NR 512 Week 5 Health IT Topic of Week Assignment

NR 512 Week 5 Health IT Topic of Week Assignment

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-512: Fundamentals of Nursing Informatics

Prof. Name

Date

Telemedicine and Telehealth in Health Care

Introduction

The evolution of healthcare delivery systems is vital to enhancing patient outcomes while ensuring efficiency, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. Chronic illnesses have become increasingly prevalent, with nearly half of the population projected to be affected by 2023. This trend, coupled with a growing shortage of skilled nurses, has strained healthcare systems, leading to longer waiting times and reduced care quality (Weinstein et al., 2014).

To address these issues, telemedicine and telehealth have emerged as essential digital tools that facilitate safe, reliable, and efficient healthcare delivery. These technologies strengthen patient-provider relationships, allow timely diagnoses, and provide remote treatment options that minimize hospital visits (Krupinski & Bernard, 2014). For such systems to function effectively, nurses must possess strong competencies in health informatics and technology. Policymakers and healthcare organizations now increasingly recognize the significance of telemedicine in tackling systemic healthcare challenges. This paper explores the necessity of telemedicine, its influence on nursing practice, the relevance of nursing informatics, and the barriers that impede its integration into modern healthcare.

Need for Telemedicine and Telehealth

Healthcare reforms such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) emphasize improving care quality while minimizing healthcare costs. Accessibility remains a persistent challenge, particularly in rural and underserved regions where emergency or specialized care is often unavailable (Kvedar, Coye, & Everett, 2014). The shortage of nurses further compounds these issues, contributing to emergency room overcrowding and delays in care (Weinstein et al., 2014).

Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) rely extensively on telehealth to collaborate with physicians during emergencies, routine care, and patient follow-ups. Recognizing its potential, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) supports telemedicine as a reliable model for consistent care delivery. Telemedicine tools such as virtual consultations, remote monitoring, electronic prescriptions, and tele-education have now become integral parts of healthcare delivery (Krupinski & Bernard, 2014).

Impact of Telemedicine on Nursing Practice

How does telemedicine influence nursing specialties?

Telemedicine extends into multiple nursing fields, including Telepsychiatry, Teledermatology, Teleophthalmology, Teleoncology, Teleobstetrics, and Telerehabilitation. These specializations enable nurses to participate in both acute and chronic care management. For instance, remote monitoring of vital signs allows nurses to intervene early before complications escalate (Kvedar, Coye, & Everett, 2014).

What role do nurses play in emergencies through telemedicine?

In emergencies, nurses serve as the first line of communication. Through telemedicine, they can promptly link patients with physicians and specialists, facilitating faster interventions that improve survival rates and reduce hospital admissions (Weinstein et al., 2014).

How does telehealth improve long-term care?

Telehealth empowers nurses to:

• Provide patient education and promote self-care.

• Support rehabilitation and recovery at home.

• Monitor chronic conditions to reduce hospital readmissions.

• Decrease healthcare costs through early and timely interventions.

These advancements contribute to lower mortality rates, better chronic disease management, and decreased hospital congestion.

NR 512 Week 5 HealthIT Topic of Week Assignment

Community-based telemedicine initiatives strengthen patient engagement by allowing patients to actively participate in their healthcare. Real-time monitoring, electronic prescribing, and accurate digital documentation contribute to improved patient safety (Krupinski & Bernard, 2014). However, nurses must maintain proficiency in technology and informatics to optimize these benefits.

Table 1

Benefits and Challenges of Telemedicine in Nursing

Tele-ICUs (eICUs) exemplify the impact of telemedicine, with studies showing a 12–30% reduction in mortality and shorter hospital stays. Nonetheless, legal, ethical, and privacy concerns remain critical challenges, requiring nurses to maintain ongoing awareness and compliance with standards.

Nurse’s Informatics Skills and Knowledge

The success of telemedicine relies heavily on technology and data management. Core tools such as Electronic Health Records (EHRs), secure communication systems, and remote monitoring devices enhance continuity and coordination of care. Nurses must demonstrate proficiency in health informatics to:

• Efficiently manage and document patient information.

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare teams across locations.

• Educate patients and families through digital self-care platforms.

• Adhere to state and federal telehealth regulations.

Furthermore, informatics empowers nurses to conduct case studies, apply evidence-based practices, and facilitate effective communication between healthcare professionals. Involving patients’ families in the care process also helps build trust and improve health outcomes (Taylor et al., 2014).

Conclusion

Telemedicine has revolutionized healthcare by improving accessibility, lowering costs, and addressing the ongoing nursing shortage. Its integration into nursing practice has enhanced patient care across diverse specialties, reduced mortality, and encouraged active patient participation. However, privacy concerns, legal complexities, and weakened nurse-patient relationships continue to present obstacles.

By mastering informatics and technology, nurses can adapt to these challenges, ensuring telemedicine’s sustained success. Ultimately, telehealth can mitigate overcrowding, reduce disparities, and provide equitable, patient-centered care across the United States and globally.

References

Krupinski, E., & Bernard, J. (2014). Standards and guidelines in telemedicine and telehealth. Healthcare, 2(1), 74–93. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare2010074

Kvedar, J., Coye, M., & Everett, W. (2014). Connected health: A review of technologies and strategies to improve patient care with telemedicine and telehealth. Health Affairs, 33(2), 194–199. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2013.0992

Taylor, J., Coates, E., Brewster, L., Mountain, G., Wessels, B., & Hawley, M. (2014). Examining the use of telehealth in community nursing: Identifying the factors affecting frontline staff acceptance and telehealth adoption. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 71(2), 326–337. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.12480

Weinstein, R., Lopez, A., Joseph, B., Erps, K., Holcomb, M., Barker, G., & Krupinski, E. (2014). Telemedicine, telehealth, and mobile health applications that work: Opportunities and barriers. The American Journal of Medicine, 127(3), 183–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.09.032