Nur 305 Final Project Milestone Two Guidelines And Rubric

Nur 305 Final Project Milestone Two Guidelines And Rubricfor Milestone

Nur 305 Final Project Milestone Two Guidelines and Rubric for Milestone Two of your final project, you will analyze your chosen information technology and management strategy. Your submission for this step must address the following elements: A. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using your chosen topic. B. Identify any legal and ethical implications associated with the use of your chosen topic, being sure to provide specific examples from research. If you feel there are none, be sure to justify your conclusion. C. Explain how your chosen topic might need to be adapted for use with vulnerable populations. If you feel there is no need for adaptation, be sure to defend your position with specific examples. D. Be sure to support your analysis with cited sources. Guidelines for Submission: Your analysis of your chosen information technology and management strategy should be a minimum of 1–2 pages. Formatting should be 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, and one-inch margins. References and in-text citations should use proper APA formatting.

Paper For Above instruction

Information technology (IT) strategies in healthcare are rapidly transforming patient care, operational efficiency, and safety. The adoption of systems such as automated medication dispensing machines exemplifies how technology can enhance healthcare delivery. One prominent example is the Pyxis MedStation system, an automated medication management tool designed to optimize drug distribution and safety in hospital settings. This paper explores the advantages, disadvantages, legal and ethical implications, and necessary adaptations of such technology for vulnerable populations, supported by scholarly research.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Pyxis Medication Dispensing System

The Pyxis medication dispensing system offers numerous advantages that significantly benefit healthcare settings. Foremost is its contribution to patient safety. The system's barcode verification ensures medications are accurately administered, reducing the risk of errors—a leading concern in medication management (Utech et al., 2017). Additionally, automation streamlines medication dispensing processes, decreasing nurse workload and minimizing manual record-keeping errors (Dobson et al., 2018). This efficiency allows healthcare providers to dedicate more time to direct patient care, ultimately improving outcomes. The system also enhances inventory management, optimizing stock levels and reducing medication waste or stockouts (Dobson et al., 2018).

However, despite these benefits, the system presents disadvantages. The initial cost of installing and maintaining Pyxis systems can be substantial, posing financial challenges for some healthcare facilities, especially smaller clinics or underfunded institutions. Furthermore, reliance on technological systems introduces vulnerability to technical failures or cyberattacks, which could disrupt medication supply and compromise patient safety (Utech et al., 2017). There is also a potential for over-reliance on automation, which might diminish staff's clinical judgment skills over time.

Legal and Ethical Implications

The use of automated medication systems carries important legal and ethical considerations. Legally, healthcare providers must ensure compliance with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which mandates the protection of patient privacy and sensitive health information stored or transmitted via these systems (McConnell et al., 2016). Data breaches or unauthorized access could have legal repercussions, including fines or litigation. Ethically, the deployment of such systems raises questions about accountability—if a medication error occurs due to system failure, it is essential to determine whether liability rests with the healthcare provider, the system manufacturer, or the institution itself (Tallinger et al., 2019). Ensuring staff are adequately trained and that systems comply with safety standards is crucial.

Adaptation for Vulnerable Populations

Vulnerable populations, including children, elderly individuals, and persons with disabilities, require tailored approaches when implementing IT systems like Pyxis. For example, older adults may have difficulty understanding or interacting with complex technology, necessitating simplified interfaces or additional support (Andrews & Krawczyk, 2017). The system could be adapted to include visual cues or voice-assisted features to improve usability for cognitively impaired or sensory-sensitive individuals. For pediatric populations, ensuring medication safety through age-specific dosing verification integrated into the system is essential. Ethical considerations also emphasize equitable access to advanced technology, requiring healthcare facilities to ensure vulnerable groups are not excluded or inadvertently disadvantaged by automation (World Health Organization, 2011).

Conclusion

The integration of automated medication dispensing systems like Pyxis has revolutionized medication safety and operational efficiency in healthcare. While the advantages are compelling—enhanced safety, streamlined processes, and improved inventory management—the initial costs and potential vulnerabilities must be carefully managed. Legally and ethically, healthcare providers must remain vigilant in protecting patient data and ensuring accountability. Adaptations for vulnerable populations are vital to promote equitable healthcare access and usability. As technology continues to evolve, ongoing research, ethical oversight, and tailored implementations are essential for maximizing benefits and minimizing risks in healthcare technology deployment.

References

• Andrews, J., & Krawczyk, A. (2017). Designing technology for older adults: Principles and practices. Journal of Gerontological Research, 8(2), 120–135.
• Dobson, G., Sullivan, S., Tilson, V., & Webster, D. (2018). Reducing costs of managing medication inventory in automated dispensing systems in hospital units. Journal of Healthcare Management, 63(3), 168–180.
• McConnell, T. L., Mello, M. M., & Rhoton, N. (2016). Data security and privacy concerns in health information technology. Health Affairs, 35(2), 183–189.
• Tallinger, S. C., et al. (2019). Liability and accountability in the era of automated medication dispensing: Legal perspectives. Journal of Medical Ethics, 45(4), 267–272.
• Utech, T., Davis, K. E., & Jaskela, M. C. (2017). U.S. Patent No. 9,842,196. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• World Health Organization. (2011). mHealth: New horizons for health through mobile technologies. WHO Press.