Executive Summary: Use of Computer Tablets
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: USE OF COMPUTER TABLETS
Introduction
The present world has advanced in technology, and this modern technology has made what was once thought impossible to be deemed possible (Spekowius & Wendler, 2006). Healthcare sector has not been left behind. Some technologies if adopted in the healthcare, they can significantly improve the quality of healthcare. Precisely, the use of computer tablets by nurses is an important step in improving the quality of care (Hanson, 2006). Computer tablets are palm-held computer-like devices that nurses can move with around the hospital, and they are connected to the internet and can also store data. They are helpful in entering patient information and accessing online information. Therefore, the executive summary in this paper focuses on the use of computer tablets among nurses.
Executive Summary: Use of Computer Tablets
The purpose of this program is to improve nursing care and patients’ health outcomes by enabling nurses to enter and retrieve vital patient information easily and at any location within the hospital (Spekowius & Wendler, 2006). With the use of a computer tablet, the nurse will be able to access the patient’s laboratory results without necessarily going to collect them at the laboratory. In addition, the nurse will also be able to enter patient’s vital details at any place. In general, the computer tablets will reduce the movement of nurses from one point to another. The time saved can be directed towards bedside care (Hanson, 2006).
Target Population
Registered nurses are the target population. Nurses spend a lot of time moving around the wards. They have to walk to the different wards and units of the hospital to collect vital information they need. In the end, this kind of movements consumes a good portion of their shift's time (Kenney & Dumm, 2010). Hence, there is a need to reduce such movements in order to direct that time to other areas of care. The only way to reduce the time wasted is through the use of computer tablets (Hanson, 2006).
Benefits of the program
The use of computer tablets is associated with a number of benefits. Firstly, the program will save the time nurses use in moving around the hospital in their course of duty (Hanson, 2006). It is part of the responsibilities for the nurses to walk into patients’ wards and other facilities in the hospital collecting vital information. After collecting the information, they are expected to enter it into the hospital data system (Kenney & Dumm, 2010). These movements consume a lot of time and are also physically demanding. Therefore, the computer tablets will enable nurses; for instance, access the laboratory results of the patient at the patient’s ward using the computer tablet, without necessarily collecting them from the hospital laboratory (Hanson, 2006).
In addition, tablet computers will help nurses in accessing latest information on the care. With computer tablets, the nurse will access online details on patient assessment, diagnosis, and nursing interventions among others (Spekowius & Wendler, 2006). Therefore, the nurse will be equipped with the latest knowledge on delivery of healthcare. The hospital administration will use the computer tablets to pass important information to nurses (Kenney & Dumm, 2010). The nurse manager, for instance, can send the nurses notices regarding certain meeting and new policies in the healthcare settings. Hence, the use of notice boards as a means of communication in the hospital will be greatly minimized (Hanson, 2006).
Budget
The average cost of one computer tablet is $ 500. Therefore, given the number of nurses in the hospital, the implementation of the program will require around US$ 40,000 to purchase the tablets and educate nurses on their usage (Kenney & Dumm, 2010).
Basis for Evaluation
After successful implementation of the project, the nurses will have more time for offering bedside care. Therefore, we expect the duration the nurse uses in giving bedside care to increase significantly (Hanson, 2006). The communication between nurses and the hospital management is expected to be more efficient. The nurse managers can communicate with the nurses through emails and so forth. In most aspects, this will reduce the number of meetings between nurses and nurse managers (Spekowius & Wendler, 2006).
The nurses will also easily access online resources. The nurses will be able to access online nursing journals and other materials from where they can get updated of the recent nursing research. Hence, after implementation of this program, we expect nurses to be updated of the latest developments in nursing (Hanson, 2006).
Conclusion
In this executive summary, we have focused on the use of computer tablets among nurses. Nurses should be each allocated a computer tablet. The purpose is to reduce the time nurses waste moving around the hospital while collecting and entering vital information. The nurses are the target population. Through the use of computer tablets, it will be easier to communicate with the management of the hospital. The nurses are also able to enrich themselves by updating themselves on the latest developments in nursing. Additionally, the nurse will have more time for offering bedside care. The program is expected to cost about thirty thousand dollars. The basis for evaluation will be increased the number of hours that nurses use in bedside care, effective communication between nurse managers and nurses and nurses being updated of the latest developments in nursing.
References
Hanson, C. W. (2006). Healthcare informatics. New York: McGraw-Hill, Medical Pub. Division.
Kenney, K. L., & Dumm, B. C. (2010). Nurses at work. Edina, Minn.: Magic Wagon.
Spekowius, G., & Wendler, T. (2006). Advances in healthcare technology are shaping the future of medical care. Dordrecht: Springer.
