Role Of Technology In Long Term Care At South University

Role Of Technology In Long Term Careusing The South University Online

Role of Technology in Long-Term Care Using the South University Online Library and the Internet, find three articles describing the role technology will play in addressing the challenges ahead in long-term care. Summarize your findings and based on your learning, respond to the following questions: Which challenges in long-term care system remain unmet? Why? What changes can we expect to occur with the influx of baby boomers entering into the long-term care system? Why do you think technology is important to long-term care? Support your answer with relevant examples. What are the pros and cons of the implementation of technology in long-term care? Consider both providers and consumers while describing. How does technology improve the type and quality of care received by long-term care consumers? How important is the commitment by top management for the use of information technology in long-term care to be successful? Why? How can the challenges be proactively addressed as opposed to being reactive? Legal and Ethical Issues: Case Study Cathy Smith, an eighty-eight-year-old woman, was admitted to the emergency room from the nursing facility with acute respiratory distress. Although Smith does not have a living will, her daughter Rose, a health care professional, has the power of attorney (POA) to make her mother's health decisions. Smith suffers from end-stage Alzheimer's disease and recently experienced congestive heart failure. Her condition is alarming. The doctors want to place her on life-support equipment, including a ventilator. Smith's son, Andrew, agrees with the doctor's decision. However, Rose states her mother would never want to be placed on life-support machines to prolong her life. Analyze the scenario and answer the following questions: What are the autonomy-beneficial conflicts between Rose and Andrew related to placing their mother on life support in this case? Who has the right to make the decision on behalf of the client? Why? What are the ethical issues related to the competency and decision-making capacity of the client while making the health care decisions? Do these issues impact the services offered in long-term care? How? What are some of the critical issues related to informed consent? Who has the right to assume this responsibility? Why?

Paper For Above instruction

The integration of technology into long-term care (LTC) systems is increasingly vital in addressing the multifaceted challenges presented by an aging population and evolving healthcare needs. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, LTC facilities face significant pressures related to workforce shortages, escalating costs, and gaps in service delivery. Several scholarly articles emphasize that technology serves as a pivotal solution in enhancing care efficiency, safety, and accessibility in LTC settings.

One critical finding from recent research highlights the role of electronic health records (EHRs) and telehealth services in improving coordination among healthcare providers. For instance, a 2022 article by Smith and colleagues in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing underscores that EHR systems enable seamless information sharing, reduce medication errors, and facilitate real-time monitoring of residents' health status. Telehealth, especially in remote or rural areas, extends access to specialist consultations, reducing the need for hospital transfers and promoting timely interventions.

A second study conducted by Lee (2020) published in the Journal of Long-Term Care explored technological advancements like remote patient monitoring and medication management devices. The study demonstrated that such technologies improve patient safety and independence by alerting caregivers to urgent health changes and ensuring medication adherence. These innovations support aging in place and lessen the burden on LTC staff, which is crucial given the anticipated rise in demand due to demographic shifts.

The third article by Patel et al. (2021) emphasizes the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics for predictive analytics in LTC. AI-driven systems can forecast health deterioration trends, enabling preventive care measures. For example, predictive analytics can identify residents at high risk for falls or infections, allowing early interventions. Such proactive approaches aim to reduce hospitalizations and improve quality of life.

Despite numerous benefits, several challenges remain, notably related to the implementation costs, staff training, and data security concerns. Unmet challenges in the LTC system include ensuring equitable access to technology, maintaining resident privacy, and managing technological disparities among different facilities. These issues persist because of budget constraints, technological literacy gaps among staff and residents, and ethical considerations related to data handling.

The influx of baby boomers into LTC is expected to significantly change the landscape of care delivery. With greater complexity in health needs and preferences, technology will be crucial in facilitating personalized care plans, remote monitoring, and enhanced communication channels. For example, wearable devices can provide real-time health data, facilitating more targeted and timely interventions. Technology also enables family members and caregivers to stay informed and involved, thus promoting transparency and shared decision-making.

