Learn some strategies to deal with the disruption caused by new technology in your nursing workflow. Find out how to assess, seek, adapt, and monitor the new technology.

Take a step back. What problem were we trying to solve with the software implementation? Did we solve it and this is a byproduct of the implementation or did we miss the mark? I think first assessing the situation (IT going in) with big eyes, big ears, little mouth is important. Document the findings. Prepare a plan of attack. Incorporate as much end user feedback as you possibly can. If it's really impacting patient care, STOP THE LINE or engage risk management. Technology should bring joy and efficiency; if it doesn't, the operational team wasn't ready to adopt it and we need to re-engage with IT, informatics, and operations as a unit/team.

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Nursing

What do you do if new technology is disrupting your nursing workflow?

New technology can be a blessing or a curse for nurses, depending on how well it integrates with their existing workflow. If you find yourself struggling to adapt to new devices, software, or systems, you are not alone. Many nurses face similar challenges and frustrations when they have to learn new skills, follow new protocols, or deal with technical glitches. However, there are some strategies that can help you cope with the disruption and make the most of the new technology. Here are some tips to help you navigate the transition and improve your nursing workflow.

1 Assess the benefits and drawbacks

Before you reject or embrace the new technology, take some time to evaluate its pros and cons. How does it affect your efficiency, quality, safety, and satisfaction? Does it solve a problem or create a new one? Does it align with your goals and values? Does it support your communication and collaboration with other health professionals? By weighing the benefits and drawbacks, you can identify the areas where the new technology can help you and the areas where it can hinder you.

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Edward Cotter

Retired
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Just because the software is different, doesn't make it better or worse than other systems. What slants our assessment is familiarity with one versus the other. We need to evaluate after proficiency has been obtained to have a true system comparison.

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Taíse Olliveirah

Mentoria de Carreira na saúde | Planejamento Estratégico | Desenvolvimento Humano | Alavanque seu potencial e destaque-se no mercado com um planejamento sólido!
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Se uma nova tecnologia estiver interrompendo meu fluxo de trabalho de enfermagem, eu buscaria entender completamente como essa tecnologia está destinada a melhorar os processos e a prestação de cuidados de saúde. Em seguida, eu identificaria as áreas específicas em que a tecnologia está causando interrupções e trabalharia em colaboração com a equipe de tecnologia e outros profissionais de saúde para resolver esses problemas.

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Taíse Olliveirah

Mentoria de Carreira na saúde | Planejamento Estratégico | Desenvolvimento Humano | Alavanque seu potencial e destaque-se no mercado com um planejamento sólido!
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Isso poderia envolver treinamento adicional para a equipe, ajustes na implementação da tecnologia ou até mesmo feedback para os desenvolvedores a fim de melhorar a usabilidade e a integração da tecnologia no ambiente de cuidados de saúde, garantindo que ela realmente beneficie o fluxo de trabalho da equipe e, principalmente, a qualidade do cuidado ao paciente.

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Cary Vanley

Cardiology Upgrades
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Technology is always advancing and improving patient care, so you have to continue to have your nurses and techs learn how to use the newest technology because it equates to better patient care.

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2 Seek training and support

One of the main reasons why new technology can disrupt your nursing workflow is the lack of adequate training and support. If you feel unprepared, unsure, or overwhelmed by the new technology, don't hesitate to ask for help. Seek out opportunities to learn from experts, mentors, peers, or online resources. Ask questions, clarify doubts, and practice until you feel confident and comfortable. Also, look for support from your managers, colleagues, and patients. Share your feedback, concerns, and suggestions. Express your needs and expectations. Build trust and rapport with the people who are involved in the implementation and use of the new technology.

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Edward Cotter

Retired
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Too many people expect to be able to utilize software OOB (out of box). Truth is, EMR software can be a challenge to use without training and support. We need to understand that. Training is vital to anything we do. Without training, we get garbage in and garbage out.

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Cary Vanley

Cardiology Upgrades
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The basics of nursing will always be there and it all revolves around the patient. If the programs we use seem too complicated, it only means more training and explanation of why we are using these newer programs. You never stop learning and it takes discipline to continue your education and learning new systems and new techniques.

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3 Adapt and customize

Another way to cope with the disruption caused by new technology is to adapt and customize it to your needs and preferences. You may not have control over the design or functionality of the new technology, but you may have some flexibility to adjust its settings, features, or options. For example, you may be able to change the layout, color, font, or sound of a new software. You may also be able to create shortcuts, templates, or alerts to make your tasks easier and faster. By adapting and customizing the new technology, you can make it more user-friendly and compatible with your workflow.

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Casey Bryson
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Take a step back. What problem were we trying to solve with the software implementation? Did we solve it and this is a byproduct of the implementation or did we miss the mark? I think first assessing the situation (IT going in) with big eyes, big ears, little mouth is important. Document the findings. Prepare a plan of attack. Incorporate as much end user feedback as you possibly can. If it's really impacting patient care, STOP THE LINE or engage risk management. Technology should bring joy and efficiency; if it doesn't, the operational team wasn't ready to adopt it and we need to re-engage with IT, informatics, and operations as a unit/team.

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4 Monitor and evaluate

Finally, you can improve your nursing workflow by monitoring and evaluating the impact of the new technology. Keep track of your performance, productivity, and outcomes. Compare them with your previous or expected results. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the new technology. Recognize the achievements and challenges you have faced. Learn from your mistakes and successes. Seek feedback from others and provide feedback to the developers or providers of the new technology. By monitoring and evaluating the new technology, you can measure its effectiveness and efficiency, and make informed decisions about its future use.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if new technology is disrupting your nursing workflow?

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2

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1 Assess the benefits and drawbacks

2 Seek training and support

3 Adapt and customize

4 Monitor and evaluate

5 Here’s what else to consider

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