the clinical setting are sharing images amongst disciplines for assessment and diagnosis, transmit data, provide disease prevention information and promote good health while using real time video and phone services (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2018).

The use of all of these new trends have definitely become the “new normal”. Meetings are now virtual to permit social distancing and many visits and consultations are through the telephone. A challenge of the virtual meetings could be employee engagement and employees actually paying attention to all being said throughout the meetings. As for telehealth services and e-visits, I worry of the challenge that patients can be wrongly diagnosed and improperly assessed during their verbal only visits. As professionals we rely on our assessment skills to care for patients. Although our care has a great amount to do with what the patients tell us, we also use our skills of visually examining and touching patients to make the most accurate diagnosis and provide the best care for symptoms. Patient bills are also the same as an in-person visit, for a phone call that is sometimes only five minutes.

The biggest benefit of this virtual trend is safety amongst health care professionals and patients. Also, it could benefit providers to limit non-emergent in person visits to avoid possible exposures. As far as possible risks, patient information can possibly be compromised, and higher security must be used so information remains protected. Since private in-person rooms are not available it is still recommended by the Department of Health and Human Services to use private locations and patient should not receive services in public or semi-public settings (Jacobson, 2020). Throughout the pandemic there were also many cases of hacking into Zoom and Skype meetings. Providers must do all they can to avoid these data breeches to protect patient information.

Telehealth and e-visits do show advancements for nursing practice as it opens more career opportunity. “Telehealth eases the impact of the nursing shortage because it provides easier access to professionals for patients” (Teladoc Health, n.d. para # 5.) According to the American Telemedicine Association, within five years, 50% of healthcare services might be provided by telehealth services (Teladoc Health, n.d.). Along with career advancements, this will allow nurses to increase their assessment skills and critical thinking with the need of accurately finding treatment for patients.  With time and growth in this particular area, I think there will be growth in this area and providers will accurately provide care for patients. With continued time, I also think there will be improvements to data management and protecting patient information.

References

Becker’s Healthcare. (2015). 10 biggest technological advancements for healthcare in the last decade. https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/10-biggest-technological-advancements-for-healthcare-in-the-last-decade.html

Jacabson, A. (2020). The benefits and risks of telehealth services. Risk Management Magazine. http://www.rmmagazine.com/

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Teladoc Health. (n.d.). How telehealth can ease the nationwide nursing shortage. https://intouchhealth.com/nationwide-nursing-shortage-eased-with-telehealth-services/#:~:text=Telehealth%20eases%20the%20impact%20of,so%20efficiency%20is%20markedly%20improved.

NURS 6051 Discussion Healthcare Information Technology Trends

Throughout history, technological advancements have appeared for one purpose before finding applications elsewhere that lead to spikes in its usage and development. The internet, for example, was originally developed to share research before becoming a staple of work and entertainment. But technology—new and repurposed—will undoubtedly continue to be a driver of healthcare information. Informaticists often stay tuned to trends to monitor what the next new technology will be or how the next new idea for applying existing technology can benefit outcomes.

In this Discussion, you will reflect on your healthcare organization’s use of technology and offer a technology trend you observe in your environment.

To Prepare:

• Reflect on the Resources related to digital information tools and technologies.
• Consider your healthcare organization’s use of healthcare technologies to manage and distribute information.
• Reflect on current and potential future trends, such as use of social media and mobile applications/telehealth, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled asset tracking, or expert systems/artificial intelligence, and how they may impact nursing practice and healthcare delivery.

By Day 3 of Week 6

Post a brief description of general healthcare technology trends, particularly related to data/information you have observed in use in your healthcare organization or nursing practice. Describe any potential challenges or risks that may be inherent in the technologies associated with these trends you described. Then, describe at least one potential benefit and one potential risk associated with data safety, legislation, and patient care for the technologies you described. Next, explain which healthcare technology trends you believe are most promising for impacting healthcare technology in nursing practice and explain why. Describe whether this promise will contribute to improvements in patient care outcomes, efficiencies, or data management. Be specific and provide examples.

