Digital technologies and nursing
profession
College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra
Lecture Objectives
After studying this lecture, the students will be able to:
I. Provide overview about digital technology in nursing
practice and education
II. Identify major challenge and benefits of using technology in
nursing
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Introduction
According to the World Health Organization
(WHO) [1], between 2015 and 2050, the percentage
of the global population aged 60 years old and above
will nearly double, from 12% to 22%. This shows
that the aging population is increasing at a rate
considerably greater than in the past.
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Introduction
Thus, many countries face significant issues
concerning the healthy living of older persons,
ensuring that health and social systems are prepared
to take advantage of this demographic shift. For this
reason, some countries have developed the
integration of technologies capable of human
interaction, such as robots with artificial intelligence
(AI).
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Introduction
These technologies are particularly useful in
hospital settings, in which demands for healthcare,
in general, can result in a shortage of healthcare
workers.
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Overview
Digital technologies promise great opportunities
to overcome existing problems and challenges in the
care sector. Many health care systems face challenges
such as a shortage of skilled workers and,
simultaneously, an increasing demand for long-term
care owing to demographic change.
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What is technology
Technology is defined as the practical
application of knowledge especially in particular
area.
A manner of accomplishing a task especially
using technical process, methods or knowledge.
Some example of this technology including but
not limited to computers, cell phone, internet.
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A few examples of clinical automation technology in
healthcare.
1.Automated external defibrillators
Small machines can be found in public areas such as office
buildings, community centers, and airports. They're so easy to
use that even a child can help to save a life.
2. Portable monitoring equipment
Nurses can track patients when they move throughout the
hospital or helping another patient. Portable devices can monitor
respiratory rates and oxygen saturation.
3. Smart bed track technology
These provide the nurse with updates and communication on a
patient's activity, like their movement, weight, and vitals. Patients
can rest more at night since nurses spend less time adjusting
supplies and medical equipment.
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A few examples of clinical automation technology in
healthcare.
4. Electronic health record (EHR)
These digital records replace the older paper system and allow
healthcare providers to document and retrieve information
quickly and easily. The EHR provides real-time health updates,
which can help improve the speed and accuracy of care.
5. Telehealth
Apps and other technology allow patients to video chat with their
providers. This increases access to healthcare for patients in rural
areas or patients who are housebound.
6. TUG robot
The TUG robot helps transport medical devices, drugs, lab
specimens, and sensitive supplies. The system replaces the
pneumatic tube system, using biometric security and pin codes to
ensure security. 9
Robots and Robotics in Nursing
“systems of mechanical, electrical, and control
mechanisms used by trained operators in a professional
health care setting that perform tasks in direct
interaction with patients, nurses, doctors, and other
health care professionals and which can modify their
behavior based on what they sense in their
environment”.
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Robots and Robotics in Nursing
Robots in nursing can perform logistical and
laborious physical tasks, combat loneliness and
inactivity in the older population, or can be assigned
to routine tasks such as measuring patients’ vital
signs”. Additionally, other hospital technologies can
also be integrated with robotic technologies, such as
electronic health record systems that facilitate the
recording of a patient’s healthcare history to ensure the
continuity of care. 11
Robots and Robotics in Nursing
This assistive robotics can promote patient and
nurse communication as care time may be
enhanced by such robotic technology.
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Robot Development Examples and
Challenges
Japanese has been implementing the “Japanese Robot
Strategy”, a program that encompasses the use of
communication robots for older persons who have low
levels of social participation. This strategy is pivotal in
preventing dementia and delaying chronicity while
promoting positive therapeutic effects.
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Robot Development Examples and
Challenges
- An illustration of this strategy is the use of service
robots. One popular robot used in industry,
entertainment, and patient care is the humanoid robot
called Pepper.
- It is a service robot programmed to engage persons
who have certain conditions in therapeutic activities,
such as monitoring their performance of tasks that help
improve their physical functions as well as the extent of
their interactive communication.
