Respiratory Therapist: Article Analysis

I have chosen to discuss “Electronic Distractions of the Respiratory Therapist and Their Impact on Patient Safety” by Peter Papadakos. According to Richtel, Peter is “an anesthesiologist and director of critical care at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York”. As a medical professional, Peter had witnessed the effect of electronics first-hand in Medicare and wrote the article about it.
The article centers around characteristics of professionalism and socialization within the profession. The growth of electronics devices such as smartphones and tablets has “changed the way we communicate” (Papadakos 1307). These devices have proliferated into the medical sector.The use these devices in the hospital scenes has resulted in a potential growth of distractions. Ritchtel asserts that hospitals have invested much in computers and smartphones and other devices in the hands of medical staff for instant access to drug information, case studies, and patient data. However, with the many positive contributions it has brought to the industry, it also has an adverse effect. Doctors and nurses can be too focused on the devices and overlook the patients’ needs.
The embrace of Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) and social media is the primary cause of distraction in the medical profession.
Papadakos asserts that the “massive exposure and acceptance of PEDs and Internet connectivity has affected the society as a whole.” People have caused accidents due to texting or cell phone calls while driving. The medical sector is no different. PEDs have numerous unintended use. Richtel reveals that many a times, doctors and nurses get so engrossed with their devices to an extent that they forget their patients. A neurosurgeon may make personal calls during a surgical procedure thus endangering their
patient.
Interpersonal collaboration in the caring for patients is essential. Computers and other smart devices are a good place to communicate. These devices are vital in doing medical records in hospitals. However, as Papadakos argues, these devices can be used to surf the Internet and social media (Richtel). The temptation to access social sites like Facebook is even more intense. Medical care provided by physicians and health care provided by others should adhere to the values and needs of patients. Doctors and nurses need to understand that a distraction by anything while treating or performing an operation on a patient could result in lose of life for the patient and as such the devices should be used when need be and not otherwise. This would mean the development of the perspective of a patient-centered care.
In the context of providing optimal care, providers must be accountable and responsible for the outcome of their practice. Papadakos believes that “professional and staff education is at the core of preventing electronic distraction” (1308). Lack of addressing this problem “will lead to a breakdown of the sacred relationship between the patient and the healer” (1308). Patients should be assured that their well-being is paramount. If each doctor and nurse could take responsibility for their actions, then they would use the devices with more precaution and accord patients’ full attention they deserve.
Technology has revolutionized how human being communicates and relate. Communication nowadays is dominated by electronic emails, texting, social media and tweets. The use of electronic devices in the medical sector has had increasingly negative effects. The focus of doctors and healthcare professionals has been hijacked by PEDs from their traditional roles. There is a dire need to formulate programs that will govern poor human communication skills and electronic distraction.