General healthcare technology trends

Our healthcare delivery system is quite decentralized and fragmented. Therefore, integrating Health information technology (HIT) can take time and effort. Nevertheless, the implementation of HIT in the medical profession has and continues to immensely contribute to delivering care in myriad ways, such as care efficiency, cost, care precision, safety, and favorable health outcomes. In my nursing tenure, I have used many different components of HIT, such as electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, and the like. 

The first major HIT game changer was parting ways from paper to electronic charting. EHRs are “real-time, patient-centered records that make information available instantly and securely to authorized users whenever and wherever” (HealthIT.gov, 2018, para.1). Electronic health records have improved patient care, increased patient participation, improved care coordination, diagnostics, and outcomes and practice efficiencies and cost savings. 

Often used interchangeably, Telehealth and telemedicine have become vital tools for providing care, especially to populations living in health desert communities. Telemedicine is a major branch of Telehealth. Telehealth is a health trend underutilized until three (3) years ago. However, its use surged significantly during the covid-19 pandemic, considerably curbing the spread of COVID-19, reaching the masses much quicker than traditional office visits, and providing patient and physician convenience. Telehealth is the “delivery and facilitation of health and health-related services, including medical care, provider and patient education, health information services, and self-care via telecommunication and digital communications technologies” (Catalyst, 2018, para.2).

 Telehealth has proven effective for evaluating, monitoring, and managing chronic conditions like asthma, hypertension, COPD, and diabetes; Telehealth has eased the process and saved billions of dollars. In addition, the ease of being at home and having access to communicate with a healthcare provider has changed the dynamic of caring for the sick. Telehealth is a promising public health tool that has proven efficient and effective. 

 Potential challenges or risks 

When my hospital launched EPIC-EHR in 2014, I was skeptical and apprehensive because of its enormity and uncertainty. I have since come to appreciate using Epic and other electronic charting software because of its ability to streamline care for an efficient workflow. On the other hand, privacy and security remain major burdens and barriers. The federal government implementation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) ensures the right to access one’s health information and safeguards electronic health records. However, there have been many assaults on patients’ EHRs. Frequent drawbacks to EHRs include the lack of interoperability, common desperate terminologies, and consistent privacy framework to safeguard society; hacking of sensitivity information leads to patient-healthcare provider mistrust ((Gariépy-Saper & Decarie, 2021)

Potential benefits and risk 

The benefit of data generated via this health technologies software (EHRs, Telehealth, IoT,…) is numerous. These health technologies have allowed for data research of individual and heterogeneous data to improve patient health by providing insights into the causes and outcomes of diseases, better drug targets for precision medicine, and enhanced disease prediction and prevention (Pastorino et al., 2019). For example, Telehealth employs remote patient monitoring, which improves the early detection of complications and identifies patients needing medical attention before in-person visits (Catalyst, 2018). Massive data are being obtained and stored from individuals using these technologies. However, with this acquired data comes the risk of keeping it from falling into the wrong hands. HIPPA and HIPAA are federal regulations that require all healthcare organizations/ providers to secure patients’ personal information; the right to patient information privacy is a law. However, because of such decentralization, lack of standard terminologies and interoperability, fragmentation of our health system, confusion in care decision-making, and the hacking of the system remains a billion-dollar risk. In addition, the ability to access health records from any location is a major innate digital risk.

