The potential of expert systems in nursing.

The newly emerging technology of expert systems will not replace nursing decision-makers and problem-solvers, but it does promise to serve them as effective "intelligent assistants." An examination of what expert systems are, where expert systems are being used, whether they are possible and economically feasible in nursing, and the benefits, limitations, and future of expert systems, suggest that there is the potential for the development and use of expert systems in some areas of nursing practice, administration, and education. It is the role of nursing administrators to identify and to support the development of those applications that are the most promising.