Alessandra Bongiovanni- Module 7

Microchip Could Replace Osteoporosis Shots

By Lara Salahi

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/02/16/microchip-could-replace-osteoporosis-shots/

 

 

For many people who are on medications and that are not used to taking them, can find themselves frustrated this situation.  Sometimes people find themselves where they have forgotten to take them, are fed up with taking them or simple haven't gone to the pharmacy to renew them leaving them in a serious predicament.  Medications, depending on what they are taken for can be life changing if they are not taken and if they are not taken when prescribed. 

 

I found this article interesting because it gives people freedom and allows them to worry less about forgetting their meds.  For patients on injections for a disease such as osteoporosis, it avoids the everyday injections something many people dred. 

 

This article serves as a product review.  This piece of technology is still requiring further testing before it is approved by the FDA, but in the mean time has people excited and hopeful for its release. 

 

The need or issue addressed in this article is the fact that people tend to forget to take their meds on a daily basis leading to a worsening of disease.  The implantable chip serves to be more reliable then the actual individual if of course it is working properly. 

 

This device will certainly prevent diseases from worsening and I believe can be used in the future for other diseases as well.  To have a device inside of you that is programmed to release medication everyday when needed is brilliant especially for the forgetful or uncooperative patient. 

 

If a patient of mine in the hospital were to have a device such as this implanted in them, it would be one less medication the nursing staff would have to administer.  It will certainly help decrease pain and prevent patients from getting worse in their conditions.  

Alessandra Bongiovanni- Module 6

Telemedicine helping ill patients across the north

CBC

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/telemedicine-helping-ill-patients-across-north-182019317.html

 

As we know telemedicine is rapidly growing across the world and not just in the United States.  This article was chosen because this type of technology allows sick individuals suffering from cancer that live in rural or remote areas to still receive care.  With this patients connect to a video network that allows for teleconferncing between them and the doctor.   Another aspect of telemedicine project that is being launched is where nurses and patients meet and the visit is videotaped.  Afterwards, the doctor reviews this tape and from this provides the patient with the plan of care. 

 

This article provides a review on the latest projects that launching in telemedicine.  It addresses the problem of how patients have less access to medicine depending on where they live, but new ways of communicating they can still receive more care then none at all.  With this more patients will be declining care based on where they live. 

 

As expressed in the article 50,000 people accessed medical care through the Ontario Telemedicine Network and I believe can be even higher here in the United States.  As with any part of the world, there are areas here that remote away from healthcare facilities and doctors offices so be able to communicate to a physician using teleconferencing can save individuals the time and discouragement to travel for a routine appointment. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Alessandra Bongiovanni- Module 5

Technology to play a bigger role in hospital care

Amber Dance

Journal Entry #5

http://www.latimes.com/health/future/la-he-future-of-hospitals-20120913,0,779637.story

 

This article was chosen because of its focus on telemedicine.  As mentioned in the article telemedicine is the future of healthcare and will be a dominant force.  This article discusses the advances in technology with the use of robots.  Robots will help patients and nurses and other healthcare personnel stay connected to physicians, which will improve the healthcare delivery system.  With technology, hospital stays can be shorter, safer, and can prevent more infections.  Infection prevention is a major aspect hospital staff try to prevent and biggest and most simplest thing one can do is wash their hands.  The use of electronic ID bands is another form of technology being initiated in which nurses and doctors have to scan themselves everytime they wash their hands and this will determine who is and who is not washing their hands.  This article caught my attention with how far a long healthcare and technology have come along with the use of robots to act as standins for doctors and help deliver care.  It's pretty jaw dropping, but did we expect less from genius minds that surround us. 

The article above is a product description along with opinions of how well these advances are going to influence healthcare from a positive standpoint.  The need addressed is how technology will help hospitals to promote a moder-patient focused approach to healthcare. 

After reading about the use of electronic ID bands for scanning to monitor those who are washing hands in my opinion is a unbelievable and strong approach to infection prevention.  Although this can not be fully trusthworthy because some people may scan their bracelet, but avoid washing their hands.  Although we cannot control the individual, I believe the system will help in monitoring and improving hand washing. 

 

Alessandra Bongiovanni- Module 4

E-Health Opportunities for Seniors

Jane E. Brody

Journal Entry #4

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/08/e-health-opportunities-for-seniors/?ref=thedigitaldoctor

 

           This article was found the NY Times website.  The elderly is one part of the population with the least connection with e-health whether through browsing the internet, using the computer and smartphones to name a few.  For the elderly being having the higher risk for disease and illness, it is very important that they have access to information that can be beneficial to their health.  Being a medical-surgical nurse, the elderly take up a majority of census, which is part of the reason I chose this article and believe I can encourage my own patients to engage in e-health. 

