MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Abstract

Advances in technology are impacting the way that most people do their jobs – and nursing is certainly no different. In this hectic world, people expect health care to meet their needs quickly. The Modern Technology helps to deliver these elements, putting the power back in the hands of the patients. Many of the health care technologies we see today have been put in place to make a nurse's everyday routine safer and more efficient. The practice of nursing is constantly changing, due in part to technological advances. Nursing technology has changed the way nurses work and continues to develop, along with the roles that nurses play in today's health care arena. Technology in the nursing world has increased patient satisfaction and overall outcomes, reduced clinical errors and decreased the amount of paperwork that nurses were once required to perform. The outlook for new technology in nursing remains strong, as new devices, computers and machinery aim to transform the future of health care. Computer and software companies are working together for further advancement in healthcare technology. Wireless and mobile applications will enable nurses to have the information they need directly at their fingertips. Accessing patient records, X-rays, medication information and even obtaining a second opinion from another health care professional, can all be done directly in the modern healthcare technology. Utilizing a wireless network and computer, nurses can now access and receive information right from the patient's room. Smart beds work in conjunction with other point-of-care technology to obtain and analyze patient information such as weight, temperature and head and neck elevation. Electronic lift systems operated by remote control and other wireless technologies have greatly reduced injury and stress for patients. Patient and staff identifiers in the hospital setting have become increasingly important in light of patient mix-ups and unauthorized people entering a facility or accessing patient records. Some of the newer technological advances include Bar codes, wristbands and radio frequency identification (RFID), all work to track and identify patients in an effort to reduce errors while also keeping the hospital population safe. They can be used for tasks such as locating the nearest wheelchair or blood pressure machine, centrally monitoring equipment maintenance cycles and streamlining patient flow and bed management. Electronic health record (EHR) systems are rapidly becoming the gold standard in healthcare settings, replacing outdated paper records. In addition to providing instant access to patient medical histories and records, EHRs can also improve coordination between all members of a patient's care team, alert caregivers to potential prescription drug interactions and flag test results and other items for follow-up. Ultimately, this technology will improve response times, increase accuracy and ensure safety. In addition to helping patients, technology can also help nurses and other clinical staffs improve communication and introduce greater efficiencies in clinical workflow which frees up nurses and other staff to spend more time concentrating on delivering the best possible patient care. Thus MJN attempts to help nurses to take up leadership role and be engaged with other health professionals in redesigning patient care. As a result nursing must advance with certainty to influence online technology as an educational delivery platform, combine pedagogy with andragogy to aid adult learning, and build mutually beneficial partnerships. It will take all of us working together to create this much needed new educational representation.