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Robot Development Examples and
Challenges
Taking the situation during the COVID-19 pandemic as
an example, several robotics companies developed their
robots to contribute to the medical field such as :
- UVD (Ultraviolet Disinfection) robots,
- PAL Robots [52], and TIAGo (Take It And Go) had their
robots used in hospitals to perform various tasks that
would otherwise place staff in danger due to their
exposure to the virus; functions such as disinfection of
areas by UVD robots in Italian hospitals, PAL’s ‘Ari’ robots
to increase social stimulation, and TIAGo’s dual purpose
robots of disinfecting and delivering medicine and food
to patients. 15
Robot Development Examples and
Challenges
What was more interesting was the mention of Boston
Dynamics’ work in developing a robot, their dog-like robot
called ‘Spot’ that could take vital signs from a distance of
two (2) meters from the patient by developing algorithms
that can aid in such measurements
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Robots with Natural Language Expression
by AI
Robots with AI must first discover nursing situations
occurring based on data previously stored in an envisioned
“Nursing Situation Database”. The appropriate nursing
response must be recognized from the “Nursing Response
Database”.
For example, if a patient has a hallucination, the AI will find
a nursing response for that patient from the database, and
the nursing robot will respond appropriately (appropriate
actions and natural language expressions).
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Advantages of using nursing care robots
1. Assist bed-ridden patients
2. Quicker to train
3. Reduction of labor costs
4. Store information and administer treatment
5. Companionship
6. Helps to address cognitive decline
7. Data collection
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Disadvantages of using nursing care robots
1. Privacy compromise
Nursing robots can use surveillance equipment to monitor
and record all the patients’ activities and data and relay the
same information to other sources may compromise privacy.
Even though, in many instances, this feature helps to
safeguard the patients, it could lead to patients’ privacy
violations at some point.
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Disadvantages of using nursing care robots
2. Employment Issues
The rise of robotic nurses in the healthcare industry also
means that the demand for human nurses is not as high as it
was a couple of years ago, a significant concern in the
medical field. Some analysts say that depriving the sector of
human healthcare providers could deprive some
communities of the medical assistance they need.
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Benefits of Clinical Automation
Technology in Nursing
• This can free nurses to spend more time with patients.
Also, helping to supplement nursing care can increase job
satisfaction and help with retention.
• "Technology can ease staff communication, increase
collaboration, and improve responsiveness. That being
said, the most valuable automation solutions, in my
opinion, are those that give you time back to spend with
patients,"
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Benefits of Clinical Automation
Technology in Nursing
• The technology can reduce delays and help the nursing
staff operate more efficiently
• reduce the workload on charge nurses and administrative
staff
• it's relieved some of the emotional burdens that come with
caring for others in need,
• automation technologies can help alleviate a nurse's stress
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Challenges of Clinical Automation
Technology in Nursing
• Developing trust in technology can be a major challenge to
overcome.
• This distrust extends to the patient as well, who may not
want to work with chatbots to handle their health or who
believe that technology cannot help protect their privacy.
Overcoming this challenge may require a shift in the
healthcare culture.
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Internet of Medical Things
(IOMT)
Is an application of the IOT for medical and health care related
purpose.
Most common applications:
Ingestible sensors: smart pill
IOT wearable devices: Apple watch
Ingestible devices
Smart pill
• Abilify tablets is an example of ingestible devices
with sensor that send a signal to the arm patch worn
by the patient, once the pill reaches a patient’s
stomach then transmits the data, to patient’s mobile
device, their physicians, and up to four other persons.
Digital technology in nursing
education
• Technology has revolutionized nursing education1
by providing various tools and methods that enhance the learni
ng outcomes and experiences of nursing students. Some of the
technologies used in nursing education are: Virtual reality and
simulations that create immersive and realistic scenarios for
students to practice their skills and decision-making.
• Online learning platforms, apps, and electronic textbooks that
offer flexible and accessible learning resources and
opportunities.
• Telehealth, EHRs, and wireless monitoring devices that expose
students to the latest trends and innovations in health care
delivery and management.
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Thank You
