ABSTRACT
The development and spread of modern technology within acute care areas offer highly sophisticated machines that provide further continual and accurate monitoring and in some cases assisting in the diagnostic process. Consequently, technology has become one of the major determinants that shape the delivery of acute/high dependency care. As the task of technology develops, nurses should minimise its potentially conflicting demands and increase the demands of humanity. Therefore, this chapter identifies problems associated with influences on the delivery of patient-centred care, e.g. the use of technology, particularly those relating to humanity, patient acuity and disruption/noise, some of which are discussed in more detail in other related chapters. Suggestions will be offered enabling nurses to create and maintain a balance between delivering a humanistic approach to care and the demands incurred by modern machinery. There is an abundance of literature expressing concern over the patient’s environment, including the use of technology.
