Internet and Electronic Technologies in My Nursing Profession

I am very grateful that nursing informatics provides me an opportunity to enhance my advancements of my nursing profession. Today, I realized the value of information technology in the community. I no longer considered myself to be novice in the world of computer technology. I was able to uplift my level of computer literacy that helps me achieve an easy transition to the adaptation and enhancement of electronic health record system in my workplace, online school technologies such as web-based library, blackboard system and the effective use of social media. Access to information has been made fast and easy in this modern world. Informatics provides an easy access to information which is important in the enrichment of the nursing knowledge and clinical competence needed to deliver the best possible care for the patients and the community as a whole. I realized today that nursing informatics is the key to be a successful nurse practitioner. I will continue to explore more educational opportunities using informatics to guide me in the advancement of my nursing profession.

Defibrillator Brings Back Lives!

Defibrillators definitely saves lives. Today, I was able to witnessed sudden cardiac arrest patient revived by singe innovative technology- external defibrillator. The emergency team leader connected the patient to the heart monitor and noted a cardiac fibrillation. After confirming the lethal rhythm, an electric shock was administered and eventually a normal sinus rhythm was restored.

Advancement of technology is important to meet the increasingly evolving nursing challenges in this modern world. The proper use of innovative technologies like defibrillators is vital in saving human lives. Adequate maintenance keeps defibrillators is proper working condition. Providing public education regarding the effective use of defibrillators in heavily populated commercial areas will make a positive impact in preventing death by sudden cardiac arrest.

Spectra Link Keeps Me Connected!

Spectra link system uses spectra phone that keeps me connected within my workplace. This wireless phone unit allows me to place a call and receive phone calls. communication is important in our nursing department and so every worker is encouraged to carry a unit. Some find it inconvenient to carry a spectra phone but for me, I see it as a necessity. Just like what I experienced today when my patient experienced a deteriorating status. I was able to utilize my spectra phone calling directly rapid response team, calling the laboratory, radiology, respiratory personnels as well as the primary care physician for emergency evaluation and management. Emergency calls can be enhanced through spectra link system. Keeping spectra phone in good working condition certainly makes a difference in our nursing department.

My Workday Without Pyxis

I first experienced my workday without the automated medication management. The pyxis medstation was done in the whole department that created an overwhelming situation to patients, management and especially to nursing staffs. I was able to distribute the medications on time such as antibiotics and some pain medications. The situation causes confusion and chaos for nurses.

I realized today the value of this innovative technology- Pyxis MedStation System in my nursing profession. There is a big difference in the nursing practice without it. Not having an automated medication dispenser significantly affects the quality of nursing service in today's health care. The pyxis system provides fast and accurate dispensing of medications. The system eliminates significant medication errors in my workplace. Proper use of this pyxis medstation system is vital in dispensing safely prescribed medications.

Pneumatic Tube System Delivers Really Fast!

Today, I realized the significance of using the pneumatic tube system. I was able to send blood sample to the hospital's laboratory in a touch of a button. Inter-hospital delivery system has been made simple, fast and easy nowadays. Sending medications, supplies and other materials to different locations in the hospital with designated destination number is made possible through the use of pneumatic tube system. The AC 3000 technology is a specialized method of delivery that involves a special carrier that can be shoot through a tube system using an air-tight vacuum. The system is able to send and received materials across the hospital departments. A built-in directory is listed in the panel. Simple and easy steps are need to follow for sending out. First thing to do is to place the item in the special carrier. The carrier is then inserted in lunch pad and a number key specific to the destination can be dialed. Automatically, the pneumatic tube system delivers the canister in a matter of seconds. Proper maintenance is needed to maintain the system in good working condition. A quarterly system check is recommended and followed in the workplace. The use of this system enhances the quality of patient outcome because laboratory samples, medications, and other supplies can be delivered in a safe and

timely manner.

Insulin Pump Works!

I am currently taking care of an interesting patient who uses insulin pump. It is such a small device like the size of a pager which my patient carries in his pocket.I find it amazing technological innovation. The patient is able to check his own blood glucose level and the result is reflected automatically in the insulin pump monitor through interface. Based on my patient's meal intake, a specific amount of carbohydrate is then inputted and the pump automatically calculates specific units of insulin to be administered. The system involves an insulin reservoir with computer operated control chamber connected to a specialized infusion set. The machine is compact

and can be easily operated. Self-management of diabetes is widely encouraged nowadays. Patients are empowered more than ever to self-monitor blood sugar. Insulin pump provides a golden opportunity for patients' to personally manage diabetes and control their own blood glucose level. This technological innovation delivers safety and convenience in managing diabetes for both the patient and the nurse as well. Fast and accurate glucometer result is made possible. I realized that administration of insulin has been made easy and convenient. I recognized the need to emphasize adequate patient education in using insulin pump because this is patient controlled insulin administration. Severe hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia can occur if correct procedure is not followed. Proper maintenance to keep the pump in good working condition such as regular battery replacement is vital to maintain the effectiveness of using insulin pump. Insulin pump is one great tool to control increasing number of diabetes nationally and internationally.

