Innovative technology in the healthcare industry

Write a 2 Paragraph response (with 2-3 sources) to this post offering additional/alternative ideas regarding opportunities and risks related to the observations shared.

Innovative technology in the healthcare industry has made significant strides in patient care by utilizing these advancements to diagnose health conditions and deliver effective treatment quickly. My healthcare organization has adopted the use of interpretation technology, a device that facilitates communication between patients who have limited proficiency in English and healthcare providers through a digital communication system (Scamman, 2018). At my organization, we often use the audiovisual interpretation system when we are communicating with patients with limited English proficiency. The audiovisual call is done through a touchscreen tablet on a wheeled stand that can be rolled into the patient’s room and connects to a medically trained interpreter for the language of choice within seconds. This application is used to translate pertinent information about the treatment plan, provide education, and answer patient questions. Another feature used at my organization is the mobile patient portal, a web-based application that allows patients to communicate with their providers, ask questions, schedule appointments, and review their health records.

As with most technological devices, there is always the risk of encountering a device malfunction. The use of an audiovisual interpretation system presents a risk for technical disruptions, such as sound and video quality issues or inability to connect the call. While these disruptions can be corrected through technology design and adequate internet connection, it can create feelings of frustration in providers who are unable to effectively communicate with the patient (Clay-Williams, Baysari, Taylor, Zalitis, Georgiou, Robinson, Braithwaite & Westbrook, 2017).

Another risk associated with the use of healthcare technology is a patient data breach. Even with advanced security features, electronic systems are still subject to the invasion of cyberhackers. According to Vrhovec (2016), the majority of data breaches in healthcare are directly connected with mobile device loss and theft. Cyberhackers can access patient information shared between medical providers on their personal device or gain access to the patient’s portal system, placing patients at risk for medical identity theft and violation of their privacy (Vrhovec, 2016).

Despite these risks, healthcare technology serves a significant contribution to patient care and the delivery of data. While studies show that language barriers between providers and patients may lead to inappropriate treatment and increased length of hospital stay (Fetterolf, 2017), the use of the interpretation system can mitigate this barrier. By using the audiovisual interpretation system, providers can communicate the treatment plan in a language that the patient understands, and the patient can address any concerns or questions they have. Other studies have shown that patient portals improve outcomes of preventive care and disease awareness and self-management (Alotaibi & Federico, 2017).

The healthcare technology trend, I believe, is most promising for impacting technology in nursing practice is telemonitoring, also known as remote patient monitoring (RPM). RPM uses digital technology to collect data from patients outside of a clinical setting and transmit this information to healthcare providers for further management of behaviors and trends that affect one’s health (Mcgrail, 2019). One example of the use of RPM is the Fitbit study conducted in 2018, which allowed researchers to track multiple variables that contribute to heart disease, thereby allowing providers to determine appropriate interventions (Mcgrail, 2019). Another example of RPM is the use of a remote glucose monitoring device, which provides real-time glucose readings and tracks the patient’s glucose level patterns for proper management with insulin. RPM is a beneficial tool in the management of chronic conditions. These devices allow providers to collect data about the patients’ health-related patterns in their everyday settings and modify the plan of care for improved patient outcomes.

These are the sources you used for my post this. You can use these or any others you want. I trust your judgement

Baniasadi, T., Kalhori, S.R., Ayyoubzadeh, S.M., Zakerabasali, S., & Pourmohamadkhan, M. (2018). Study of challenges to utilize mobile-based health care monitoring systems: A descriptive literature review. Journal of 

Telemedicine and Telecare, 24(10), 661–668. DOI: 10.1177/1357633X18804747

Naseribooriabadi, T., & Sheikhtaheri, A. (2015). Social media and health care: Necessity of facing their challenges. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 44(4), 596–597. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4441977/

University of Saint Mary. (n.d.). Five exciting technologies that are changing nursing practice. Retrieved from https://online.stmary.edu/msn/resources/five-technologies-changing-nursing-practice

Skiba, D. (2017). Evaluation tools to appraise social media and mobile applications. Informatics, 4(3), 32. doi:10.3390/informatics4030032