Emerging Technology Brief

Emerging Technology Brief

Emerging Technology Brief

The healthcare ecosystem requires new processes, systems, models, and products to attain quality care, especially the Quadruple Aim which focuses on better management of health populations, reducing costs, enhancing patient experience and clinician’s welfare. The nursing profession can attain these goals by leveraging emerging technologies to reduce human associated errors (Booth et al., 2021). The purpose of this brief paper is to discuss artificial intelligence as an emerging health technology for nurses and all healthcare providers. The paper contends that through artificial intelligence, healthcare providers, including nurses can overcome barriers in health care delivery.

Overview of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) describes the application of machine learning (ML) algorithms and associated cognitive technologies in healthcare and medical settings. AI entails computers and other machines mimicking human cognition, and are capable of not only learning but also thinking and making decisions and taking necessary actions (Davenport & Kalakota, 2019). Through AI, healthcare providers can analyze and act on patient’s medical data to predict their outcomes. Studies show that AI can transform healthcare and nursing across its different domains that include administration, clinical care, education, policy and research (Buchanan et al. 2021). In his scoping review, Shang (2021) asserts that nurses can leverage AI to enhance patient care as it allows them to analyze data and develop interventions suited to meet patient needs. The use of AI to reduce medical errors through

diagnosis cannot be overemphasized, especially incomplete medical histories as AI can predict and diagnose diseases faster than most medical professionals. Again, studies show that brain-computer interfaces can enhance the quality of life for patient with terminal conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. AI can increase access to care for patients while enhancing overall safety through better data interpretation.

Ethical and Legal Issues concerning AI

The use of AI in nursing and health implores providers to adhere to existing data laws and rules as well as regulations to avoid both ethical and legal violations or breaches. Ethical and legal issues in integrating AI may include privacy and confidentiality of data, adherence to the protected health information rule by the HIPAA act, and overall need to secure data from any intrusion or hacking. These ethical and legal issues are a concern since their violations may lead to inaccurate data and information that can compromise the level of care offered to patients (Booth et al., 2021). For instance, using data on mobile apps and applications pose a legal threat since they can be hacked because of ineffective security measures.

Nurse’s Informatics Role in AI Integration

The informatics nurse plays a critical role in data and information dissemination as well as preparing nurses and the health system in adopting health informatics technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) (Shang, 2021). The utilization of AI is an example of an innovative model that providers and organizations can leverage to improve patient care, especially in mitigating medication errors. Imperatively, the informatics nurse is an expert who advises the organization and assists in setting up systems that incorporates AI technology for quality care and better patient experience (Davenport & Kalakota, 2019). The informatics nurse’s role is to ensure that the facility meets the legal and ethical requirements in deployment of AI. The nurse needs to ascertain that all stakeholders understand their roles and adhere to set standards and protocols.

Workflow Analysis, Human Factors, and User-Centered Design

Workflow analysis, human factors and user-centered designs are essential when integrating artificial intelligence in healthcare in general and nursing in particular. Workflow analysis enables providers to know areas that need improvement and can derive benefits from AI implementation (Secinaro et al., 2021). Human factors like the capacity of employees and possession of abilities and expertise to roll out better technologies allow organizations to leverage the benefits of artificial intelligence. The user-centered concept implores AI to confer benefits to users, especially patients