Promising healthcare technology trends

Telehealth is a significant trend whose reach is beyond the doctor’s office. It is so vast in its capacity and resources; it is all-encompassing. Using technologies such as live video monitoring and conferencing, mobile health app, electronic transmissions (wearables), and remote patient monitoring are but a few of the vast built-in abilities of Telehealth (Catalyst, 2018). Underserved communities have seen a massive increase in access to health care. Telehealth is cost-effective, efficient, and life-saving. Butzner and Cuffee (2021) conducted a narrative review to evaluate the use and outcomes of Telehealth in rural communities; they found increased acceptance and satisfaction among the population, including” decreased direct and indirect cost (travel cost and time), health care service provider (staffing), lower onsite health care resource utilization, improves physician recruitment and retention, improve access to care, and increase education and training of patients and health care professionals” (para. 2). This technology tool is breaking the barrier of access to and the cost of care. Data management remains an issue; however, the acquired data will aid researchers in effective care decisions and disease detection and management. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is another promising healthcare technological tool poised to revolutionize the medical industry in ways like no other. AI is a paradigm shift in healthcare because it serves to help analyze the massive data (structured and unstructured) at a pace that is yet to be matched. With AI, care accuracy, expediency, and cost will be massively improved. AI has been shown to perform better than or as well as humans in areas such as diagnostics for precise and effective treatment modalities ((Davenport & Kalakota, 2019). The possibilities for healthcare improvement are endless with all these technological health trends. 

By Day 6 of Week 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days, offering additional/alternative ideas regarding opportunities and risks related to the observations shared.

Thanks for the excellent post and early post,

I agree, and I am also attaching an interesting source precursor for EPIC; EPIC is highly user-friendly and easy to learn for end users. It reminds me of the company’s effort and dedication to making it so user-friendly and the teamwork of many programmers and designers.

This source discusses EPIC’s predecessor, a system called the “Medical Gopher,” which was developed by the same company that created EPIC. While the source is not specifically about EPIC, it provides valuable background information on the company and the development of its EHR systems.

EPIC is a widely used electronic health record (EHR) system used by healthcare providers, hospitals, and health systems to manage patient health information (EPIC, 2023). EPIC was founded in 1979 by Judith Faulkner, and it has since become one of the most widely adopted EHR systems in the United States (EPIC, 2023).

EPIC offers a wide range of modules and functionalities that enable healthcare providers to manage patient information, such as patient demographics, clinical notes, medications, lab results, and imaging studies (EPIC, 2023). EPIC also offers tools for appointment scheduling, billing, and revenue cycle management (EPIC, 2023).

One of the critical advantages of EPIC is its interoperability capabilities, which allow for the sharing of patient health information between different healthcare organizations that use EPIC (EPIC, 2023). This enables healthcare providers to access a patient’s complete health record, regardless of where the patient has received care (EPIC, 2023).

Another advantage of EPIC is its focus on patient engagement and communication (EPIC, 2023). EPIC offers tools for patients to access their health information online, communicate with their healthcare providers, and schedule appointments (EPIC, 2023).

However, EPIC has its limitations and challenges. One common criticism of EPIC is its complexity and steep learning curve, making it difficult for healthcare providers to use it effectively (Jha, Ferris, & Donelan, 2013). Additionally, some critics have raised concerns about data privacy and security in EHR systems like EPIC (Jha, Ferris, & Donelan, 2013).

Overall, EPIC is an important tool for managing patient health information in the healthcare industry, and its widespread adoption demonstrates its usefulness for healthcare providers and patients alike.

*Note: Throughout this program, your fellow students are referred to as colleagues.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 6 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 6

To participate in this Discussion:

Week 6 Discussion

 Module 4: Technologies Supporting Applied Practice and Optimal Patient Outcomes (Weeks 6-8)

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Informatics Tools and Technologies [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

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Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Evaluate healthcare technology trends for data and information in nursing practice and healthcare delivery
• Analyze challenges and risks inherent in healthcare technology
• Analyze healthcare technology benefits and risks for data safety, legislation, and patient care
• Evaluate healthcare technology impact on patient outcomes, efficiencies, and data management
• Analyze research on the application of clinical systems to improve outcomes and efficiencies

Due By	Assignment
Week 6, Days 1–2	Read/Watch/Listen to the Learning Resources. Compose your initial Discussion post.
Week 6, Day 3	Post your initial Discussion post. Begin to compose your Assignment.
Week 6, Days 4-5	Review peer Discussion posts. Compose your peer Discussion responses. Continue to compose your Assignment.
Week 6, Day 6	Post at least two peer Discussion responses on two different days (and not the same day as the initial post).
Week 6, Day 7	Wrap up Discussion.
Week 7, Days 1-7	Continue to compose your Assignment.
Week 8, Days 1-6	Continue to compose your Assignment.
Week 8, Day 7	Deadline to submit your Assignment.

