What is the future of nursing informatics?

The sky is the limit!  Already technology has gone so much further and so much faster than we ever knew it would.  McGonigle, D. & Mastrian, K., authors of Nursing Informatics and the Foundation of Knowledge, state that nursing informatics can “manage and enhance the healthcare data, information, knowledge, and wisdom for the dual betterment of patient care and the nursing profession” (2008, p. 395).  What are some of the ways this can happen? 

I already use my fingerprint to access radiology images and to remove medications from the AccuDose.  Unfortunately, it’s not as reliable as one would hope.  What if retinal scanning was used to access information or supplies that are needed?  This would definitely eliminate the need for passwords that require upper case, lower case, symbols, numbers, and letters!  Anyone else have trouble remembering theirs??  What about call lights with video monitors?  How about using blue tooth capabilities on the floor for a more hands-free approach when needed?  Placing a small chip, with a full health history, in a person’s wrist would surely be helpful in an emergency. 

Undoubtedly, schools and businesses are entering the social networking world.  The hospital I work foe has a Facebook page and it also tweets.  Many hospitals have email accounts for their employees but prevent access from home—I think it would be extremely helpful to be able to do so.  It seems that everyone has a cell phone these days and sending out mass texts to employees with extremely important information would definitely get a message out. 

The future will certainly bring more change and advancement to technology and nursing informatics.  It is best to embrace it and not be left behind!

      McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC.