Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being integrated into healthcare practices nationwide, offering the potential to improve patient care, streamline operations, and reduce the workload for nurses.
As AI continues to advance, here are some ways nurses can use this technology to work smarter, not harder.
The current landscape of AI in nursing
Already, AI is significantly helping nurses in several ways:
Automated documentation: AI-powered systems help with accurate and efficient documentation of patient information, reducing the time nurses spend on paperwork and ensuring thorough and precise record-keeping.
One example of this is Texas Oncology, a community-based practice in Texas, which announced this year that nearly 1,000 clinicians at more than 280 locations will be using AI-powered clinical documentation to reduce administrative tasks.
Predictive analytics for patient care: AI algorithms analyze patient data to predict potential health issues, enabling nurses to intervene early and provide proactive care, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Yoshimi Fukuoka, PhD, RN, FAAN, a professor at the University of San Francisco’s School of Nursing and her colleagues are working on an AI-based intervention to create a predictive model that can personalize a patient’s weight loss program, according to a Nurse.com blog.
Fukuoka says nurses will be able to recommend both heart disease and diabetes/obesity AI-based interventions as preventive care measures to help at-risk patients achieve better health.
Clinical decision support: AI-driven clinical decision support systems are already being offered to hospitals. This technology assists nurses in making informed decisions about patient care, diagnosis, and treatment plans.
Virtual nursing assistants: AI can provide virtual assistants that handle routine tasks such as answering patient questions, scheduling appointments, and providing medication reminders, freeing up nurses to focus on more complex patient care needs.
Remote patient monitoring: AI-enabled devices continuously monitor patients' vital signs and health metrics, alerting nurses to any significant changes. This allows for timely interventions and better management of chronic conditions.
At Portneuf Regional Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho, the hospital has partnered with care.ai on a virtual nursing solution where nurses who work on the same unit in a separate room, use the care.ai platform to continuously monitor patients for potential risks. These nurses can alert bedside nurses to problems before they arise, allowing care teams to be more proactive and less reactive, according to a Nurse.com blog.
Medication administration: AI-powered systems can provide a safeguard for accurate and timely medication dispensing, reducing the risk of errors and enhancing patient safety. Automated reminders and checks help nurses manage complex medication schedules.
Enhanced diagnostic support: By integrating AI into diagnostic services, hospitals are facilitating faster diagnoses and treatment decisions. At Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey, AI is being used to help identify advanced kidney disease earlier, which can help slow disease progression, delay dialysis treatment, and even the need for a transplant.
Benefits of AI in nursing
Using AI can help improve the care experience for both nurses and patients. The benefits of AI in nursing include:
Enhanced patient care: AI in nursing assists in early diagnosis and personalized treatment plans, leading to better patient outcomes and improved quality of care.
Increased efficiency: AI automates routine tasks, such as documentation and scheduling, allowing nurses to focus more on direct patient care.
Reduced workload: Imagine handing your repetitive and administrative tasks over to AI. This reduces the workload and stress on nurses, helping to prevent burnout and improve job satisfaction. It also frees up time for nurses to focus on patient care.
Improved accuracy: AI algorithms help to minimize errors in medication administration, patient records, and diagnostics, improving overall patient safety.
Proactive health management: Predictive analytics enable early intervention and continuous monitoring of patients, leading to timely and proactive healthcare.
Better resource allocation: AI helps in optimizing staff schedules, managing patient flow, and efficiently utilizing healthcare resources, improving operational efficiency.
Cost savings: Increased efficiency and reduced errors lead to significant cost savings for healthcare facilities, making healthcare more affordable and sustainable.
Enhanced decision-making: AI-driven clinical decision support systems provide nurses with evidence-based recommendations, aiding in accurate and quick decision-making.
Greater accessibility: AI enhances telehealth services, allowing nurses to provide care to patients in remote or underserved areas, increasing access to healthcare.
Continuous learning and improvement: AI systems can analyze vast amounts of data, identifying patterns and trends that contribute to ongoing learning and improvement in nursing practices.
These benefits collectively lead to a more efficient, effective, and patient-centered healthcare system.
The future of AI in nursing
While AI in nursing isn’t new, the technology is constantly evolving. Many colleges and professional nursing organizations have started offering CEUs on AI in nursing to educate staff on emerging technologies and how it can be used to improve patient care. Some colleges have even begun offering certification in AI for nurses and other healthcare professionals.
The future of AI in nursing looks promising, with continuous advancements and innovations on the horizon. Although some nurses may worry that AI will replace their jobs, experts say the unique qualities nurses bring to patient care, including compassion, communication, team collaboration, and relationship building can’t be replaced by AI.
As AI algorithms become more sophisticated, nurses will be able to create highly personalized care plans based on individual patient data. This will ensure each patient receives care tailored to their specific needs and conditions.
The seamless integration of AI with Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems will provide nurses with comprehensive and real-time access to patient data, enhancing clinical decision-making and enabling more coordinated care.
AI will also play a significant role in nursing education and training. Virtual simulations and AI-driven learning platforms offer nursing students and nurses hands-on experience and continuous professional development opportunities.
As AI becomes more integrated into nursing practices, ethical and regulatory considerations will continue to take priority. Ensuring patient privacy, data security, and the ethical use of AI technologies is critical in shaping the future of AI in nursing.
