Table 1.

Seven Emerging Technologies that Are Changing the Practice of Nursing

Technology Benefits Challenges

The majority of disease risk, health

conditions and the therapies used
to treat those conditions have a Many nurses currently in practice know little abo
genetic and/or genomic element genetics
Genetics and Genomics and genomics and lack the competence ne
influenced by environmental, to effectively counsel and teach patients in this reg
lifestyle, and other factors therefore
impacting the entire nursing
profession (Calzone et. al, 2010).

Non-invasive and minimally invasive The rate at which noninvasive and minimally invas
Less Invasive and More Accurate tools for diagnostics and treatment tools are being introduced makes ongoing compet
Tools for Diagnostics and Treatment generally result in lower patient risk regarding their use a challenge for nurses.
and cost.

Bioprinters, using a "bio-ink" made Healthcare is just beginning to explore the limits of
of living cell mixtures can build a 3D technology. There are limits to the materials which c
structure of cells, layer by layer, to used for printing and materials science is a laggard
3-D Printing form human tissue and eventually printing (Nusca, 2012).
human organs for replacement
(Thompson, 2012).
 Robotics can provide improved
diagnostic abilities; a less invasive
and more comfortable experience
for the patient; and the ability to do More research is needed on comparative effectiven
robotics and human care providers. Many healthc
smaller and more precise
Robotics providers have expressed concern about the lack
interventions (Newell, n.d). In emotion in robots, suggesting that this is the elemen
addition, robots can be used as will never replace human caregivers.
adjunct care providers for some
physical and mental health care
provision.

Biometrics increase the security of The measurement of biometric markers may occur i
confidential healthcare information than
Biometrics ideal situations in healthcare settings and in a r
and eliminate the costs of managing changing workforce, cost may become an issue
lost passwords.

Healthcare providers have access to

critical patient information from Implementation costs, getting computers to talk to
Electronic Healthcare Records (EHR) multiple providers, literally 24 hours other and debates about who "owns" the data in th
a day, 7 days a week, allowing for continue to challenge its required implementatio
better coordinated care.

CPOE and clinical decision support

fundamentally change the ordering
Computerized Physician/Provider process resulting in lower costs,
Order; Entry (CPOE) and Clinical reduced medical errors, and more
Decision Support interventions based on evidence
and best practices.
The introduction of CPOE and clinical decision sup
requires providers to alter their practice. Resistanc
common due to the time spent on order entry
Implementation and training costs are often signifi
 Challenges

ny nurses currently in practice know little about

tics and genomics and lack the competence needed
ffectively counsel and teach patients in this regard.

rate at which noninvasive and minimally invasive

are being introduced makes ongoing competency
regarding their use a challenge for nurses.

hcare is just beginning to explore the limits of this

ology. There are limits to the materials which can be
for printing and materials science is a laggard in 3D
printing (Nusca, 2012).
research is needed on comparative effectiveness of
otics and human care providers. Many healthcare
viders have expressed concern about the lack of
on in robots, suggesting that this is the element that
will never replace human caregivers.

easurement of biometric markers may occur in less

deal situations in healthcare settings and in a rapidly
hanging workforce, cost may become an issue.

mentation costs, getting computers to talk to each

and debates about who "owns" the data in the EHR
ntinue to challenge its required implementation.

ntroduction of CPOE and clinical decision support

ires providers to alter their practice. Resistance is
ommon due to the time spent on order entry.
ementation and training costs are often significant.