7 Tech Tools Nurses Should Know
Technology plays an important role in healthcare, helping nurses provide faster, more accurate care for patients. In hospital rooms and home health settings, tech tools allow you to track and manage medication, monitor symptoms, and improve patient comfort. Whether you just started your nursing journey or already have some experience in the field, you need to embrace the technology that enhances nursing. Here are 7 tech tools every nurse should know.
Smart Beds Help Improve Your Bedside Manner
If you really want to improve your bedside manners, how about a bed that helps you out? Smart beds can monitor a patient’s weight, movement, and position. Some can even alert you when a patient is trying to get up to help prevent falls. Smart beds also make it easier for you to adjust a patient’s position without manual lifting, which can reduce strain and injury. This technology helps you provide higher quality patient care with speed and compassion. In some hospitals, smart beds even connect to EHR systems and automatically update patient records which could give you more time to spend with patients and less time at a computer.
Nurses Update Electronic Health Records
Electronic Health Records, or EHRs, are the digital version of a patient’s paper charts. These systems give you instant access to patient information such as medical history, lab results, treatment plans, and medications. With EHRs, you can update patient records in real-time and quickly communicate any necessary information with doctors and other team members. EHRs help to reduce paperwork, minimize duplicate entries, catch potential errors, and improve the overall patient care experience.
Portable Monitoring Equipment and Applications
With the help of portable monitoring equipment and wearable devices for patients, you can keep an eye on at-risk patients even if you are working on other tasks outside of the patient’s room. These devices allow you to track vitals and information in real time from any location in your facility. If a reading is abnormal, these devices can alert you so you can respond quickly or send another medical professional to the room to administer any needed care. In some cases, facilities use apps, so you get updates and notifications directly to your smart device.
Nurses Teach Patients How to Use Wearable Remote Devices
While it’s great to monitor your patients from anywhere in the hospital or healthcare facility, wearable technology takes it a step further. Patients wear these devices so nurses and other health professionals can track vital signs like heart rate, oxygen levels, or blood sugar from a distance. It lets you constantly monitor patients and is especially useful at home or in outpatient facilities. If an issue with a patient’s health arises, alerts are sent directly to healthcare providers, and medical professionals can respond faster. Wearables also help manage chronic conditions and can reduce the need for emergency hospital visits.
Nurses Meet Patients on Telehealth Platforms
Telehealth has become an important part of the healthcare system, helping to connect patients to services from wherever they are. As a nurse, you can meet with patients through video conferences and other digital platforms to make assessments, gather medical history, provide follow-up care, and offer health education. Telehealth improves access for patients in rural areas and makes it easier for people to receive care from the comfort of their homes.
Barcode Medication Administration
Barcode Medication Administration, or BCMA, is an inventory tool that helps you track and distribute medication to patients throughout the hospital efficiently. BCMA helps reduce any potential errors and makes sure patients receive the medicine they need at the correct times through an electronic validation and documentation system.
Automated IV Pumps
As a nurse, you may frequently administer IV pumps to help patients receive necessary fluids or medications. It takes time to properly prepare and administer each IV. But today, many medical facilities have adopted the use of smart, automated IV systems. With automated pumps, you can control the dosage a patient receives, which helps you administer medication faster and can free up your time for other important tasks.
As technology evolves, so does the role of nurses and the technology you use. You must be able to use modern tech tools as they help improve patient outcomes, reduce errors, and enhance communication within healthcare teams. If you’re ready to step into a healthcare career that blends compassionate care with modern technology, check out Charter College’s Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree program. This blended learning program teaches you effective patient care strategies and introduces you to the technology you may use daily in this profession. Call 888-200-9942 or fill out the form to learn more.