MAKING HEALTH CARE SAFE - Article Example

MAKING HEALTH CARE SAFE In this era of globalization there has been an increasing call for improved quality of healthcare provision. Various scholars and researchers are engaged in generating ideas on possible quality healthcare provision approaches. One aspect of this issue is the need to incorporate information and communication technology in the administration of healthcare services. In this regard Gibson and Sigh champion for increased use of technology through the concept of nursing informatics to minimize errors made when handling patients (Gibson & Singh, 2003).

Their assertion on the significance of nursing informatics is relevant to the contemporary campaign for improved quality healthcare. Using of computers and other communication devices like tablets is gaining popularity in recording vital information on diagnosis, prescription and general recovery progress of the patient. This is equally important in helping healthcare officer to communicate and exchange ideas on the most appropriate ways to minimize mistakes on patient care. Use of modern technology in observing the various changes in patient condition like pulse rate, blood pressure among others have helped reduce cases of misdiagnosis and improve the speed, timeliness and accuracy of patient charting.

In the next 10 years there is a brighter future in health system safety and technology as far as patient care and elimination of errors are concerned. Nursing practice is likely to shift much dependence on informatics as an integral part of the quality healthcare improvement policy. This means that as a nurse, one will have to emphasize on the recording and analysis of data concerning the health history of the patient for sound decision making when it comes to critical situations. Communication techniques is likely to take Centre stage in the future nursing practice as this is critical in reducing widespread cases of mistakes that have cost patients their lives in the hands of healthcare providers.

There is an increasing training of nurses on how to collect data and record electronically for use in analysis the progress of the patient towards recovery so that interventionary decisions may be done with accuracy and precision. Reliance on data and information will improve co-ordination of various healthcare provision activities which sets stage for an increased technology based nursing practices.The assertion of Gibson and Singh concerning the improved application of informatics in the current healthcare provision holds.

The cases of mistakes when caring for the patients currently attracts heavy legal punishment and this has pushed for need to be accountable when providing health services. It is in this regard that it has become important to mitigate flaws in the patient care process hence increased call for embracing technological advancement in safety health provision. Safety and quality in healthcare can be compared to the aviation industry where there is zero room for mistakes (Gibson & Singh, 2003). The underlying concept towards this minimal error is due to the significant computerized operation and control of the flight “Forward-thinking hospitals are trying to reduce the chances that medical mistakes occur, and while their efforts won’t eliminate mistakes they will make it more difficult for errors to happen” (pg.171). This is the case with several healthcare facilities where modern technology in communication and computer science is gaining more application in patient health related decisions.

ReferenceGibson, R., & Singh, J. P. (2003). Wallofsilence: The untold story of the medical mistakes that kill and injure millions of Americans. Washington, D.C: LifeLine Press.