Nursing has changed significantly over the past ten years. Thanks to technology and innovation, nurses are in a better position to take care of their patients. The tools and resources at their disposal allow them to make patients as comfortable as possible.
No one wants to end up in the hospital, but illness hasn't yet been completely phased off. Even with the available vaccines for common illnesses, there are still viruses, germs, and disease-causing bacteria that manage to get into our bodies.
The healthcare industry today is in a better position than it was ten years ago. Nurses use new measures to ensure you're cured of your illness much faster. This also means that the nursing job has been made easier. These professionals longer face the same challenges they did in the past.
If you're pursuing a nursing course, rest assured that you get the opportunity to interact with new technologies in the healthcare sector. Before then, ensure you keep up with your academic performance. Make sure you do your best with each nursing assignment because they contribute to your overall performance.
1. Automated IV Pumps
In the past, it was upon the nurses to control the drips patients get through IV pumps. This manual method used to result in several overdose cases. The new automated IV pumps control the drop dosage without the nurse having to check the levels all the time. Patients are now in safer hands because they don't have to worry about overdosing on a lethal drug.
Thanks to technology, the right medical technology has been invented to notify nurses when they need to change a patient's medication. The beauty of these automated IV pumps is that they can also be used to give patients meals, so they don't stay hungry. There are several illnesses that render patients unable to eat on their own.
2. Portable Monitors
The second notable nursing innovation in the medical field is the portable monitor, which allows nurses to check on their patients regardless of where they are. Since nurses are always on the move, these monitors make their life easier. A nurse doesn't have to move from one ward to another to check on a patient's progress.
As a nurse, you can easily check on critical patients while you take care of another one. Nurses need to be able to multi-task because this profession is demanding. You also have to be compassionate because your patients are always going to need you.
Some of the vital signs the portable monitor indicates include:
Respiratory rate
Oxygen saturation
ECG
3. Smart Beds
Smart beds are amazing innovations because they can help nurses track the weight of each patient without asking them to step on a weighing machine. The bed also keeps the nurse updated on a patients vitals.
Smart beds ensure that all patients are comfortable and safe. Some patients may need to stay in the hospital for several days. A comfortable bed ensures they get bed rest without walking out of the hospital with a painful back.
A safe bed can hold a patient's weight and ensure they don't end up on the floor. A simple fall can result in an unforeseen bone fracture.
4. Wearable Devices
Wearable devices allow nurses to communicate with each other within a healthcare facility. Communication within hospitals is essential because timely communication allows nurses to save lives. These wearable devices come in handy in case of an emergency.
Conclusion
Nursing is a noble profession because nurses have to go out of their way to take care of many patients at the same time. Technological innovation in the medical field ensures that nurses have an easy time keeping each patient safe and comfortable.