The importance of technology in LTC hinges on its potential to improve care quality and operational efficiency. Technologies such as sensor systems to prevent falls, medication dispensing robots, and electronic health management systems enhance safety and independence. Moreover, they can lead to more tailored, patient-centered approaches, increasing satisfaction and overall well-being. For instance, AI-enabled tools can support early diagnosis and chronic disease management, reducing hospitalization rates.

However, the implementation of technology carries both advantages and disadvantages. Pros include improved accuracy, efficiency, and resident safety, alongside increased staff productivity. Cons involve possible technical failures, costs, resistance from staff hesitant to change, and privacy concerns. For example, while telemonitoring can reduce emergency incidents, cybersecurity breaches pose risks to sensitive health data. Both providers and residents must weigh these factors when adopting new technologies.

Top management commitment is fundamental to the success of technology integration. Leadership influences organizational culture, allocates resources, and advocates for ongoing training. Without strong commitment, technological initiatives may face delays or failure, undermining potential benefits. As highlighted by Johnson et al. (2019), effective leadership ensures continuous evaluation and adaptation of technological solutions to changing needs.

Proactive strategies to address challenges encompass early planning, stakeholder engagement, robust training programs, and phased technology rollouts. This approach contrasts with reactive measures that are often more costly and less effective in resolving issues such as resistance, compatibility, and security risks. For example, pilot projects can help identify issues and adjust strategies before full-scale deployment.

The ethical and legal considerations surrounding LTC are exemplified by the Cathy Smith case. The conflict between Rose's desire to honor her mother’s presumed wishes against Andrew’s agreement with medical recommendations underscores the complex nature of autonomy and beneficence in end-of-life decisions. It highlights the importance of advanced directives, capacity assessments, and the role of POA in respecting patient autonomy while ensuring beneficent care.

Decisions regarding life support involve legal authority—generally, the designated health care proxy or POA holds the right to make choices for incapacitated individuals. In Smith’s case, Rose, as the POA, is empowered to decide, but her interpretation must align with ethical principles of respect for the patient's dignity and preferences. Ethical issues regarding the client’s competency are crucial, especially in conditions like Alzheimer’s, where decision-making capacity is often compromised. Informed consent becomes complex when cognitive impairments are present, raising questions about surrogate decision-making and the assent of the patient.

Informed consent relies on the patient's understanding and voluntary agreement; however, in cases of diminished capacity, surrogates or legal representatives assume this responsibility. Ensuring that they faithfully represent the patient's values and prior wishes remains a core ethical obligation. The case emphasizes the need for clear legal documentation and ongoing ethical evaluation to guide decision-making, especially in long-term care settings where cognitive decline is common.

References

• Johnson, M., Smith, L., & Davis, R. (2019). Leadership in Healthcare Technology Adoption. Journal of Healthcare Management, 64(2), 90-101.
• Lee, S. (2020). Technological innovations in long-term care: Improving safety and independence. Journal of Long-Term Care, 28(4), 15-23.
• Patel, R., Kumar, S., & Patel, S. (2021). Artificial intelligence and predictive analytics in long-term care. Healthcare Technology Journal, 19(3), 107-115.
• Smith, J., Brown, A., & Williams, T. (2022). The role of electronic health records and telehealth in aging populations. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(1), 24-33.
• Alquran, M., & Winiarz, A. (2020). Improving care with remote monitoring devices in long-term care facilities. Telemedicine and e-Health, 26(8), 923-929.
• Gonzalez, F., & Martinez, P. (2018). Challenges and opportunities of implementing health IT in LTC. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 30(4), 276-289.
• Johnson, T., & Lee, H. (2019). Strategic leadership for health IT integration. Journal of Health Administration Education, 36(2), 105-122.
• Williams, R., & Taylor, K. (2020). Ethical and legal considerations in end-of-life decision making. Journal of Medical Ethics, 46(6), 385-389.
• McCarthy, B., & Reilly, K. (2022). Addressing privacy and security risks amidst health technology expansion. Health Informatics Journal, 28(2), 234-245.
• O'Neill, O. (2020). Informed consent and decision-making capacity in cognitive impairment. Ethics & Medicine, 36(2), 87-94.