Perspective : A Nurse's Take on the Role of Healthcare Technology Management

Abstract

As the presence and purpose of technology in the hospital becomes larger and more critical to healthcare delivery, so does the interaction between healthcare technology management (HTM) and nursing. The silos containing information technology (IT) and nursing are dissolving into a more collaborative community where HTM professionals can view themselves more accurately as “co-caregivers” alongside nurses and other clinicians. As this self-perception changes, HTM decisions more naturally will reflect an awareness of how technology can enhance patient care. There is a direct correlation between an efficient flow of patient care and the improvement of patient outcomes, patient/ family satisfaction, and working conditions. Technology is a key to enabling a seamless workflow, but it must become a team effort. The nursing function depends on the skills and knowledge of HTM professionals to deploy technologies that offer improvement in workflow, diagnostics, treatment, and recovery, but the feedback from nursing to HTM is fundamental to the success of any technology. HTM leadership must be aware of the impact that new deployments have on clinical work flow, and this awareness is transferred through a much closer working relationship with nurses and other clinicians. A partnership mentality between HTM professionals, such as clinical engineers and biomedical equipment technicians (BMETS), and nurses is the way of the future. HTM professionals are more likely at present to see themselves in a technical role, making sure that medical devices and technology are functioning properly. They aren’t as likely to see themselves as “co-caregivers,” on the frontline with nurses, physicians, and other caregivers, directly interacting with patients and thinking, “How can I tap my specific skills to improve the outcome for this patient?” Typically, HTM professionals focus on the technology and allow clinicians to focus on patient care. To achieve a truly optimized care environment, this mentality must shift so that HTM professionals sees themselves alongside other caregivers, recognizing that the tools they deploy are just as critical to success as the care delivered by nurses. As this paradigm shift takes place, hospitals may see changes in the ways that HTM and nursing interact. Two examples of a changed interaction follow. 1. Hospitals may establish a process by which new technology is introduced, either by HTM professionals or nurses, in a collaborative PERSPECTIVE A Nurse’s Take on the Role of Healthcare Technology Management