Is technology the best medicine? Three practice theoretical perspectives on medication administration technologies in nursing.
Even though it is often presumed that the use of technology like medication administration technology is both safer and more effective, the importance of nurses' know-how is not to be underestimated. In this article, we accordingly try to argue that nurses' labor, including their different forms of knowledge, must play a crucial role in the development, implementation and use of medication administration technology. Using three different theoretical perspectives ('heuristic lenses') and integrating this with our own ethnographic research, we will explore how nursing practices change through the use of medication technology. Ultimately, we will argue that ignoring (institutional) complexity and the various types of important knowledge that nurses have, will seriously complicate the implementation of medication administration technology.
Department of Care Ethics, University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Marcel Jmh
MJ
Boonen
Department of Care Ethics, University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Frans Jh
FJ
Vosman
Department of Care Ethics, University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Alistair R
AR
Niemeijer
D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008510:Medication Systems, Hospital; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D061214:Patient Safety
bar code medication administration technology; knowledge; logic; nursing; technology; theoretical lenses