NURS-FPX4040 Assessment 3 | Telehealth Technology

Introduction 

With the advancement in technology, hospitals have adopted various forms of electronic systems in their facilities to improve the safety and quality of care. The technology in health facilities is destined to complement the nursing objective, to assure every patient that they will access the care and get satisfactory results. Telehealth is one of the technologies hospitals have embraced in their operations. It is an approach where care providers use digital information and communication technologies to promote remote access and management of care services. The technology can be used from home or used with physicians to improve or support the healthcare service. The technology involves using mobile phones or other digital devices to store logs, medicines, treating, and blood sugar levels for evaluation by nurses responding electronically. It can also be an app used to monitor the progress of a patient and guide them in their healing journey.

Also Read: Do my NURS FPX 6105 Assessment 1

Annotation

Kayyali, R., Hesso, I., Ejiko, E., & Shereen, N. G. (2017). A qualitative study of telehealth patient information leaflets (TILs): Are we giving patients enough information? BMC Health Services Research, 17  http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2257-5

According to Kayyali, Hesso, Ejiko & Shereen (2017), the provision of patient information leaflets on telehealth is a approach to promote consciousness and implementation of telehealth services. The authors conducted a study to determine whether patients have been given adequate information to guide them in deciding whether to use telehealth technology. The study aims to see how the leaflets on telehealth have portrayed this care technology and explore the patients' insights on the existing telehealth leaflets and their assignation with the idea. The article acknowledges that telehealth technology is a critical development in the healthcare sector. However, the authors appreciate that this technology needs the patients to be aware of everything surrounding the advanced systems and how it can affect or enhance their care services. The study finds that there are certain gaps within the information given to patients regarding telehealth technology. The authors also note the various focus areas that developers need to concentrate on when creating a telehealth system. The article is critical for the topic as it enlightens on the issues associated with this technology and how patients should perceive them. The identified issues include privacy and confidentiality of information which developers need to assure care facilities and patients that these key areas will be well secured.

Zhou, L., Thieret, R., Watzlaf, V., DeAlmeida, D., & Parmanto, B. (2019). A telehealth privacy and security self-assessment questionnaire for telehealth providers: Development and validation. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 11(1), 3-14.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2019.6276

Zhou et al. (2019) note that telehealth is a great tactic to offering a high-quality care service to persons with limited access these services physically. However, the authors present major concerns of this technology concerning security issues surrounding the system's data and information. The article recommends that telehealth care facilities demonstrate that they have measures to secure their patients' information. States have provided the HIPAA audit procedure that the providers need to review and ensure their systems meet every regulation aspect. The article's objective is to advance and authenticate the telehealth privacy and safety self-assessment for the providers. The article is a reminder to the provider that while the technology is efficient in providing quality care, the safety part of the system is still a concern. The information recommends that providers conduct a self-assessment of their telehealth services to determine whether the technology is safe for the patients to share their personal information over the system. The technology-oriented devices are vulnerable to malicious attacks or unauthorized access, putting the patient information at risk. The authors note that the technology is an efficient option for individuals in rural settings.

Martin-Khan, M., Fatehi, F., Kezilas, M., Lucas, K., Gray, L. C., & Smith, A. C. (2015). Establishing a centralised telehealth service increases telehealth activity at a tertiary hospital. BMC Health Services Research, 15

Khan et al. (2015) acknowledge how healthcare access is a challenge for many people living long distances from the city centers and those unable to travel.