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Interesting points, Juanita. I am old enough to remember 'before computers.' When they were just starting to be introduced there was a fairly common assumption that a lot of jobs would be taken over by computers. Instead, it has been quite the reverse and the huge industry which was created is astonishing to me.  Later, and some time ago now, when I was doing some agency work to keep skills up, I could not help notice, that while technology and pharmaceuticals changed, nursing principles by and large, did not. Sue 

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Interesting points, Juanita. I am old enough to remember 'before computers.' When they were just starting to be introduced there was a fairly common assumption that a lot of jobs would be taken over by computers. Instead, it has been quite the reverse and the huge industry which was created is astonishing to me.  Later, and some time ago now, when I was doing some agency work to keep skills up, I could not help notice, that while technology and pharmaceuticals changed, nursing principles by and large, did not. Sue 

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Great feedback, Katie. Interesting to see what is happening in progressive and forward thinking - learning organisations. Sue

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Great feedback, Katie. Interesting to see what is happening in progressive and forward thinking - learning organisations. Sue

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Good points, Judith. The topic was somewhat provocative but was literature based. 

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Good points, Judith. The topic was somewhat provocative but was literature based. 

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I firmly believe that technology has touched health care industry largely in different aspects of service. In my workplace, technology has a direct link with clinical management and administration. Firstly, some paper work replaced by electronic ones which largely improves the effectiveness and efficiency of the daily work. Clinical information becomes more accessible to healthcare providers and it can be accessed through intranet easily. Secondly, texts through mobile is largely used by doctors in hospital for communication, especially for emergency. It has a positive impact on managing clinical deterioration in a timely manner. Thirdly, all policies and procedures can be found through PROMPT via intranet even internet at home. It enables staff accessing to the information they need in clinical quickly and accurately. In conclusion, technology has a major role to play in healthcare organisation and I believe that it will be continued to use in a comprehensible way in future.

Yana Wu

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Jessica McKirkle                                                                        I strongly disagree that the health care sector has been untouched by technological change.   In the last decade alone, within my organisation, we have seen advances such as Telehealth/telemedicine which allows for more accessible treatment for patient in rural areas;  Electronic Medical Records (EMR) which is a digital version a patient’s medical history and charts; Portal technology, an app that allows parents to manage their child’s health information and care and wireless communication. Other essential changes in technologies that have advanced healthcare are the ‘at hand’ technologies to support EBP, for example, mobile computers at the bedside, which allow health care practitioners (HCP) access to real-time data; Online competencies- an independent learning strategy for HCP’s to become proficient in an mandatory annual skill; policy and procedures to allow for standardisation in daily practices.                                 While the organisation I work in has successfully implemented such advances, I am thoughtful of the rising cost of implementing these devices into the clinical environment and am aware that very few clinical organisations would have the annual budget that the Royal Children’s Hospital does.  Therefore such technological advances may not be so prevalent in other healthcare facilities.                                                      Integral to our discussion regarding technological advances is the changes that have been made to the diagnosis of illnesses through the development of imaging via CT/MRI/X-RAY and mammograms just to name a few;  Surgical advances such as prosthetic valves and heart-lung bypass and the development of immunisation, all of which have contributed to the prolonging of numerous lives of both adults and children worldwide.           Piscotty, R., Kalisch, B., & Gracey‐Thomas, A. (2015). Impact of Healthcare Information Technology on Nursing Practice. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 47(4), 287-293.     

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Jessica McKirkle                                                                        I strongly disagree that the health care sector has been untouched by technological change.   In the last decade alone, within my organisation, we have seen advances such as Telehealth/telemedicine which allows for more accessible treatment for patient in rural areas;  Electronic Medical Records (EMR) which is a digital version a patient’s medical history and charts; Portal technology, an app that allows parents to manage their child’s health information and care and wireless communication. Other essential changes in technologies that have advanced healthcare are the ‘at hand’ technologies to support EBP, for example, mobile computers at the bedside, which allow health care practitioners (HCP) access to real-time data; Online competencies- an independent learning strategy for HCP’s to become proficient in an mandatory annual skill; policy and procedures to allow for standardisation in daily practices.                                 While the organisation I work in has successfully implemented such advances, I am thoughtful of the rising cost of implementing these devices into the clinical environment and am aware that very few clinical organisations would have the annual budget that the Royal Children’s Hospital does.  Therefore such technological advances may not be so prevalent in other healthcare facilities.                                                      Integral to our discussion regarding technological advances is the changes that have been made to the diagnosis of illnesses through the development of imaging via CT/MRI/X-RAY and mammograms just to name a few;  Surgical advances such as prosthetic valves and heart-lung bypass and the development of immunisation, all of which have contributed to the prolonging of numerous lives of both adults and children worldwide.           Piscotty, R., Kalisch, B., & Gracey‐Thomas, A. (2015). Impact of Healthcare Information Technology on Nursing Practice. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 47(4), 287-293.     