Digital Thermometers Tell Body Temperatures

There are several thermometers in the market today. People use thermometers according to preference. Different patient uses different kinds of thermometer such as axillary, oral, and rectal. The use specific kind of thermometer with its appropriate approach helps get correct results. I am using a one of a kind digital thermometer today wherein just a simple slide of the thermometer's sensor on the patients forehead will instantly gives an accurate temperature reading. Advancements in technology is continuously increasing. Thermometers are now digital. The old fashioned mercury thermometers are no longer for public use because of safety issue in lead exposure. I remember well the way we use mercury thermometers before. It took a lot of effort shaking the mercury down and disinfecting after each patient use with alcohol. I broke a lot of thermometers in front of my patients back then and it was really unsafe. In this modern days of innovation, the use of thermometer has never been this simple. Getting patients temperature while providing safety has been made easy with the use of digital thermometers. Just a scan to patients forehead will provide accurate temperature readings. I am grateful for this technological advancement that help nurse in variety of ways.

The Use of Specialized Bed in Preventing Pressure Ulcers

I was taking care of a patient today who is bed-bound and cannot take care of himself. I took an initiative to request for a specialized bed. This innovative technology is very beneficial in the field of nursing. Nurses are working hard in giving nursing care to patients including those who need total care. Preventing a break in patient's skin is a big challenge in our nursing profession. All possible precautionary measures to prevent decubitus ulcers are being considered as a priority in my work place. The current health care system is changing policy regarding pressure ulcers. Hospital acquired pressure ulcers are taken seriously. Air mattress is widely utilized as preventive measures against hospital acquired decubitus ulcers. There are lots of advantages of using this specialized bed. A specialized bed with pressure reducing mattresses like air mattress do not just prevent bed sores but also provide comfort for patients and nurses as well. It also helps prevent falls. Bathing and turning patients are made easy with the use of an air mattress because pressure is reduced. Although it is expensive to rent theses specialized beds, the advantages always prevail. It is a wise judgement to take all precautionary measures to prevent a break in skin integrity of every patient especially those who need total nursing care. Afterall, prevention is way much better than cure. The use of specialized bed with pressure reducing mattress is one key in preventing pressure ulcers.

Providing Nutrition Using Enteral Feeding Pump

I was starting an enteral feeding when I started to wonder what would it be without a feeding pump in the United States and around the world. This question struck in my mind and made me curious. I remember the way I was giving feeding in the Philippines a decade ago. Bolus feeding is commonly used in our facility. At that time, nurses encouraged families to do enteral feeding for those patients who cannot do it for themselves in order for nurses to attend to other patient's needs. It took more nurse's time,  effort and patience feeding one patient using gravity because we did not have feeding pump at that time. Now that I am here in America, I definitely experienced the great benefits of using feeding pump. Providing enteral nutrition has been made easy and simple. Nurses can easily administer prescribed amount of feeding, regulate feeding rate and check for residual to determine malabsorption. Feeding problems can potentially be avoided. Proper guidelines must be followed in using feeding pump. Keeping patients head on elevation when feeding and checking for residuals regularly prevent feeding complications such as bloating and vomiting. It is important to maintain proper maintenance of these feeding devices. Charging feeding pump always, keeping it clean, and making sure it is in good working condition are responsibilities that nurses considered. Feeding pump is indeed one great technological innovation that lightens the work load of nurses in providing enteral. 

Managing Pain With Patient-Controlled Analgesia

I am simply amazed by the innovation of such a useful pain management measure in our surgical department, the use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Proper pain management is one important goal in nursing. Pain has been given a great emphasis nowadays. The use of patient-controlled analgesia is widely used to alleviate pain and suffering. It has the capability to deliver exact amount of pain medication and a specific indicated time for pain management. The great advantage is that the patient himself is the one controlling the administration of pain medication. It gives the patient an independence in alleviating his own suffering.  Ensuring that PCA machines are properly working and correctly programmed for the right patient is very important. Nurses must collaborate to counter check before starting PCA administration. Patient safety is a prime importance. PCA machines are commonly used in our department for controlling pain of our post operative patients. It is vital for us nurses to make sure that hospital policies and procedures  in starting patient controlled analgesia are properly followed to enhance patient safety.

