As Health Care Technology Advances: Benefits and Risks

Abstract

Technology permeates every dimension of critical care. Bedside technology is integral to the assessment and monitoring of patients and to the provision of treatment. It also helps with access to vital information and can enhance commu nication. Although it offers extraordinary benefits to patients and clinicians, technology may also create problems. Our research addresses the wise use of technology in the care of critically ill patients. It examines the appropriate and safe use of technology, its equitable distribution, and the human-machine interface. Given that some devices are more effective and safe than others, it is important to assess the appropriateness of a specific technology in a specific situation. Just because a particular device is available, is it necessary to use it in every possible situation? Do we use it just because it is there? Do we employ "heroic" measures sometimes when it would be kinder not to? Studies on the safe use of technology in patient care lead to a consideration of the risk-benefit ratio. Our research on gender and racial differences in the use of cardiac procedures in patients with acute myocardial infarction focused on the equitable distribution of technology. The results of this line of research, along with those of numerous other studies, suggest possible racism in our health care practices. The human-machine interface, or how clinicians and patients interact with health care technology, is a crucial focus of research. Technology is at the heart of critical care. It allows clinicians to perform miracles, but is also a seductive and self-perpetuating force that needs careful monitoring by those who use it.

Nurse'S Perceptions of Pain Assessment and Pain Managment for Patients with Myocardial Infarction in a Coronary Care Unit

“…Advanced technology influences every aspect of critical care units and it is integral to the assessment and monitoring of patients and the treatment. It also helps to access vital information and enhances data communication (Funk, 2011). Critical care areas provide care for patients who need close observation and special treatment that cannot be provided in general wards.…”

Barbara's story: a thematic analysis of a relative's reflection of being in the intensive care unit

“…'s () study, they found that the integration of technology within nursing care was deemed good for the patient inasmuch that it reduced the need to disturb and unduly stress the patient especially when procedures needed to be undertaken such as blood sampling. Moreover, Price () in her ethnographic study suggested that there was a fine line between prioritizing patient care and attending to the technology, a similar thought found in Funk's () work where being seen as technically competent was the most visible way of demonstrating nursing care.…”

Caring and technology in an intensive care unit: an ethnographic study

“…The importance of being safe and in control was noted by Alasad () and Kiekkas et al (), which links with the theme of vigilance; Burfitt et al () also identified this as important from the patients' perspective as they wanted to feel safe and observed. Using technology to closely observe the patient is still evident today but recognizes that a balance is needed (Funk, ). The role of prioritization and decision‐making as part of vigilance is not evident within the caring and technology literature but this may reflect the growing complexity of critical care practice where there is more focus on evidence‐based approaches.…”

“…This leads to a complex and confusing picture between the aesthetic and practical elements that entwine caring and technology within critical care practice (Burnard and Sandelowski, ). Carnevale () notes that caring is an invisible activity that is difficult to quantify and Funk () says that technology now permeates critical care and wonders if it is always used appropriately.…”