The advent of technology in the medical world has transformed the way nurses and health professionals carry out their work.

A new LinkedIn survey reveals that 82% of health professional respondents agree that new technology and health innovations will have a positive impact on patient care. With the exception of a few innovations, like with artificial intelligence, most emerging technologies related to nursing have seen overwhelming support.

As populations continue to age and nursing shortages maintain their trend, nurses, clinics, and hospitals will be relying more and more on technological innovations to pick up the gaps in patient care.

Below are some of the most exciting emerging technologies in nursing.

Emerging Technology in Nursing

Bioprinting Technology

3D printing has come a long way for the medical world. With bioprinting, hospitals can print solid objects from living human tissue that can be used in several different ways. The objects are made of various materials including liquid metals, polymers, ceramics, or living cells.

Here are some of the most innovative usages in bioprinting:

  • With the use of stem cell bioink, medical professionals can use living human tissue to mitigate shortages of organs for life-saving transplants.
  • Drug testing and research development centers are using 3D bioprinted organs as models for research.
  • 3D printers are being used to create FDA approved drugs for patients in need.
  • Researchers and labs are finding it much easier to conduct further studies on diseases and molecular research with the help of testing models made with 3D printed human tissue cells.
  • As 3D printing continues to grow, hospitals and labs will have greater and quicker access to printed drugs, organs, and other necessary items.

Electronic Health Records

Electronic health records (EHR) are becoming a ubiquitous commonplace in clinics and hospitals around the country. Electronic health records allow nurses to update and retrieve patient information in an instant, providing them with the tools to acquire the necessary information on a patient at a moment’s notice.

The greatest benefits, aside from the convenience that a digital platform provides, include a decrease in medical errors, higher rates of quality care and satisfaction, and an overall more accurate and efficient system.

On top of increased efficiency, EHR systems encourage transparency. When updates are made, they become accessible to other nurses, doctors, care teams, and patients when appropriate or necessary.

Smart Beds

With smartphones, smart tv’s, smart cars, and smart houses, it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise that the medical world would soon integrate smart beds. Smart beds can track weight, vitals, and a patient’s movements. Because of the several dangers that patients face, even when monitored in a hospital, smart beds will become an integral part of every hospital in the near future.

Smart beds provide constant notifications and allow nurses to monitor patients anytime, anywhere. With the number of patient falls and injuries in hospitals, smart beds should help to allay in-house injuries and boost convenience for both patients and nurses.

Additionally, reviews for smart beds have been overwhelmingly positive since their emergence to the medical scene. 41% of users in the LinkedIn study reported having a positive experience with smart beds while only 12% had negative reviews.

Health Apps and Telehealth

Telehealth and medical apps are changing the way that patients interact with their doctors and nurses. Patients and clinic members have the opportunity to video chat with doctors or nurses before coming in, providing them with valuable information prior to making a visit.

Health apps are also making it increasingly easier for both patients and doctors prior to check-in. Patients can fill out check-in forms and provide their medical staff with important data, allocating more time during their on-site visit with their doctors rather than processing tedious information.

By allowing patients to contact medical staff and doctors prior to visiting, health apps reduce unnecessary and costly visits to their clinics.

Nurse Staffing Apps

Technological innovations aren’t just making things easier for patients and clinics, they’re making things easier for nurses. With gaps emerging in several hospitals, Medley allows nurses to book per diem shifts according to their own schedules, and allows facilities to find nurses as easy as calling an Uber.

Medely is transforming the staffing space for nursing and healthcare positions. Increase your pay, flexibility, and control with Medley. Empower your position as a healthcare professional and facility and sign up for Medely today.