The Top 5 Emerging Nursing Technologies

Healthcare
Written By Shelley Moore

The constant development of technological advances in healthcare is creating a completely new approach to nursing practices that are proving beneficial to both employees and patients. While the Covid-19 pandemic has served as a catalyst for much of the sudden technological changes in healthcare practices, these advances have been continuously improving throughout the last few decades. As we move into the next phase of industry development, the following technologies are predicted to have a lasting impact on the healthcare industry as a whole.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

Within the healthcare industry, Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is becoming an increasingly critical tool for healthcare providers to more efficiently and effectively respond to serious situations. As defined by the National Institution for Transforming India, the term Artificial Intelligence refers to the ability of machines to autonomously perceive and respond to external stimuli. This perception involves the ability to learn, think, organize and react without human interference (Carroll, 2020). Within the healthcare realm, AI is being implemented as a tool for triaging patient alarms, taking the burden off nurses to respond to all alarms triggered, both false and urgent. With between 72% to 99% of all alarms going off being false, nurses can experience what’s referred to as “alarm fatigue,” where they become accustomed to the sound of the alarms and perceive them all as less serious (The Medical Futurist, 2021). In order to prevent alarm fatigue, AI can be used to monitor alarms and determine which are false and which may need more urgent attention without overwhelming nursing staff. This has been proven to reduce healthcare provider notifications by up to 99.3% (The Medical Futurist, 2021). 

Further research on AI has been conducted by Duke University via the Sepsis Watch algorithm. Through the use of AI technology, machines are able to automatically sense which patients are at risk for sepsis and begin the administration of care until human intervention can be supplied. This rapid response of AI technologies can make the difference between a successful intervention and a potentially life-threatening complication (The Medical Futurist, 2021). 

Virtual Reality (VR) 

As with AI technology, the adoption of virtual reality simulations in the healthcare industry has proven extremely beneficial to both nurses and patients. With in-person meetings limited due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it has become more difficult for nursing students to access critical hands-on education opportunities. The implementation of VR nursing education technology has allowed nursing students to hone their skills without physical contact between provider and patient. While some would argue that virtual simulations cannot provide the same level of healthcare training as in-person simulations, reality is proving otherwise. Upon implementation of a virtual urinary catheter insertion simulation into the nursing education program at Robert Morris University, nursing students who completed the VR training achieved the same pass rates as those receiving the live training (Butt et al, 2017). 

In addition to increasing accessibility to nursing education, VR is a crucial piece of patient care practices in traumatic medical situations. One of the most noteworthy examples of VR as a psychological tool has been for use with burn patients when undergoing painful dressing changes. Through VR simulation, patients are able to reduce their stress levels while undergoing these uncomfortable procedures, as they find themselves immersed in simulated tranquil environments (Carroll, 2020). 

Robots

While critical patient care is a vital component of the nursing profession, much of the day is spent performing trivial, sometimes labor-intensive tasks that take their toll on their physical and mental wellbeing. In cases where skill autonomous thinking is not a necessity, the use of robots in the healthcare setting allows nurses to maximize their time critically engaging with their patients. Present-day robotic technologies can be programmed to deliver supplies to patient rooms, lift bedridden patients, sanitize patient rooms and surgical sites in a matter of minutes, and even provide emotional support and companionship to patients suffering from depression and other mental health conditions. 

Research is currently being done on more advanced robotics, including phlebotomy.  While not yet ready for mainstream use, robotic blood draws have already proven to be just as effective at identifying the best vein for use as an experienced phlebotomist (The Medical Futurist, 2021). 

3D Printing 

One of the most exciting modern technologies, 3D printing offers endless possibilities for the healthcare field. While the ability to quickly replicate external medical devices, such as splints, casts and even descriptive models for more visually-minded patients is a remarkable feat in and of itself, newer technology is allowing for 3D printed organs and even digitally-printed medications (The Medical Futurist, 2021).

Data Interoperability 

As we deal with the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ability for vaccination data to be quickly disseminated across multiple platforms will be crucial, particularly as certain destinations are beginning to ease travel restrictions for vaccinated travelers. Not only is this technology necessary for government systems and health facilities, interoperability is beneficial to individuals looking to quickly access their medical information (Joy, 2020). 

As healthcare technologies continue to improve, medical advances such as these will pave the way for innovative treatments for patients, better working conditions for healthcare providers, and overall increased accessibility to healthcare. For more information on how you can begin implementing healthcare technologies into your facility, contact Lynnetta Cleary at LCleary@communication-co.com or phone 574.299.0020. 

Citations:

Shelley Moore
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