Discussion 5.1: Community Meaning and Technological Competency

Technology in Nursing Care

        Technology is always evolving, this includes healthcare. There are many positives to technology in nursing, but there are still some negatives to this evolution. Negatives to technology in nursing care include the ease of sharing, even accidentally, patient information and the need for HIPPA (Yeter & Mesude, 2020). Some older adults have a disconnect from the rise in technologically based communication. Technology can make some clinicians more task oriented, and less concerned with the patient as a person (Yeter & Mesude, 2020). Technology should be used as a tool to aide in a more conductive and efficient healthcare experience. Technology has also helped in providing better nursing care (Yeter & Mesude, 2020). Electronic medical records have literally changed nursing care in so many ways, for the better. EMR allows nurses to have all of the patient’s medical history in one place, medications, previous procedures and diagnoses, a social history, clinician notes easily accessible and transferrable. A patient’s medication list can be quickly accessed by their pharmacy. This allows nurses a head start to learning the patient, and allows them to focus on learning the patient as a human being (Yeter & Mesude, 2020). Images and diagnostic findings can be be received by other physicians in a more timely fashion, reducing patient radiation and faster interventions. Inquiries into patient illnesses and disease processes can be answered more quickly with evolving technologies, such as thinner sections in CT scanners, portable Xray machines and EKG readers. In the cardiac catheterization lab, technology is always upgrading. Moving surgical lights and monitors have aided in the cardiologists ability access and view the arteries more clearly. Portable ultrasound machines have made it easier to gain access to the artery, to reduce the number of sticks to a patient. Defibilators have allowed for a more timely intervention in emergency situations. The ability of the fluoroscopy and procedure table to move allows the cardiologist to see different views of a two dimensional image, allowing them to find hidden blockages in the arteries. The vitals monitoring systems allow nurses to watch the vital signs and cardiac rhythms continuously, allowing for faster interventions when there is a drop in blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac rhythms, or arterial pressures. Contrast injectors has shortened cardiac catheterization times. Smaller sheaths, wires and catheters have reduced patient blood loss during cardiac catheterizations. Pyxis machines have reduced medication administration errors, especially during code situations (Smith, 2020). Transesophageal echocardiograms have allowed the cardiologist to observe emboli before a cardio version, preventing blood clots from traveling and becoming life threatening. The EMR is extremely helpful to a nurse in the cardiac catheterization lab as we can quickly find medications ingested, allergies, and notes from the cardiologist following a clinic appointment. Sedation is sometimes given during a catheterization, so knowing if the patient has taken any other narcotics is extremely important. The nurse needs to know any allergies the patient may have to prevent anaphylaxis, contrast dye is a common allergy and can be life threatening. Notes from the cardiologist following a clinic appointment can give the nurse insight into why the procedure is being performed and any abnormalities or variances they want to the procedure. Sterility of instruments used in arterial procedures prevents post procedural infections. Cardiac pacemakers quite literally allow a patients heart to beat fast enough to pump blood to their vital organs. All of technological advancements have enabled cardiac catheterization nurses the ability to work more efficiently, and provided more moments to learn each patient, or advocate for them more appropriately if needed.

Logotherapy and tragedy in a community

        September 11, 2001 is probably one of most traumatic events in history, while the community involved is a massive one, there were several different coping mechanisms that were used. there were many victims and loved ones following this tragedy, so there are many different ways to utilize the three core concepts of Logotheory. With Freedom of will, the survivor has the responsibility to their own outlook on the meaning of their own life. The person can choose to feel as though their loved one is in a better place, that their loved one didn’t die in vain, and find a reason that they are still alive. Possibly, the belief that the loved one would want them to do great things in life (Weathers & Murphy, 2014). Will of meaning would be the need to pursue a helpful role. Survivors that initiated support groups, provided financial and emotional aide, started scholarships, reached out to other survivors, or shared their stories were all answering to will of meaning; as they chose to find a purpose in their life, and an outlet to cope with their tragedy (Weathers & Murphy, 2014). Meaning in life refers to remembering the importance of one’s existence post traumatic event.  With this concept, the individual may think of other surviving loved ones, they may find importance in helping others, they may  take solace in keeping the memory of their loved one alive (Weathers & Murphy, 2014). Personally, I would practice active listening with the grieving person. I would learn the patient as a whole person to attempt to draw out the biggest anxieties and stressors (Smith, 2020). After understanding the root of the patient’s highest priority issue, we can discuss their own freedoms and responsibilities. I would discuss what is important to them as a person, and encourage them to do more of those things. Reassuring a patient that the feelings they are experiencing are normal and try to understand what may aid in getting through the stages of grief, as the transition process is different for everyone and is not linear (Ozan & Duman, 2020). Personally, I may refer the person to a support group for survivors and possibly a therapist. Respect the grieving person at all times, never making them feel as if their feelings are irrelevant, or as if they are psychologically ill. Never compare a patient’s situation to your own, even if you think it may create a bond, but create a trusting rapport with the patient. Rapport is one of the most important tools in a trusting relationship between client and healthcare provider, it is imperative to determine how the patient best communicates (Smith, 2020). Attending conferences that allow the nurse to speak to other people about the crisis involved with loss may bring breakthroughs in counseling services in the workplace, so people dealing with loss can easily find support in a time of need. Encouraging people to come forward when dealing with the hardships of the loss of a loved one to destigmatize the psychological process that acompanies a tragedy may bring forth an environment in which these people can feel more at ease and understood. Creating an environment in which a sufferer feels comfortable may be the key to helping them through the transition to their new normal (Smith, 2020).

Ozan, Y. D., & Duman, M. (2020). Nurses’ Perceptions Regarding the Use of Technological Devices in Nursing Care Practices. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 13(2), 901–908.

Ameli, M., & Dattilio, F. M. (2013). Enhancing cognitive behavior therapy with logotherapy: Techniques for clinical practice. Psychotherapy, 50(3), 387-391.

Smith, M. C. (2020). Nursing theories and nursing practice (5th ed.). F.A. Davis.

Weathers, E., & Murphy, M. (2014). , Theories guiding nursing research and practice (pp. 324–338). Springer.