Question

what is the best argument in favor of increased use of technology in medical organizations, and what is the best argument against increasing the use of technology in medical organizations?

Answer 1

BEST ARGUEMENT IN FAVOUR-

• Areas like biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, information technology, the development of medical devices and equipment, and more have all made significant contributions to improving the health of people all around the world. From “small” innovations like adhesive bandages and ankle braces, to larger, more complex technologies like MRI machines, artificial organs, and robotic prosthetic limbs, technology has undoubtedly made an incredible impact on medicine.
• With more and more hospitals and practices using medical technology like mobile devices on the job, physicians can now have access to any type of information they need – from drug information, research and studies, patient history or records, and more – within mere seconds.
• Applications that aid in identifying potential health threats and examining digital information like x-rays and CT scans also contribute to the benefits that information technology brings to medicine. Medical technologies like minimally-invasive surgeries, better monitoring systems, and more comfortable scanning equipment are allowing patients to spend less time in recovery and more time enjoying a healthy life.
• Through the use of technology in medical research, scientists have been able to examine diseases on a cellular level and produce antibodies against them. These vaccines against life-threatening diseases like malaria, polio, MMR, and more prevent the spread of disease and save thousands of lives all around the globe.

BEST AUGUEMENT AGAINST

· With so many health technologies being used, it can be difficult for hospitals to prioritize their safety efforts

· "Alarm Fatigue" Hazards- Alarms on medical devices, such as infusion pumps, ventilators, and dialysis units, are designed to warn of potential dangers to patients. But alarms can contribute to adverse events.

· One major reason is "alarm fatigue." The staff may become desensitized to the frequency with which alarms are sounded and become complacent, delaying needed action. The problem is similar to that of car alarms: When they go off constantly, people tend to ignore them. "There is rapid growth in the use of medical devices with alarms. In a noisy ICU, it's easy for a clinician to miss one.

· Exposure Dangers From Radiation Therapy and CT- Life-saving radiation therapy can have devastating consequences if errors occur. Likewise, inappropriate use and dose levels of CT can lead to unnecessary radiation exposure for patients. Adverse events are probably underreported.

· Hospitals need to maintain adequate staffing levels and quality assurance procedures. For radiation therapy, facilities need to ensure that staff follow and document standard patient treatment procedures, including double-checks and time-outs, and develop standard checklists.

· For CT safety, it's important for radiologists and medical physicists to be accessible to all clinical staff regarding appropriate use of diagnostic imaging. In addition, those involved should make sure that radiation doses are as low as possible while maintaining image quality.

· Medication Administration Errors When Using Infusion Pumps- Mistyping information, entering it into the wrong field, and other data-entry mistakes can be dangerous or even fatal. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and others can contribute to errors. Medication orders may be illegible, drugs and solutions may be incorrectly prepared, and a medication may be given to the wrong patient.

· It's crucial to determine the compatibility of the pumps with your safety systems. Get the names of other sites that have integrated the pump with information systems from the major providers. For staff who will be using the system, emphasize the importance of safeguards, and be aware of any resistance to new workflows and safety compliance issues

· Cross-contamination From Flexible Endoscopes-Improper cleaning and disinfection techniques of flexible endoscopes can lead to patient cross-contamination, resulting in life-threatening infections. It is essential to adhere to a multistep procedure for reprocessing endoscopes. Any missed step could compromise the process.

Eg- talking of a case where a brand of colonoscope changed its design and required independent cleaning of a new channel for it to be fully disinfected. The hospital didn't realize that, so it treated patients with endoscopes that weren't fully disinfected.

· Defibrillator Failure- The FDA reports many incidents in which defibrillators failed to work properly. Often, they didn't discharge during resuscitation attempts for preventable reasons, such as depleted batteries. To make sure that defibrillators are ready at a moment's notice, hospitals must perform regular preventive maintenance and conduct daily checks recommended by the supplier.