Step 1 Select an example of a new technology in nursing. Choose an example of a new technology that you have encountered in your practice or one that you have researched if you aren’t currently in practice. Examples include bar code medication administration (BCMA), prenatal genetic testing, or experimental organ transplantation. Step 2 Post a response to the discussion board. In your post, address the following: Discuss the new technology and the ethical issues it raises. Issues might relate to patient privacy, informed consent, data security issues, data inadequacy, or associate liabilities. Step 3 Read and respond to two other students’ posts by Friday at 11:59 pm MT. Read other students’ posts and respond to at least two of them. Use your personal experience, if it’s relevant, to help support or debate other students’ posts. If differences of opinion occur, debate the issues professionally and provide examples to support your opinions.

Discussion – Ethical Issues Arising from New Technologies

An example of new technology in nursing that I have encountered working in the emergency room is artificial intelligence (AI). AI involves the use of computers to perform work that formerly needed human cognition (Vearrier et al., 2022). Furthermore, artificial intelligence underscores the computers’ assistive role in promoting physician skills rather than replacing them. Artificial intelligence algorithms can evaluate patient information, signs, symptoms, and medical history to help prioritize patients according to the severity of their condition (Vearrier et al., 2022).

Even though this technology has the potential for emergency care optimization, it also poses ethical challenges that need closer consideration. First, AI involves processing large amounts of patient data; therefore, patient privacy is paramount. Maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality while adhering to legal standards is important (Farhud & Zokaei, 2021). Secondly, patients may not fully understand the intricacies of AI algorithms used in triage. Emergency room nurses should ensure they educate their patients on the purpose of using artificial intelligence in their care and seek their informed consent whenever feasible (Farhud & Zokaei, 2021).

Thirdly, AI raises the ethical concern of data security. Nurses in the emergency room should be conversant in the data protection and encryption used by AI systems. Also, nurses must advocate for transparent communication with patients on how their data is being used and stored, which instills confidence in the security protocols (Farhud & Zokaei, 2021). Fourthly, even though AI can improve triage accuracy, it can be subject to data inadequacy. Nurses in the emergency rooms should be aware of the disadvantages of AI algorithms and apply their clinical judgment (Farhud & Zokaei, 2021). Lastly, in case of a hostile outcome, healthcare professionals’ accountability when involving AI in decision-making may be in question. Farhud and Zokaei (2021) note that the establishment of guidelines on the use of AI in triaging and continuous education and training is significant in mitigating the risks related to possible liabilities and errors.

References

Farhud, D. D., & Zokaei, S. (2021). Ethical issues of artificial intelligence in medicine and healthcare. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 50(11). https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v50i11.7600

Vearrier, L., Derse, A. R., Basford, J. B., Larkin, G. L., & Moskop, J. C. (2022). Artificial intelligence in emergency medicine: Benefits, risks, and recommendations. The Journal of Emergency Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2022.01.001

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