The amount of knowledge on staying healthy that can be found through the internet is incredible.  Although some of it can drive a person crazy or can be misleading if the information is not accurate, one can learn so much.  Since computers and technology are a thing for the younger generations, this new way of life may be scary for an older person.  They can also be costly for devices and for internet access, but there are ways around this because libraries give individuals access to both computers and internet.  I do believe where there is a drive or a will to learn there is a way to do so.  Sometimes for the elderly it is easy to just have a family member do the searching for them, which can be beneficial.  The information can be printed for them to read and learn from. 

The article written by Jane Brody is in fact an opinion.  There is no research related to the article, just view points on the important of e-health for the elderly and also gives pointers on how one can access vital information.  What was addressed in the article is the need for elderly individuals to take part in managing their health records, learning about their health, ways of staying healthy, and so much more one can do with technology. 

            The solution for older persons to take advantage through technology is that now websites and tools are increasingly being designed with the special needs and challenges of the elderly in mind with easy to access links as well. One site that can be used is seniorhealth.gov.  One as mentioned can contact a local library, senior center or other local organization and ask whether it offers computer training for older adults. In areas such as New York City, a nonprofit called Older Adults Technology Services offers free computer labs and computing courses for seniors in English and Spanish.

With this sort of help, our older population can jump on the bandwagon and really get a jump start to staying up to date with their e-health.  Although it will take time, I believe doing so will prove beneficial.  Some of the websites provided in this article I can pass on to my elderly patients at the hospital.  Once they have an understanding of how easy this type of learning can be, numbers would certainly increase and individuals will be amazed on helpful this information can be for them. 

Alessandra Bongiovanni- Module 3

Apps Alert the Doctor When Trouble Looms

By: Matt Richtel

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/08/apps-alert-the-doctor-when-trouble-looms/?ref=thedigitaldoctor

 

Why was this article, blog, post, or multimedia chosen?

While browsing articles in the New York Times website under the Health Tab, this article was one of the first to appear.  The title of the article caught my attention and I thought to myself before I read it, "How can an app really alert a doctor of trouble".  I opened the article and read it through.  The article mentions chronic issues people face with pain, depression, and even PTSD with military soldiers.  Pretty much what the app does is alert doctors when their patients socialization is going down hill and when their chronic illness is going to flare-up.  For example a patient with chronic GI pain may not be going to the mall or going to the gym when they feel their body going into a pain crisis.  Another thing is being a part of the US Army, PTSD is not uncommon and is often seen amongst soldiers.  The app will help identify times of withdrawl and mania right before a PTSD flare-up.

 

What makes it interesting, appropriate, or reputable?

What makes this article or app interesting is the fact that is it working with the patient to catch a crisis before it occurs.  The app can stop a patient suffering from depression from hurting themselves or others. Not really knowing how true or accurate this app can be, the idea of it is very interesting and has caught my attention.

 

 

Is it an opinion? Case study? Research study? Product review?

The article falls under that of a product review of this new application.  Although opinions are mentioned within this text, it does describe the app and where it is being used and tested and describes its purpose.

 

What was the need, problem, issue or trend addressed in the article, blog, post, or multimedia?

The problem addressed in the article is the fact that doctor's do not know when their patients are going downhill or about to go into a crisis and by the time they are alerted it is too late- and they end up having to visit them in the hospital ER.  With this app doctor's can catch something in time before a patient does head for the rabbit hole as mentioned in the article. 

 

What was the solution for which technology had an answer?

The solution for catching a crisis before it occurs is with the use of this app.  The app will monitor a person's behavior and any change in patterns of behavior.  It is an early warning system that can prevent something from occurring. 

 

What implications might this have in healthcare delivery?

This app may be the start of a brilliant system or may be the complete opposite.  I do agree that consent must be obtained to go forth with this, but more testing still needs to be done before launching this app.  The app can be misleading to something as a person just having the flu or just a misinterpretation of their behavior.  If it is used for doctor's to just check-in if they notice a different behavior in their patient, I think it will be very reputable.  I also believe this is a good way for doctor's to stay in contact with their patients through the good and the bad. 

 

 

What did you learn from it that might have application for your practice?

Being a bedside nurse in a hospital this app wouldn't be of  much use for me.  It is something that would be used by doctor's and their patient's in the outpatient setting.  While thinking about this app and this article, an idea came to mind that I wouldn't mind discussing with the class.  I don't know how this can work, but the idea sounds good. 

