1. Postive Impacts
1.1. Greater efficiency, as various orders and test results are no longer required to be physically transported between providers, reducing turnaround time
1.1.1. Direct and efficient communication between providers and pharmacies, rather than relying on patients or courier services, which may result in delays or loss of information8
1.1.1.1. Improved patient safety through the use of automatic dosage adjustments, which would reduce the likelihood of dangerous or ineffective medication doses being prescribed
1.1.2. Improvements in legibility, which are likely to result in fewer errors and associated delays
1.1.2.1. The use of these technologies, nurses are expected to change the way they document patient care by shifting from paper-based records to electronic systems.
1.1.2.1.1. Nurses must be able to process a large quantity of data from the system (eg, vital signs, symptoms) and then use clinical decision skills to respond properly to each patient’s condition
1.1.2.2. Increased Patient Safety: Health information systems can not only store and display but synthesize patient information
1.1.2.2.1. Efficient Care Coordination: Information technology systems allow multiple medical professionals simultaneously involved in a patient’s care to record, disseminate, and share updates, logs, and findings
1.1.2.2.2. Increased Patient Information Accessibility: Health information technology systems could allow seamless and instant access to patient records for every medical professional working with a particular patient, allowing lab technicians, specialists, physicians, and nurse practitioners to access pertinent information and better inform treatment.
2. Negative Impacts
2.1. Set Up and Internet Access: An important disadvantage of technology in nursing is that some patients may not be savvy with technology.
2.1.1. Malfunctioning Equipment: One of the biggest headaches of technology is what happens when technology just doesn’t work.
2.1.1.1. At the Mercy of the Server/Power: Another issue for technology in nursing, both in the healthcare facility and classroom, is being at the mercy of the Internet and power server.
2.1.1.1.1. Potential Lack of Attention to Detail: Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of technology, in general, is that people can come to rely on it a little too much.
2.1.2. Expensive an increasingly sophisticated health technology definitely does not come cheap. We have to understand that all first world national healthcare systems face a range of challenges; one of which is the ageing population.
2.1.2.1. Requires time to adapt fast. As we know, technology is constantly evolving. Many a time there will be new softwares, new upgrades, new way of doing things.
2.1.2.1.1. Over-dependency on technology. While once the staff has adapted to the new way of work, there comes the next problem. It is not uncommon for a computer system to face technical errors.