Modern medicine has little in common with medical practices from just a few decades ago. Today, just as electronic charting has become nearly universal in American medical facilities, we’re at the brink of new tech trends that will further transform the way we practice nursing. How will future technology affect your daily work?
Tech trends that will transform nursing
1. Cloud computing
A major obstacle in today’s healthcare process is access to accurate patient information. While electronic medical records (EMR) have eliminated some of the pitfalls of paper charts (who remembers gathering the whole team to decode a doctor’s handwriting?), sharing medical records between facilities is still a complex process on many levels. Fortunately, the rise of cloud computing and the potential in blockchain technology may soon make it possible to share private information instantly and securely.
2. Remote monitoring
Despite the extra documentation required, most nurses appreciate the peace of mind you get when a patient is on telemetry. After all, what could be better than having real-time access to your patient’s vital signs? As telemetry devices become cheaper and more accessible, they are being used in increasingly novel ways. Soon, remote monitoring may replace many regular checkups, and we may even see the day when patients who would have been kept for observation can instead be given a device that can be monitored remotely, allowing them to avoid a hospital stay.
3. Telehealth
Though telehealth includes remote monitoring in its scope, the term covers a much broader range of treatment modalities. From phone-based health lines to apps that allow you to connect directly with a doctor, the possibilities are endless. As these options expand and the telehealth industry stabilizes, many nurses may find themselves interacting with patients remotely – perhaps even from their own home!
4. Better medical devices
As professional-grade medical devices become cheaper and more portable, nurses are finding their capabilities to treat patients at the bedside are stronger than ever. For example, infrared vein finders dramatically reduce the number of needle sticks on some patients, while portable bladder scanners allow for close monitoring of renal function while avoiding invasive catheterizations. With the next generation of portable medical devices in development, who knows what our bedside treatment capabilities will soon be.
5. Personalized medicine
Just as miniature cameras ushered in the age of laparoscopic surgery and other minimally-invasive treatments and diagnostic techniques, the next generation of miniature sensors will soon make treatments more personalized and accurate than ever. For example, a capsule-sized device (meant to be swallowed) can provide precise measurements of medication usage and dosage, and can even identify GI bleeds and other dangerous conditions. Since this data will allow doctors and nurses to fine-tune their treatment plans to each patient’s needs, the days of cookie-cutter treatments may be on the way out.
Safer, simpler, more effective. Haven’t these always been technology’s chief goals? At Nurse Backpack, we believe that tracking your professional documents should be easy, simple and secure. The Nurse Backpack app is designed to make these goals a reality – all while fitting nicely in your pocket! To experience how the app makes storing and sharing your professional nursing credentials a breeze, download it today.
