Historical Perspectives of Nursing and Computers

Prior to 1960s
there were only a few experts who formed a cadre of pioneers that attempted to adapt
computers to health care and nursing
the image of nursing was improving
computers were used for basic business office functions
used punch cards to store data and card readers to read computer programs, sort, and
prepare data for processing

1960s
uses of computer technology in health care setting began to be questioned
nurses station in the hospital was viewed as the hub of information exchange
during this period, computer technology advanced, while the number of health care
facilities increased
introduction of cathode ray tube terminals, online data communication, and real time
processing added important dimensions to the
computer system
hospital information systems were developed primarily to process financial
transactions and serve as billing and accounting systems
vendors of computer systems were beginning to enter the health care field

1970s
continued integration of computers into nursing
improvement of documentation (nurses chart, vital signs, etc.)
mainframe HIS were designed and develop management of care
during this period, several states and large community health agencies developed

1980s
the field of informatics emerged in the health care industry and nursing
updates on practice standards
mainframe HISs emerged with nursing subsystems.
discharged planning system were developed and used as referrals to
community health care facilities
microcomputer or personal computer (PC) emerged
1990s
computer technology became an integral part of health care settings, nursing practice,
and the nursing profession.
during 1992, NI was approved by the American Nurses Association (ANA) as a new
nursing specialty.
smaller and faster computers-laptops and notebooks arise
workstations, local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs) were developed
introduction of internet

Post 2000
torrid pace of hardware and software development and growth
wireless point-of-care developed
clinical information systems became individualized in the electronic patient record (EPR)
and lifelong longitudinal record or the electronic health record (EHR)
personal digital assistance (PDA) and smart cellular telephones continued to advanced
use of Voice over internet protocol (VoIP)
critical care units are monitored remotely by health care provides (eICU)
Telenursing is increasing in popularity and providing patient care in an efficient and
expeditious fashion
health insurance portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was enacted