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  • Nursing in the digital age 2023: Using technology to support patients in the home (QNI, 6 February 2023)


    Patient-Safety-Learning
    • UK
    • Reports and articles
    • Pre-existing
    • Original author
    • No
    • The Queen's Nursing Institute
    • Everyone

    Summary

    This report by The Queen's Nursing Institute presents the findings of a survey of community nurses (also known as district nurses) conducted in 2022 to look at how digital technologies are used in community nursing. The survey found that:

    • 43.1% respondents reported problems with lack of compatibility between different computer systems, compared to 32.7% in 2017
    • 87% respondents reported issues with mobile connectivity, compared to 85% in 2017
    • 53%.respondents reported problems with device battery life, compared to 29.5% in 2017

    The report concludes that overall, the community nursing workforce has a high level of digital literacy and that poor user experience frequently appears to be around design and function rather than a lack of literacy or enthusiasm for technology. The workforce also has an appetite for high functioning technology and can see the potential of new applications, for example, in managing wound care or long-term conditions.

    Content

    Recommendations

    • Technology that is obsolete should be replaced with up-to-date models by employers. The cost of using obsolete devices in terms of lost time and efficiency is likely to far outweigh the cost of purchasing new hardware.
    • Nurses should be consulted at an early stage in the choice of hardware for use in community settings to ensure that it is appropriate and safe for its designated use.
    • Companies that design mobile devices should be called upon to improve future designs of those used by the community nursing workforce, actively seeking nursing feedback.
    • Nurses should be involved at an early stage in the design and development of software programmes that they will use as part of their everyday work.
    • Healthcare provider organisations, commissioners and policy makers should undertake national, regional and local reviews of WiFi internet connectivity in all areas where their services are delivered and understand how this is directly impacting on the work of nurses delivering care in people’s homes and communities.
    • Healthcare services and supporting organisations could usefully campaign for improved internet connectivity and ask for increased investment by mobile phone operators and government.
    • Scheduling tools and related apps should always be designed, developed and used in a manner that is consistent with the nursing process, professional judgement and autonomy, personalised care and patient need.
    • All healthcare providers should have a nurse who is appropriately experienced and skilled to lead on the use of digital technology within the organisation.
    Nursing in the digital age 2023: Using technology to support patients in the home (QNI, 6 February 2023) https://qni.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Nursing-in-the-Digital-Age-2023.pdf
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