Blog #10: Technology (and I am just getting the hang of this blogging business)

In theory, I am a great advocate of technology; however in my own life I am barely proficient with computers. Going into Evergreen Hospital I was intimidated by the idea of computer charting, however I found that it was very organized and efficient. Multiple people could enter information into the computer, and the team of healthcare workers could view it immediately and be “on the same page.” It was very organized, and removed the issue of messy charting and unintelligible handwriting. The nurses could access the computer database from inside or outside of the patients’ rooms, and they did not need to lug the massive charts in and out of patients rooms. Additionally, even I could navigate the computer chart – the ultimate test of whether or not a program is “user-friendly.” I think it is appropriate for hospitals to take advantages of advances in technology. While the transition to computer charting may have been difficult – the nurses now have the ability to scan medications, view patient information in a clear and organized manner, and cooperate with other healthcare workers online. Improvements in technology may contribute to patient safety, and improved efficiency and clarity in charting, and should be embraced.


In regards to education, I believe that there are many benefits to technology. For example, this blogging exercise has permitted us students to communicate our ideas from home. There is not enough time to communicate all of our ideas in class, so these forums allow students to view the ideas of the peers in a concise manner. I can certainly sympathize with those individuals who struggle accessing information on a flash-drive or are bewildered when printers won’t work, however I think technological improvement are useful and valuable enough to struggle through all the inconveniences. Technology is an integral part of the future, and in this case, I think we just need to get on board.

Blog #7: Acute Care Patient

Several weeks ago I met a very unique patient while shadowing a nurse in the Medical/Surgical unit. During the change of shift report, the nurses talked about a woman who had been in the hospital for weeks, and suffered from a long list of diagnoses. I was taken back by their abrasive attitudes regarding this particular patient whom they described as “lazy,” “needy” and “difficult.” After the report, the nurse and I entered the patient’s room to begin the morning assessment. I was surprised to find that the patient was very pleasant and conversational, and was very cooperative with both myself and the nurse. Throughout the day, I was in and out of the room doing vitals and assisting the nurse. Each time, the patient would become very talkative and eagerly engage us in conversation about the television shows, the meal, etc. I had many conversations with her, and I never saw the negative characteristics that the nurses attributed to her. After a month in the hospital with minimal visitors, I believe she was beginning to feel very socially isolated. It was very clear that she would benefit from some more one-on-one care, so the following week I chose her to be my patient in order to enable more contact and care time.
Throughout the two days in which she was my patient, I was in her room quite a bit, and she began to talk with me about her anxiety about her hospitalization and her strained relationship with her husband. I was able to assist her with her first shower in a month, and while I was situating her back in bed she expressed to me how poorly she felt about herself. I listened, and asked questions, but did not feel able to give her any counsel.

On the second day of working with her, I completed the second section of the Gordon’s Assessment. When I came to the content on role-relationship, coping-stress, sexuality and spirituality, the conversation took a difficult turn. She began to cry and was unable to answer some of the questions and merely shook her head. She seemed very relieved to be able to express some of her difficulties; she explained to me that she had no family or friends to rely on or talk to. Throughout our conversation, she disclosed her difficult circumstances and shared some personal struggles. I asked if she had communicated these things to anyone, and if she had spoken to a social worker about her living situation. She expressed that she had, and that her living situation was going to be different when she left acute care. She was very discouraged, but this potential change in living situations gave her a small degree of hope.