NR 447 Week 7 Discussion

NR 447 Week 7 Discussion

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-447: RN Collaborative Healthcare

Prof. Name:

Date

Advantages of Using Company Devices for Professional Communication

Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets are increasingly common in healthcare settings, offering several advantages for healthcare professionals. Ventola (2014) notes that healthcare systems are often spread across multiple locations, including clinics, inpatient wards, outpatient services, and laboratories. Mobile devices, functioning like handheld computers, provide access to numerous apps that assist professionals with various tasks, such as communication, accessing health records, patient monitoring, and clinical decision-making.

In my opinion, mobile devices offer significant advantages by serving as point-of-care tools that enhance communication and improve patient outcomes. However, in my facility, cellphones are not provided to floor nurses, except for supervisors. The only mobile device available for nurses is for wound care purposes. This device includes a specialized application for wound measurements. Access to the app requires a secure login, and it lists patient-specific wound details. After cleansing the wound, I take a photo for measurement purposes, though depth and undermining must be manually entered. Once saved, the image is automatically deleted, with only the wound’s measurements and location transferred to the patient’s electronic medical record (EMAR).

While this process is secure, concerns about potential confidentiality breaches remain. Adhering to privacy protocols, such as not sharing passwords, locking the screen when not in use, and ensuring the device is not left unattended, is crucial. In my limited experience, this device is practical and safe for wound care documentation. I also ensure transparency with patients by explaining the method and showing them the images to build trust.

Disadvantages of Using Company Devices for Professional Communication

Despite their benefits, using company devices also has disadvantages. A primary concern is that using a mobile device while caring for a patient may appear unprofessional. Patients might not be able to distinguish whether the device is being used for work-related tasks or personal matters. Additionally, they may perceive it as a sign of insufficient clinical knowledge. Another drawback is the potential for distraction caused by answering phone calls or navigating the device during patient care. Furthermore, cellphones can act as vectors for nosocomial infections, presenting a risk to patient safety.

Preference Between Personal and Company Devices

If I were the agency, I would choose company devices exclusively for work-related tasks during work hours. Using personal devices for professional communication may create a sense of obligation among nurses to remain available at all times, even outside work hours. This can lead to potential confidentiality breaches, especially if sensitive information is accessed in non-private settings, such as public areas or at home. Dedicated company devices ensure better security, professional boundaries, and compliance with privacy protocols.

Table Representation

References

Ventola, C. L. (2014). Mobile devices and apps for health care professionals: uses and benefits. P & T: A Peer-Reviewed Journal for Formulary Management, 39(5), 356–364.

NR 447 Week 7 Discussion

Yoon, S. Oh, J., Yeon, J. J., Ens, T. A., & Mannion, C. A. (2017). A review of the effect of nurses’ use of smartphones to improve patient care. Journal of Undergraduate Research in Alberta, 6.