Introduction
The healthcare sector is experiencing considerable transformations due to the inception of Artificial Intelligence. And, AI is no longer a futuristic concept, it has revolutionized the healthcare landscape with the latest innovations and advancements. Nurses, being the backbone of patient care delivery, are prone to exciting changes, by streamlining workflows and empowering them to deliver exceptional patient care. They must be prepared to adapt to new artificial intelligence nursing technologies and use it in their day-to-day practice.
Let us explore how AI is changing the nursing domain and its profound impact in providing patient care in this blog
Why AI in Nursing Domain?
The term “Artificial Intelligence” refers to the simulation of human intelligence by computers. It can analyse data, recognize data patterns, and make decisions quickly with less human intervention.
Artificial intelligence nursing practices have become increasingly popular in automating day-to-day nursing tasks. However, they are used to assist in- Patient monitoring, Predictive analytics, Virtual Nursing Assistants, Electronic Health Record, Robotic Process Automation, and Smart wearables for vital signs monitoring
Impact of AI on Nursing and Patient Care
1. Patient Monitoring
The good old traditional patient monitoring requires manual tracking of the patient’s vital signs. It is time-consuming and tends to commit human error. However, with the inception of AI in nursing, patient monitoring can be automated by data collection and analysis.
AI smart monitoring systems help to:
- Track patient vital signs
- Alert nurses during emergencies
- Detect variances in oxygen levels and heartbeat rates
AI-enabled devices, such as smartwatches, can be used to monitor patient’s vital signs at home, which can further be used to send data directly to healthcare providers. Thus, with AI nurses remote patient monitoring reduces hospital visits unless it is an emergency and enhances early intervention.
2. Streamlining Administrative Tasks
The emergence of artificial intelligence nursing practices has made it possible to streamline various day-to-day tasks of nurses and administrative tasks, such as scheduling, documentation, and data entry. This frees up valuable time for nurses, further allowing them to focus on patient care and other priority critical tasks.
AI tools can be used to:
- Optimize staffing to provide efficient patient care
- EHR automation
- Summarizes conversation with patients and extracts the essential data to form reports
- Generate patient education materials modified to individual patient needs
- Handle billing, faster claims, ensures accuracy, and reduce errors
- Simplify day-to-day tasks through implementing Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Above mentioned tasks reduce paperwork, administrative tasks, and ensure nurses spend more time delivering exceptional patient care.
3. Clinical Decision Making
AI nurses must ensure to make clinical decisions regularly, and these decisions have a greater impact on the patient’s recovery and their wellness.
AI-powered tools/systems analyse medical data, considering patient medical history to lab results. And, it generates recommendations to help patients and doctors make informed decisions.
Example:
- AI-powered tools provide evidence-based recommendations and alert nurses about patient vital signs during potential complications.
- Predictive analysis assesses the chances of risks before the symptoms become visible, like cardiac arrest.
4. Improves Patient Experience
AI in nursing, allows to develop stronger relationships between patients, delivers empathetic care. AI handles the repetitive tasks of nurses and allows them to focus on critical tasks that require human compassion and critical thinking.
AI powered tools, such as chatbots, wearables, and digital records help to create a seamless journey for patients from admission to discharge. This approach reduces waiting time for the patients and significantly improves overall patient satisfaction.
5. Robotic Assistance in Nursing
The presence of robotic assistance in nursing helps nurses by taking their physically demanding tasks. It reduces burnout, fatigue, workplace injuries, while freeing up time for complex patient care.
AI powered robots help to:
- Delivering medications, managing inventory, and sanitizing rooms.
- Provides physical support, such as help with heavy lifting, assisting patients with mobility, and repositioning patients.
- Performs tasks like drawing blood with utmost precision and reduce medication errors
Overall, AI powered robots increase overall efficiency of the hospital and allow the nurses to provide compassionate patient care.
6. Personalized Treatment
AI in nursing considers patient medical history, genetics, and allergies, and recommends personalized treatment plans accordingly. And, it ensures the patient receives treatments and medication tailored to their specific health condition.
Challenges of Implementing AI in Nursing and Patient Care
Despite the full potential of AI in healthcare, it also comes with several challenges that must be addressed ahead of time.
1. Data Security and Privacy
Concerns about the confidentiality of patient’s sensitive data.
2. Ethical Concerns
Questions may arise regarding, “Who will be held accountable, if AI systems happen to commit a mistake”?
3. Over-reliant on Technology
Excessive relying on AI technology can reduce human judgment capability and empathetic nature. Nurses often struggle to find a proper balance between their own judgment and these AI technologies.
4. Higher costs
Implementing AI technologies and the required infrastructure can be expensive, especially for smaller healthcare organizations.
Skills Required for Nurses to Thrive in AI Environment
Existing and next-gen nurses are capable of working efficiently with AI technologies. It is essential to have the essential technical and non-technical skills required to work in a dynamic healthcare environment.
Here are the list of skills required for nurses to thrive in AI environment:
- Technical skills for operating AI tools
- Critical thinking
- Adapting to latest technologies
- Continuous learning
- Prioritize patient-centered care
- Overcoming the resistance to change
- Data literacy and analytical skills
Future of AI in Nursing in India
The future of AI in healthcare depends on how efficiently AI and humans collaborate. As AI in nursing continues to evolve, its role in the healthcare domain goes beyond strategic decision making and personalized treatments.
With the surging demand for technological advancements and a rising need for skill development, various nursing key trends in India are shaping the future of the healthcare domain. Here are a few to know:
- Automated documentation
- Telehealth
- Personalized medicine
- Robotics
- Automation and Efficiency
- Wearable Integration
In the future, the presence of AI in nursing becomes an integral part of nursing practice. It acts as a powerful partner for improving their abilities and not as a replacement for nurses.
Conclusion
AI has revolutionized patient care and nursing by focusing on accuracy, efficiency, and improved patient outcomes. While only time can predict what the future holds for AI in the nursing domain. From robotic assistance to clinical decision making, applications of AI in nursing are diverse and are continuing to expand for greater advancements.
By embracing the benefits of AI in nursing and tackling its challenges, nurses can continue to deliver exceptional patient care.
As we move ahead in an AI centered healthcare system, nurses need to update themselves to the latest technologies in the workplace, using them to optimize their work and in providing patient care.
