Utilization of intensive care unit technology.
Technology utilization in acute and critical care holds great promise for improving the management and outcome of patients. However, before this promise can be realized, technology has to be properly evaluated for appropriateness of use. This evaluation must include both the clinical impact on patient outcomes as well as the economic impact. Following this initial evaluation, for technologies deemed appropriate for use, careful preparation of clinicians in the use of the technology is necessary. Education must prioritize how the technology is to be used as well as provide incentives for the clinicians to change their current practice. If these three key steps are followed, technology can achieve the promise of improving patient management and outcome. Unfortunately, evidence exists which suggests that these three steps are not followed in many, if not most, hospitals in the United States. In this article, a method of implementing these three steps is presented. However, it is essential that national organizations and societies become active in this process, lest widespread variation in technology utilization continue.
Ahrens
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Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, USA.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019296:Capnography / Q000379:methods; D002404:Catheterization / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D010092:Oximetry / Q000295:instrumentation; D011651:Pulmonary Artery