TELENURSING APPLICATION

• Telenursing


  The use of telecommunications and information technology to provide nursing services in health care and enhance care whenever a physical distance exists between patient and nurse among any number of nurses
• Types of telenursing


  • Teleconsultation
  • Teletriage
  • Telemonitoring
  • Telecare Management
  • Telepsychiatry and Mental Health Support
  • Telehealth Education
  • Remote Patient Education and Follow-up
  • Disaster Response and Emergency Nursing
• Teleconsultation


  1. Remote consultations between nurses and patients or between nurses and other healthcare providers

  2. Allows nurses to assess patients' health status, provide guidance on managing symptoms, offer health education, and collaborate with other members of the healthcare team without the need for in-person visits
• Teletriage


  1. Nurses assess patients' symptoms and prioritize their care needs based on severity

  2. Helps streamline patient flow, ensure timely access to appropriate care, and reduce unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities
• Telemonitoring


  1. Nurses remotely monitor patients' vital signs, symptoms, and health status using connected devices such as wearable sensors, home monitoring equipment, or mobile health apps

  2. Enables early detection of health issues, facilitates proactive interventions, and supports chronic disease management from a distance
• Telecare Management


  Nurses use telecommunication technology to provide regular follow-up, medication management, lifestyle counselling, and self-care education to help patients manage their health conditions and prevent complications
• Telepsychiatry and Mental Health Support


  Nurses conduct assessments, provide counselling, and offer support to individuals experiencing mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, through telecommunication platforms
• Telehealth Education


  Nurses conduct virtual classes, webinars, and one-on-one sessions to educate individuals on topics such as disease prevention, medication management, healthy lifestyle habits, and self-care practices
• Remote Patient Education and Follow-up


  1. Nurses provide instructions, guidance, and support to patients after discharge from healthcare facilities

  2. Helps prevent readmissions, ensures continuity of care, and promotes patient empowerment and self-management
• Disaster Response and Emergency Nursing


  Nurses provide remote support, advice, and guidance to individuals affected by emergencies, helping to optimize resources and provide timely assistance
• Methods of Delivery


  • Video Conferencing
  • Telephone Calls
  • Mobile Apps
  • Text Messaging
  • Remote Monitoring Devices
  • Telehealth Platforms
  • Web-based Application
  • Email Consultations
  • Telemonitoring Systems
• Video Conferencing


  Nurses can conduct virtual consultations with patients, allowing for face-to-face interaction, assessment of physical cues, and discussion of symptoms and treatment plans in real-time
• Telephone Calls


  Nurses can provide nursing advice, triage patients, and offer support. This method is convenient for patients who may not have access to video conferencing technology or prefer verbal communication.
• Mobile Apps


  Patients can communicate with nurses, schedule appointments, access educational resources, and manage their health remotely. Nurses can provide support and monitor patients' progress through these apps
• Text Messaging


  Nurses can communicate with patients to provide reminders, answer questions, and deliver educational content
• Remote Monitoring Devices


  Nurses can remotely monitor patients' vital signs, medication adherence, and other health indicators using connected devices such as wearable sensors, smart scales, and blood pressure monitors
• Telehealth Platforms


  Enable nurses to deliver a wide range of nursing services remotely, including assessments, consultations, education, and follow-up care
• Web-based Application


  Telenursing application accessed through a web browser on devices like computers, laptops, or tablets connected to the internet
• Email Consultations


  Patients communicate with nurses via email, allowing for asynchronous communication and documentation of healthcare advice and instructions
• Telemonitoring Systems


  Advanced telenursing applications that can track and analyze a patient's health data over time, providing insights for better care management and decision-making by nurses
• Ethical Issues

  • Privacy and Confidentiality
  • Informed Consent
  • Quality of Care
  • Equity of Access
• Privacy and Confidentiality


  • Using video conferencing tools without proper encryption could violate the Data Privacy Act, exposing patients to potential data breaches
• Informed Consent


  • In the Philippines, language barriers or lack of technological literacy among patients may complicate the informed consent process, making it challenging for nurses to fully explain the risks and benefits of telenursing
• Quality of Care


  • Nurses in the Philippines practicing telenursing must be proficient in using remote monitoring devices and interpreting data accurately to ensure patient safety and effective clinical decision-making
• Equity of Access


  • In rural areas with limited internet connectivity, patients may not have access to telenursing services, exacerbating healthcare disparities between urban and rural communities
• Legal Issues

  • Licensing and Credentialing
  • Malpractice Liability
  • Data Protection and Cybersecurity
  • Telemedicine Prescribing Laws
• Licensing and Credentialing


  • A nurse licensed in Metro Manila providing telenursing services to patients in Visayas or Mindanao may face licensing issues and regulatory scrutiny due to the jurisdictional complexities of telenursing
• Malpractice Liability


  • If a nurse makes an error during a remote consultation that leads to patient harm, determining whether the nurse or the technology was at fault may require legal intervention and could result in disciplinary action by the PRC
• Data Protection and Cybersecurity


  • Telenursing platforms used in the Philippines must comply with the Data Privacy Act to safeguard patient information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure, which could result in legal penalties if violated
• Telemedicine Prescribing Laws


  • Nurses in the Philippines are generally not authorized to prescribe medications via telenursing without proper authorization and oversight, as per the regulations set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the PRC
• Recommendations

  • Training and Education
  • Standardized Protocols
  • Legal Reforms
  • Technology Solutions
  • Community Engagement and Outreach
• Training and Education


  The Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) and nursing schools should collaborate to develop and implement telenursing training programs that cover ethical considerations, technological proficiency, and clinical skills
• Standardized Protocols


  The Department of Health (DOH) and professional nursing organizations should work together to develop national guidelines and protocols for telenursing, incorporating best practices and ethical standards
• Legal Reforms


  The Philippine Congress and relevant government agencies, such as the PRC, DOH, and FDA, should collaborate to review and revise existing laws, including the Philippine Nursing Act, Data Privacy Act, and Telemedicine Prescribing Laws, to ensure they are comprehensive and up-to-date with advancements in telenursing technology and practices
• Technology Solutions


  Healthcare institutions and telenursing platforms operating in the Philippines should prioritize the adoption of secure telehealth technologies that comply with the Data Privacy Act and international cybersecurity standards. Regular cybersecurity audits and training should be conducted to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of patient data
• Community Engagement and Outreach


  The DOH, local government units, and healthcare organizations should collaborate to develop community-based tele-education programs to raise awareness and educate patients about the benefits and limitations of telenursing
• Nursing Act, Data Privacy Act, and Telemedicine Prescribing Laws should be reviewed to ensure they are comprehensive and up-to-date with advancements in telenursing technology and practices
• Electronic Languages for Nursing


  A standardized nursing language is a structured vocabulary that provides nurses with a common means of communication
• Electronic Medical Record (EMR)


  Digital version of the paper charts in the clinician's office
• EMR Example


  • CureMD - a cloud-based EMR, is fit for health care systems of all sizes. It provides clinical and administrative operations for specialties like gynecology, oncology, dermatology, obstetrics, public health and more. Its salient features include workflow automation, electronic prescribing, interoperability, electronic labs and an iOS app