Healthcare Technology & Nursing Leadership

Nurses need to remain informed of changes and advances in healthcare technology and one of the best ways to ensure that is successful, is to have a leader who is the driver of that knowledge. New technological advances are being created daily and added into the already busy and often times overwhelming days of nurses. Changes are coming fast and we cannot slow down. If we do, we will not be successful. For the first time, hospitals are becoming competitive and patients are taking charge of their healthcare. Financial incentives are now tied to not only the implementation but the meaningful use of the electronic medical record and soon, penalties will be given to those organizations who have not successfully implemented an electronic system. Nurse leaders must work with the IT department to develop, adjust and implement technology to improve the quality and safety of patient care as well as support staff with the use of the technology (Nickitas,  & Kerfoot, 2008). Nurse leaders must spearhead these new advances and serve as cheerleaders for staff that are reluctant to adopt the different technologies. Having a leader who is enthusiastic and interested will trickle to staff that perhaps do not share the excitement and together, the leader and the team will work toward the improvement of healthcare. As time moves on and more technological advances are introduced, nurse leaders will also be able to take data collected and interpret it as it relates to patient care. Leaders will be able to utilize this data to make changes within the organization to better manage patient care. According to Schyve (2009), leaders have the resources, control and influence to provide different factors that contribute to the quality and safety of patient care within an organization. Leaders within an organization must work together and utilize the available technology to improve care and lead by example to their staff. Leaders have the responsibility to ensure the overall safety and effectiveness of the technology that is in place within an organization. Without gathering all necessary data related to the purchase of a new piece of equipment for example, patient care may have a negative effect rather than an improved one that was expected. Leaders must fully examine workflow processes and look for areas for potential improvement and once found, involve staff members who are immediate members of the workflow to solicit meaningful feedback as well as ideas for improvement (Schyve, 2008). As changes continue to occur in healthcare and new technology being introduced almost daily, it is imperative for the nurse leader to keep lines of communication open between leadership and staff (Vogelsmier, & Cawiezell-Scott 2009). This will ensure an improvement in healthcare delivery as well as safer care. Equally important is the need for ongoing feedback from the team to the leader so that care can continue to improve as technology does


References
Nickitas, D., &  Kerfoot, K. (2008). Nursing informatics: why nurses need to stay informed. Retrieved February 27, 2015 from  http://www.nursingeconomics.net/cgi-bin/WebObjects/NECJournal.woa/wa/viewSection?tName=newsArticle&od_id=805323027&s_id=1073744453
Schyve, P. (2009). Leadership in healthcare organizations. A guide to joint commission leadership standards. Retrieved February 27, 2015 from http://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/WP_Leadership_Standards.pdf
Vogelsmeier, A., & Cawiezell-Scott, J. (2009). Technology: the role of nursing leadership in successful technology implementation. Journal of Nursing Administration (39).7/8. 313-314. Retrieved February 27, 2015 from http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/JournalArticle?Article_ID=927674