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I believe to date technology plays a vital part in patient care and continue to be utilised more and more particularly in areas of documentation. The Cerner system which had been established for about four years in our hospital allowed easier access to patient data e.g. observations, pathology, radiology results, etc. which changed from the old Medtrack system to the Cerner system. Medication administration can be easily monitored, completed and documented. More data can be retrieved as compared to the use of paper medication charts. Patient flow from emergency department to wards had been more efficient when a system called Firstnet allowed quicker access to patient information even before the patient arrives via ambulance.  As instruments of patient care in general, computerisation gained preference and continue to evolve. Current plan in our hospital is to fully do all progress notes electronically. We also notice even in small private hospitals how communication is done with more emails than fax messages and how the social media is being utilised to promote team building. So yes, technology is present and will be constantly change health care. The scary bit is the amount of information being shared if misused.

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I have to agree with Juanita and Liz. Qld Health is very, very slow. I have been hearing about electronic charting for at least ten years now and we still have paper charts. We are lucky to see any new technology at all. Getting new observation machines or new electronic beds, Journey boards are the only big changes we see as well as small changes I suppose with more disposable equipment now available.The PAH seems to be moving ahead . It is a MAGNET hospital I dont know if that makes a difference and maybe they get more funding. Yet new procedures such as TAVI's and Mitral clips etc seem to be making leaps and bounds. Thanks

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I would have to agree with Juanita. In QLD Health at least, at the coalface, there have been very few technological advances. We are still utilising the same paper based reams of patient assessment tools that we have for years, albeit improved and updated versions. Certainly there have been massive improvements in interventional medicine assisted by technology, but the average ward nurse or medical patient with a chronic disease has not seen the benefits yet.

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I disagree, with my current workplace being the first in the country to be paper light converting to electronic everything! 

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I disagree, with my current workplace being the first in the country to be paper light converting to electronic everything! 

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In 2016 the Canterbury District Health Board implemented electronic observation charts. Every ward in the hopsital (across all campuses) have access to approximately 15 ipads that are specifically designed for the nursing staff. We completed our vital signs as usual, but instead of writing them down on paper we just use the ipad to put in the values. The benefit of this, is that the electronic obs programme automatically calculates our early warning scores, and we are in the process of this generating an automatic response to medical staff.
In addition to this, the hospital has become medication chart free and we are now using the programme of MedChart. This has definitely been challenging at times due to connectivity issues in the hospital, but solves the problem of illegible doctors writing.
Fluid balance charts are in the process of being made electronic, as well as partial observations. Our bowel chart, weight chart, BMI charts are all electronic!
It is a fantastic way to work (when there are no issues with the wifi). However, we have had a lot of feedback from consumer groups to say that the nursing staff are now spending more time looking at the technology rather than at the patient.

It is exciting to be apart of an organsiation that is forward thinking, particularly as the surgical side will be moving into a new hospital due to earthquake damage. I look forward to working to create even more use of technology in the years to come.

Katie

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I agree that the health sector, specifically at the front line of patient care, has been largely untouched by technology.
The use of computers to facilitate staff learning, access to information, current research etc, and use of systems for reporting and tracking patient flow,  haemodynamic monitoring has been current practice for many years and whilst the software may be updated the technology itself has not significantly changed  direct clinical practices. I do however, acknowledge that the information gained from these systems has improved the quality of care we provide.
Certainly the technological advances in procedural equipment such as cath lab X-ray units enhances the image quality, improves diagnostic accuracy allowing better and improved treatment/care for patients.
A couple of years ago, I participated in a task force that explored the implications and practices for electronic beside observation monitoring. I was excited at the potential this had for paperless observation recording, electronic alerts and communications, however I have seen no further discussion or progress of this technology enter my clinical specialty.
By far the traditional methods for patient assessment, delivery of care, recording and documenting remain untouched by technology.

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I disagree with the statement "The health sector has been largely untouched by technological change..."In today's world, technology plays an important role in every industry including healthcare. Technology has made significant contributions in improving and saving lives around the world. With the increased use of electronic medical record (EMR), telehealth services and mobile technologies, health care workers and patients are seeing the benefits of these technologies.For example, it is not uncommon to hold video conferences between doctor and patients to save time and money, send health information instantaneously to any specialist or doctor in the world, carry mobile devices anywhere to access health information,better monitoring systems, comfortable scanning equipment , the list is endless... In my workplace in Regional Victoria,  all clinical information in public sector is entered electronically except for medication chart while  pathology and radiology reports are accessed electronically in private hospital. I believe that technological innovations in healthcare industry continue to provide new ways to improve the quality of care delivered to patients and improve the state of global health

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I disagree with the statement "The health sector has been largely untouched by technological change..."In today's world, technology plays an important role in every industry including healthcare. Technology has made significant contributions in improving and saving lives around the world. With the increased use of electronic medical record (EMR), telehealth services and mobile technologies, health care workers and patients are seeing the benefits of these technologies.For example, it is not uncommon to hold video conferences between doctor and patients to save time and money, send health information instantaneously to any specialist or doctor in the world, carry mobile devices anywhere to access health information,better monitoring systems, comfortable scanning equipment , the list is endless... In my workplace in Regional Victoria,  all clinical information in public sector is entered electronically except for medication chart while  pathology and radiology reports are accessed electronically in private hospital. I believe that technological innovations in healthcare industry continue to provide new ways to improve the quality of care delivered to patients and improve the state of global health

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By Judith Lancucki