The Impact of Emerging Technologies on Patient Safety: The Role of Nursing

Abstract

The growing incorporation of technology into healthcare has significantly transformed clinical practice, particularly in patient safety, by enabling more effective and precise interventions through tools such as the Electronic Health Record (EHR), mobile applications, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This study aimed to describe the impact of these technologies on patient safety and to assess the challenges faced by nursing in their implementation. A descriptive literature review was conducted, with the selection of studies published in the SciELO and PubMed databases. The main findings showed that the EHR contributes to information integration, reducing errors and improving decision-making; mobile applications assist in communication, health education, and the prevention of adverse events; and AI enhances processes, minimizes failures, and supports complex clinical decisions. However, implementation barriers were also identified, such as professional resistance, lack of training, and technical challenges. It is concluded that, although the benefits of these technologies for patient safety are evident, their effective application depends on continuous training, system integration, and institutional support. Nursing, as a central profession on the front lines of care, must be prepared to engage with these innovations, applying them critically and ethically to enhance positive outcomes in clinical practice.