title: The Internet of Things for basic nursing care-A scoping review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The novel technology of the Internet of Things (IoT) connects objects to the Internet and its most advanced applications refine obtained data for the user. We propose that Internet of Things technology can be used to promote basic nursing care in the hospital environment by improving the quality of care and patient safety.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To introduce the concept of Internet of Things to nursing audience by exploring the state of the art of Internet of Things based technology for basic nursing care in the hospital environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scoping review methodology following Arksey & O'Malley's stages from one to five were used to explore the extent, range, and nature of current literature. We searched eight databases using predefined search terms. A total of 5030 retrievals were found which were screened for duplications and relevancy to the study topic. 265 papers were chosen for closer screening of the abstracts and 93 for full text evaluation. 62 papers were selected for the review. The constructs of the papers, the Internet of Things based innovations and the themes of basic nursing care in hospital environment were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the papers included in the review were peer-reviewed proceedings of technological conferences or articles published in technological journals. The Internet of Things based innovations were presented in methodology papers or tested in case studies and usability assessments. Innovations were identified in several topics in four basic nursing care activities: comprehensive assessment, periodical clinical reassessment, activities of daily living and care management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Internet of Things technology is providing innovations for the use of basic nursing care although the innovations are emerging and still in early stages. Internet of things is yet vaguely adopted in nursing. The possibilities of the Internet of Things are not yet exploited as well as they could. Nursing science might benefit from deeper involvement in engineering research in the area of health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turun Yliopisto, Finland. Electronic address: ritemi@utu.fi.
authors.forename: Riitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mieronkoski
authors.affiliation: Department of Information Technology, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turun Yliopisto, Finland.
authors.forename: Iman
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Azimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, University of California Irvine, USA; Institute of Computer Technology, TU, Wien, Austria.
authors.forename: Amir M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rahmani
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency Care and Pain Medicine, 20014, University of Turku, Finland; Turku University Hospital, 20521, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Riku
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aantaa
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turun Yliopisto, Finland.
authors.forename: Virpi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Terävä
authors.affiliation: Department of Information Technology, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turun Yliopisto, Finland.
authors.forename: Pasi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Liljeberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turun Yliopisto, Finland; Turku University Hospital, 20521, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Sanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salanterä
mesh_terms: D020407:Internet; D009732:Nursing Care
keywords: Basic nursing care; Hospitals; Internet of Things; Nursing informatics