NURS 6051 Assignment The Use of Clinical Systems to Improve Outcomes and Efficiencies Sample Paper

NURS 6051 Assignment The Use of Clinical Systems to Improve Outcomes and Efficiencies Sample Paper

The use of technology in healthcare delivery cannot be underestimated. Healthcare system is keen to use a new or implement an existing technology. Before technology is embraced, adequate research must have been conducted to prove its feasibility. There is associated improved patient safety, outcomes and work process with the use of technology in healthcare delivery (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). However, technology is not always an answer to improve patient safety and outcomes.

Therefore, nurses are required to gain knowledge in basic technology and health informatics as an entry level nursing competency (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). The purpose of this annotated bibliography is to review and synthesize credible resources that examine the application of technology-based clinical systems in the improvement of patient outcomes and care efficiencies.

In this article, Su et al. (2019) conducted a quantitative research to determine how effective remote patient monitoring (RPM) is on diabetic patients. The objective was to determine how patients’ levels of engagement with RPM devices impact post program hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C). In their study, the dependent variables include the patients’ level of participation and engagement, and the post program hemoglobin A1C. The primary outcome variable which is HbA1C was measured at two points, baseline and post program.

Further patients were divided into two groups depending on Hb levels, >9% and <9%. The findings from the research show lower HbA1C levels with increased use or engagement with RPM (Su et al., 2019). The findings imply a negative correlation between participation and post program HbA1C. Patients who engaged maximally with the RPM devices had lower HbA1C levels and the vice versa is true.

According to Eyth and Naik (2019), HbA1C serves as an indicator of glycemic control. Therefore, the higher the HbA1C, the poorer the glycemic control and therefore higher risks for diabetes and its complications. This is a case where technology is used to improve patient outcomes. Su et al. (2019) conclude that both the patient and the care givers’ efforts are crucial for the success of the RPM, and recommend an increased use of such technologies in the future care delivery.

The last demi decade has experienced massive research in the role of electronic health records (EHR) in healthcare. Tubaishat (2017) conducted a quantitative exploratory study to determine the effect of EHR on patient safety. The author, Tubaishat is a specialist and a professor in health information systems. The general purpose of the study was to explore nurses’ perception of EHR on patient safety. Semi-structured interviews were administered to the nurses from ten hospitals which had used EHR in the past between 1 and 5 years.

The findings from the research reveal that EHR is either directly or indirectly associated with decreased medical errors, improved data documentation and enhanced sustainability of data. According to Tubaishat (2017), e-prescriptions provide clear and precise medication doses as compared to paper-based prescription. Further, documentation is easier and less time consuming as compared to paper documentation (Tubaishat, 2017).

Moreover, HER are sustainable and protected using networks and passwords. The study is a typical example where technology is leveraged in improvement of patient care efficiencies, outcomes and safety. Even though the study affirms positive impacts of EHR on patient safety, it concludes that safety concerns such as technical problems and data entry errors should be addressed.

Polypharmacy is a common problem especially among the geriatric population due to the multiple health conditions they have.