Learning Resources

Required Readings

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

• Chapter 14, “The Electronic Health Record and Clinical Informatics” (pp. 267–287)
• Chapter 15, “Informatics Tools to Promote Patient Safety and Quality Outcomes” (pp. 293–317)
• Chapter 16, “Patient Engagement and Connected Health” (pp. 323–338)
• Chapter 17, “Using Informatics to Promote Community/Population Health” (pp. 341–355)
• Chapter 18, “Telenursing and Remote Access Telehealth” (pp. 359–388)

 Dykes, P. C., Rozenblum, R., Dalal, A., Massaro, A., Chang, F., Clements, M., Collins, S. …Bates, D. W. (2017). Prospective evaluation of a multifaceted intervention to improve outcomes in intensive care: The Promoting Respect and Ongoing Safety Through Patient Engagement Communication and Technology Study. Critical Care Medicine, 45(8), e806–e813. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000002449

HealthIT.gov. (2018c). What is an electronic health record (EHR)? Retrieved from 

https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-electronic-health-record-ehr

Rao-Gupta, S., Kruger, D. Leak, L. D., Tieman, L. A., & Manworren, R. C. B. (2018). Leveraging interactive patient care technology to Improve pain management engagement. Pain Management Nursing, 19(3), 212–221. 

Skiba, D. (2017). Evaluation tools to appraise social media and mobile applications. Informatics, 4(3), 32–40. 

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Public Health Informatics [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Electronic Records and Managing IT Change [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Rubric Detail

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Content
Name: NURS_5051_Module04_Week06_Discussion_Rubric

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Excellent Good Fair Poor
Main Posting

Points Range: 45 (45%) – 50 (50%)

Answers all parts of the discussion question(s) expectations with reflective critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources.

Supported by at least three current, credible sources.

Written clearly and concisely with no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.

Points Range: 40 (40%) – 44 (44%)

Responds to the discussion question(s) and is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.

At least 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth.

Supported by at least three credible sources.

Written clearly and concisely with one or no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.

Points Range: 35 (35%) – 39 (39%)

Responds to some of the discussion question(s).

One or two criteria are not addressed or are superficially addressed.

Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and synthesis.

Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.

Post is cited with two credible sources.

Written somewhat concisely; may contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors.

Contains some APA formatting errors.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 34 (34%)

Does not respond to the discussion question(s) adequately.

Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria.

Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis.

Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.

Contains only one or no credible sources.

Not written clearly or concisely.

Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors.

Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style.
Main Post: Timeliness
Points Range: 10 (10%) – 10 (10%)
Posts main post by day 3.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not post by day 3.
First Response
Points Range: 17 (17%) – 18 (18%)
Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings.

Responds fully to questions posed by faculty.

Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources.

Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives.

Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.

Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed.

Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.

Points Range: 15 (15%) – 16 (16%)

Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings.

Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.

Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed.

Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources.

Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.

Points Range: 13 (13%) – 14 (14%)

Response is on topic and may have some depth.

Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication.

Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed.

Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 12 (12%)

Response may not be on topic and lacks depth.

Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication.

Responses to faculty questions are missing.

No credible sources are cited.
Second Response

Points Range: 16 (16%) – 17 (17%)

Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings.

Responds fully to questions posed by faculty.

Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources.

Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives.

Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.

Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed.

Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.

Points Range: 14 (14%) – 15 (15%)

Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings.

Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.

Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed.

Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources.

Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.

Points Range: 12 (12%) – 13 (13%)

Response is on topic and may have some depth.

Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication.

Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed.

Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 11 (11%)

Response may not be on topic and lacks depth.

Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication.

Responses to faculty questions are missing.

No credible sources are cited.
Participation

Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)

Meets requirements for participation by posting on three different days.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not meet requirements for participation by posting on 3 different days.
Total Points: 100
Name: NURS_5051_Module04_Week06_Discussion_Rubric