 



Alessandra Bongiovanni

Module 2

Why tablets are the Future of Electronic Medical Records

By Richard Macmanus

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/electronic-medical-records-emr-save-1-hour-per-day-for-physicians.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+readwriteweb+%28ReadWriteWeb%29

             With health records electronically written, it makes it a step easier for patients those that are technology savvy to access their personal information and for doctors it has become a time saver.  Tablets have become a thing of today with its convenience and its ability to do just about anything that a computer can do.  They are lightweight and easy to carry around making a doctor’s day a little more easy. 

            One of the reasons I chose this article is because my current work facility uses tablets for documentation.  The tablets we used aren’t ipads as mentioned in the article, but they do allow us to access a patient’s chart at any time.  The tablets can be carried anywhere throughout our patient’s rooms allowing for charting to happen on the spot as we see it.  With the use of computers and documentation, if you see something in a patient’s room that needs to be charted you have to walk back to the nurse’s desk to document it whereas with a tablet it can be done right away.  As this pertains to us, the same pertains in doctor’s offices.  Comparing the tablets we have at work to the Ipad, I find the Ipad to be more convenient.  With an Ipad one can download applications more quickly.  The programs used for EMR are provided by a vendor called drchronos. The programs from this vendor can be downloaded onto your Ipad or even Iphone for that matter, is starting to evolve more so in physician’s offices. 

            What makes tablets in healthcare so interesting and reputable is its suitability for the type of work and environment, which healthcare is surrounded by.  The benefits that come with using EMR’s through a tablet is that it improves quality of care, reduces patient’s paperwork, reduces time, and increases operational efficiency.  The article is one based on both opinions and research studies and focuses on a need as well as a trend.  

            As we know the healthcare world is one that is fast-paced and many of us professionals are always on the go.  Being able to have a patient’s healthcare information right before us within something small and compact and can be used by any healthcare professional including nurses.  Although it seems to be taking patient’s a lot longer to jump on this trend in accessing their information, I believe they will not dissatisfied.  I believe it will bring a sense of comfort to these patients who can easily monitor their health.  Sometimes information that is relayed from doctors can be misunderstood or forgotten, but having the ability to access this information on their own will be very suitable for them as well. 

            As mentioned my current facility uses a type of tablet for documentation, but if it were up to me I’d have them all thrown away and have the facility purchase Ipads.   Although that cannot be at the current time with budgeting, I do hope in time we do upgrade to Ipads.  I have become very comfortable with the use of Apple products and find them to be easy to use and have yet to come upon any glitches.  As comfortable as they have become for me, I believe the same can occur for doctors and patients.    

 

Alessandra Bongiovanni Module 1

How Smartpohones Are Facilitating Better Health Care

By Tara Culp-Ressler

Think Progress

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/09/27/923021/smartphones-better-health-care/

 

 

As we all know smartphones is one material item many of us cannot live without.  There is a good percentage of us that own a smartphone and us it in our work setting to either look up a disease or a particular medication and of course for other health-related information.  Being a person with an honest addiction to their smartphone, I find it amazing that you can download an application at the touch of button and instantly have thousands of bits of information with regards to medicine and healthcare.  As noted in the article, mHealth is helping to improve healthcare.  What makes mHealth great is that it provides non-medical professionals with access to these applications as well.  Individuals are able to keep track of the blood pressure, pregnancy, and research just about anything in healthcare.  Just the other day I downloaded an application called MapMyRun and for someone who is into excersing or needs to exercise it maps the distance you run, walk, or bike and it provides the speed at which are traveling and even gives information on nutrition.  An application that is so simple does so much for the person who is looking to get in shape and eat healthy. 

 

The article chosen is based on researched information found through Allied Health World discussing the rise of mobile applications to manage health.  The article addresses a trend in healthcare today with the use of technology through our smartphones and accessing medical information.  Due to the fact that there seems to be many applications available understanding which ones are accurate and able to trusted is vital.  With this in mind, the solution to this is that the FDA is now involved and has provided guidelines that need to be met before an application is accessible to consumers.  When it comes to our health, no one wants to be given misleading or false information and the fact that the FDA has taken control of what information is released is great. 

 

At the current time, smartphones are my current place of work are not allowed, but as mentioned they are used to access information that we can use in our practice and provide to our patients.  With that, I believe that hospitals and all kinds of health facilities should allow health professionals to access this information whenever needed.  There are other means of accessing these applications and that can be through the use of tablets as well.  If smartphones are to remain unallowed, then providing workers with a tablet can prove to be very helpful.  Working in an acute-care setting, I witness doctors and other practitioners on their phones attempting to access medical information and I don't believe they should be the only ones allowed to do so.  We as healthcare providers are in between important information that we are keeping from our patients who do not have access to a tablet or smartphone or the internet for that matter and such important information can change someone's life for the better.  With that, I believe that the use of smartphones at work can be more than beneficial for the practitioner and the patient.