The Importance of Professional Meeting for Nurses

I attended the School Nurse Symposium 2011 today held at the Knapp Medical Conference Center. The Texas School Nurse Organization (TSNO) sponsored this event, which was primarily attended by the Rio Grande Valley school nurses. This year’s theme is, ‘Opening Doors to Better Health’. This symposium is organized to provide relevant nursing topics that impact school nursing and to utilize specific strategies and applications in the clinic practice. The presentations are geared towards improving patient outcome through the use of improved assessment, effective communication, and appropriate application. The eight-hour course agenda include discussions on Assessment of Childhood Illnesses, Anger Management, Obesity/ Diabetes, and Essential Fatty Acid and Health. Door prizes and exhibits were included that made the activity more fun and entertaining. This nursing professional meeting is indeed successful.

The symposium is a great learning opportunity for the participants. I personally learned the value of school nurses in our community. Nursing profession is aiming towards improving health. I realized that school nurses, like any other areas in nursing, are constantly facing an ever rising demands in dealing with health care needs of not just school children but organizational staffs as well. I was able to learn the nature of school nursing and its current trends, issues, and challenges. I learned about relevant nursing topics that influence school nursing. I learned the importance of thorough assessment and screening to detect childhood illnesses, the proper techniques in dealing with an angry child, the effective ways in managing childhood obesity and diabetes, and the benefits of essential fatty acids in our health. And because the presenters are Rio Grande Valley physicians, I was able to absorb some specific strategies and applications in the local clinic practice. Most importantly, I learned the importance of professional organizations in our nursing profession. I realized that professional organizations such as TSNO are promoting goals to assist nurses toward professional growth and development. I learned that professional advancement is necessary in our community. Attending to professional meetings and taking part in professional organizations in nursing are vital in improving the delivery of our health care system and the global health in general. The learning experience from this seminar is meaningful to me. I am looking forward to attend more professional meetings in the future because I learned from this symposium that participation in professional organizations is one key to achieve advanced practice nursing. I am very grateful for the success of the symposium.

Clot Prevention After Surgery

Earlier today, I received a new post laparoscopic appendectomy patient from recovery room and immediately assessed the patient and monitored for stability of the patient's condition. I always make sure to apply anti-embolism stockings and sequential compression devices (SCD's) to all my post operative patients as preventive measures for clot formation. It is of great importance in my nursing profession to prevent possible complications of surgery and one thing to avoid is clot formation. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and embolus are common complications of patient after surgery and may even lead to death if not prevented. Blood clot and embolus are absolutely preventable. The use of anti-embolic stockings and sequential compression devices is important in preventing such post operative complications. Certain nursing considerations need to be observed when applying these clot prevention measures such as the right stocking size to be applied and frequent observation of the neurovascular status of patient's extremities. Ensuring patient safety is important in applying any mechanical devices for the patients and so making sure SCD machines are functioning properly is great concern. Administering prescribed anti-coagulation at appropriate time such as heparin and lovenox as DVT prophylaxis is another effective way of preventing clot formation in patients after surgery. Adhering to hospital policies and procedures are vital to ensure patient safety and this includes the proper way of applying anti-embolism stockings and sequential compression devices for clot prevention.

Regulating Intravenous Fluid Rate in My Workplace

Today, I am giving intravenous fluid to my patient using dial flow regulator  because I cannot find any infusion pump anywhere in the whole surgical tower. I just realized the importance of having infusion pumps or dial flow regulators in my nursing profession. I remember in my early days in nursing as a student, we manually regulate the clamp of the tubing to infuse the rate of intravenous fluid per minute. It took several time of experience to be able to estimate the drops per minute to be administered. It was a challenging experience to manually adjust infusion rates to be able to get the exact rate of administration. With technological innovations, delivery of intravenous fluids and medications is made easier and safer. Dial flow regulators and intravenous infusion pumps are widely used nowadays in administering intravenous fluids and medications. Dial flow regulator is handy and affordable.  Advanced infusion system like intravenous pump delivers the exact rate on infusion but may sound expensive to most people. Specific tubings and machines or any devices for intravenous administration that meet quality standard must be utilized to safely give the best possible care for the patients. It is prime important for nurses to administer intravenous fluids and medications safely and conveniently. More advancements in technology are needed in nursing profession. Delivering compassionate patient care with safety and effectivity in mind is a great focus in nursing as our profession.

Social Media in Nursing

It is very amazing to see technological advancements in Nursing nowadays. The innovation of wireless technology and the internet are widely used today in the health care setting. It changes the landscape in medical as well as nursing practice. Social networking sites such as Facebook, blogs and Twitter are increasingly utilized to connect more people electronically anywhere around the world and used such technological advancements to disseminate health promoting initiatives. Online health care socialization is initiated to improve people's health. There are websites that help form active groups that promote social discussions and further enhance health knowledge. Like for instance web MD that provides important health information to promote health and prevent disease occurrence. Social media serve as powerful tools  for online communication. One surgeon in my workplace uses text messages to give medical recommendations or follow up patient progress. Facebook and blogs are used to communicate patients concerns to their friends and relatives just as one patient of mine told me that he uses these as tool to exchange input in their health conditions. The patient claimed that it is a way of getting social and emotional support that patients need most.

