Technology in Nursing
The Webster Dictionary defines technology as the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry (Webster Dictionary). In the years of the nursing industry, technology has always played a vital role. Even though people might not have always called it ‘technology’, it was always present. Technology was small in the past, it is here today and it will be even bigger tomorrow. The world is covered in technology everywhere you go. When you walk into a hospital everything you see has something to do with technology whether it is the automatic door that let you in or if it is the machine that made your coffee. Technology plays an important role in everyday life but at the same time, can cost us in the long run.
The beginnings of technology started several years back. Judy Coils, a Nurse Practitioner in Columbus, Indiana, stated, “Nursing from the 1850’s to 1900’s was more focused on providing care to physical needs of patients and maintaining a hygienic environment” (Coils Interview). Judy went on to day that the inventions that came out during that time period, again, went along with helping maintain a hygienic environment. Some examples she gave were bedpans, bandages, surgical splints, nursing bottles, hospital beds, portable tubs, syringes, the safety pin and diapers. “Nursing technology was just getting started,” Coils said (Coils Interview). In the 1950’s, technological advancements involving new medicines and IV therapy became available followed by dialysis and cardiac monitors in the late 60’s. Coils also noted that Hospice started in 1967 with their first patient (Coils Interview). “Whether or not they thought of them as technology, nurses have necessarily always used a variety of tools, instruments and machines” (Sandelowski). Advancements from the 1980’s on kind of took more of an