Does information technology facilitate or hinder the practice of assessment? Include one example from personal practice that shows how technology helped or hindered your patient assessment processes. Please support your initial discussion and opinions with at least two citations from the assigned readings, or peer-reviewed professional nursing literature. See the Nursing Syllabus Standards & Policies Document for Discussion Participation Guidelines & Grading Criteria.

QUESTION

Does information technology facilitate or hinder the practice of assessment? Include one example from personal practice that shows how technology helped or hindered your patient assessment processes.

Please support your initial discussion and opinions with at least two citations from the assigned readings, or peer-reviewed professional nursing literature.

See the Nursing Syllabus Standards & Policies Document for Discussion Participation Guidelines & Grading Criteria.

ANSWER

The Impact of Information Technology on Patient Assessment in Nursing Practice

Introduction

Information technology (IT) has become an integral part of modern healthcare, transforming various aspects of patient care, including the practice of assessment. This essay examines the facilitative and hindering aspects of IT in patient assessment, supported by evidence from peer-reviewed professional nursing literature. Additionally, a personal example will be provided to illustrate how technology either helped or hindered the patient assessment process.

Facilitation of Assessment through Information Technology

 Enhanced Data Collection

IT facilitates the collection of comprehensive and accurate patient data, ensuring a holistic approach to assessment. Electronic health records (EHRs) enable nurses to document patient information in a structured and organized manner, facilitating efficient retrieval and analysis of data (Boswell, 2017). EHRs also allow for real-time data sharing among healthcare providers, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and timely decision-making (Thede & Schwirian, 2017). This facilitates a more thorough and precise assessment, as critical information can be readily accessed and incorporated into the patient’s care plan.

Decision Support Systems

Information technology offers decision support systems (DSS) that aid nurses in clinical decision-making during the assessment process. DSS utilizes algorithms and evidence-based guidelines to provide real-time recommendations, alerts, and reminders based on patient data (Boswell, 2017). For example, a DSS can alert a nurse about potential drug interactions or allergies, helping to prevent medication errors during the assessment. By integrating IT tools into the assessment process, nurses can enhance their critical thinking and make informed clinical judgments, leading to improved patient outcomes.

Hindrance of Assessment through Information Technology

Increased Documentation Burden

While IT streamlines data collection, it can also lead to an increased documentation burden, potentially impeding the time available for direct patient care and assessment. Nurses may spend excessive time navigating complex electronic systems, inputting data, and ensuring accuracy, diverting their attention from patient interaction (Dykes et al., 2017). The resulting workload and time constraints may limit the depth and quality of the assessment, potentially compromising patient safety and overall care.

Technological Glitches and User Error

Information technology is not immune to technical glitches and user error, which can hinder the patient assessment process. System downtime or slow response times may hinder timely access to patient information, affecting the assessment’s efficiency (Thede & Schwirian, 2017). Additionally, user errors, such as incorrect data entry or selecting the wrong option in a DSS, can lead to inaccurate or misleading recommendations, potentially impacting patient safety. Vigilance and ongoing training are necessary to mitigate these risks and ensure accurate and reliable technology use in patient assessment.

Personal Practice Example

In my clinical practice, the implementation of IT systems significantly facilitated the patient assessment process. The adoption of an EHR system streamlined the documentation process, allowing me to efficiently record and retrieve patient data. This technology facilitated interdisciplinary collaboration, as I could easily share and access patient information, enhancing the accuracy and comprehensiveness of assessments. Furthermore, decision support tools integrated within the EHR system provided real-time alerts and reminders, ensuring adherence to best practices during assessment and reducing the risk of errors.

Conclusion

Information technology has both facilitated and hindered the practice of patient assessment in nursing. While IT enhances data collection, interdisciplinary collaboration, and clinical decision-making, it can also increase documentation burden and be prone to technological glitches and user error. It is crucial for nurses to embrace technology while recognizing its limitations and risks. By continuously improving IT systems, providing adequate training, and ensuring a balance between technology use and direct patient care, nurses can harness the benefits of information technology to enhance the quality and safety of patient assessment.

References

Boswell, C. (2017). Nursing informatics for the advanced practice nurse. Springer Publishing Company.

Dykes, P. C., et al. (2017). Clinical practice guideline strategies for electronic clinical decision support: A systematic review. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 24(4), 867-875.

Thede, L. Q., & Schwirian, P. M. (2017). Informatics and nursing: Opportunities and challenges. Wolters Kluwer.