It is good to hear positive contributions in social media in relation to our Nursing profession. But as patient advocate, stressing the importance of protecting health information and keeping patient privacy is vital. I want to emphasize that social networking also presents privacy and liability issues especially, for health care providers who are using social media in medical and nursing professions, to be extra careful not to violate any Privacy Rule. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is regulating Protected Health Information. Always make sure no Privacy Rule is violated.

Social media has great potential in improving the level of our health care today and in the future. It help brings our nursing profession to a next dimension. Let us all use it effectively and safely.

Glucometer Measures Your Sugar!

Glucometer is widely used in the medical-surgical department where I currently work. I can say that glucometer saves lives based on hospital experiences. My certified nurse assistant (CNA) informed me this morning that the patient's blood sugar was 48 mg/dl. I immediately went to assess the patient and found to be unresponsive. Dextrose 50% was administered intravenously and after a few minutes, my patient started to regain responsiveness.

I am amazed by this technological innovation. This piece of equipment is capable of measuring accurately blood glucose level. The result is automatically relayed to the laboratory through interface. Fast results can be viewed in the monitor. Previous blood sugar levels can be accessed to show specific trends which can be used to adjust insulin dosage required. This is very important in managing and controlling diabetes which is considered as common preventable disease prevalent here in the Rio Grande Valley. Proper self-management of diabetes is

recommended nowadays and glucometer is very vital in empowering patients for self-monitoring blood glucose level. Glucometer is very beneficial in hospital setting as well as home usage.

Trends of Laboratory Values and Your Health!

Regular checking of laboratory result trends is a priority in my workplace. Lab values tell the health condition of every patient. Today, I encountered a patient who's hemoglobin level suddenly dropped to 7.2 gm/dl today following a recent pilonidal cyst removal. I immediately reviewed previous laboratory results and found a significant decline that made me suspect for blood loss. I directly called the surgeon and a blood transfusion was administered soon after. The patient was hemodynamically stablilized after the blood administaration.

Trends in laboratory values determine individual's health. This leads in identifying nursing needs and initiate plan of actions to implement evidenced-based nursing interventions to improve patient's level of health. Trends of laboratory results, radiological studies, vital signs, intakes and outputs are easily accessible nowadays. Constant monitoring of this data are important in nursing practice to detect sudden changes in individual's health condition. I am very thankful for today's positive learning experience.

Pulse Oximeter Saves My Patient!

I have admitted a post appendectomy patient today with continous morphine Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) infusing. As endorsed by recovery room nurse that an additional dose of morphine 10 mg was given intravenously per advise by the surgeon. Vital signs monitoring was continued in patient's room. I always use continous pulse oximeter machine in patients with PCA's. After few hours, the patient was observed to have increasing lethargy and steadily decreasing oxygen saturation down to lower 90's and so, I decided to stop the infusion and immediately notified the surgeon. A significant dose of Narcan reversed the sedation status. Oxygen supplementation was maintained and the patient's oxygen saturation was stabilized. Utilizing pulse oximetry in nursing practice makes a big difference in caring for patients especially post surgeries who are under anesthesia and narcotic medications. This is one such important machine that saves lives.

My First EMR Encounter

It was October 4, 2010, when I first encounter Electronic Medical Record (EMR) in my workplace. The experience was very meaningful to me. During the first few weeks of initiation, all nurses, doctors and CNA's, underwent three day computer courses. Policies and procedures were emphasized and orientation on EHR operation was discussed. After each computer class session, return demonstration with graded evaluation was conducted. On the actual implementation days, the first day I worked was a chaos. Though there were "super users" responsible for helping health workers for EHR, there was not enough help to answer most of the nurses, doctors and CNA's questions. Considering a new hospital electronic system application, EHR was a burden to most health workers. As days past, nurses in different areas started to realize the convenience and benefits of EMR. For most nurses, EMR makes access to patient information a click of a mouse away. Laboratory and radiology results are made fast and handy. It speeds up the admission process in our department and provides more safety to my patients avoiding medical and medication errors. The evaluation of nursing interventions is made more visible through the easy access trends in vital signs, intakes and outputs and electronic documentation of nursing outcomes.

Though most doctors find EMR as waste of time, I find it as an innovative tool that makes my workload now much easier. I can spend more time with my patient, doing bedside care because of faster admission procedure and documentation. EMR is cost effective health approach for my workplace because it gets rid of paper-based charting that is green approach to save trees and US government will provide incentives for facilities using electronic health record. Our hospital participation complies with our nation's plan to implement EMR by 2014.