Technology in Oncology Nursing
Technology in Oncology Nursing
Information technology has become an essential component in the nursing profession, including oncology nursing. It is seen in the healthcare setting for educational purposes, electronic health records, charting, and more (Fetter, 2009). Information technology can be used to promote patient safety, to improve efficiency, and to create a patient-centered plan of care (Bakken, Cimino, & Hripcsak, 2004). Also, information technology has affected the bioethical principles of beneficence, maleficence, justice, and autonomy in both positive and negative means (Polit & Beck, 2012).
Information technology has made improvements to patient safety. Access to patient information and records that is needed to develop and implement the plan of care can be obtained immediately at the bedside because of technology such as pagers and wireless devices. In some facilities, alerts are produced as “triggers” for patient safety concerns such as adverse drug reactions or abnormal laboratory data. These alerts are beneficial in oncology nursing as the nurse is warned of low blood counts or kidney functions before administering chemotherapy. Interdisciplinary communication has become more convenient, especially in the case of an emergency because of technology advancements (Bakken et al., 2004). Therefore, the provider can be notified immediately of an adverse reaction to a chemotherapy agent for example.
Use of technology is proving to be more efficient through research in the nursing practice. Patient data collected on paper contains a higher number of entry errors, higher costs, and more time spent on reviewing the data when compared to electronic methods. The nurse can quickly assess patient data such laboratory result, obtain a new physician order, and discuss it with the patient without ever leaving the bedside. The nurse is allowed an increase in autonomy because of these advancement methods (Hardwick, Puido, & Adelson, 2007). Autonomy is
Information technology has become an essential component in the nursing profession, including oncology nursing. It is seen in the healthcare setting for educational purposes, electronic health records, charting, and more (Fetter, 2009). Information technology can be used to promote patient safety, to improve efficiency, and to create a patient-centered plan of care (Bakken, Cimino, & Hripcsak, 2004). Also, information technology has affected the bioethical principles of beneficence, maleficence, justice, and autonomy in both positive and negative means (Polit & Beck, 2012).
Information technology has made improvements to patient safety. Access to patient information and records that is needed to develop and implement the plan of care can be obtained immediately at the bedside because of technology such as pagers and wireless devices. In some facilities, alerts are produced as “triggers” for patient safety concerns such as adverse drug reactions or abnormal laboratory data. These alerts are beneficial in oncology nursing as the nurse is warned of low blood counts or kidney functions before administering chemotherapy. Interdisciplinary communication has become more convenient, especially in the case of an emergency because of technology advancements (Bakken et al., 2004). Therefore, the provider can be notified immediately of an adverse reaction to a chemotherapy agent for example.
Use of technology is proving to be more efficient through research in the nursing practice. Patient data collected on paper contains a higher number of entry errors, higher costs, and more time spent on reviewing the data when compared to electronic methods. The nurse can quickly assess patient data such laboratory result, obtain a new physician order, and discuss it with the patient without ever leaving the bedside. The nurse is allowed an increase in autonomy because of these advancement methods (Hardwick, Puido, & Adelson, 2007). Autonomy is