Informatics and Health Information Technology

A collection of key terms and concepts related to informatics and health information technology relevant to nursing practice.

Health Information Technology (HIT)

IT used specifically for healthcare, involving the processing, storage, and exchange of health information in an electronic environment.

Patient Health Record (PHR)

A standalone record where patients fill in information from their own records, stored on their own computers or the internet.

Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)

An initiative aimed to improve nursing education to deliver safe and quality care.

Health literacy

Focuses on health-related and interactive communication with health professionals.

Information literacy

The ability to find, analyze, and interpret information for use.

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)

Measurement and/or transmission of patient data to monitor health conditions.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

A law providing protection, confidentiality, and privacy of patient data.

Telehealth

The use of electronic communications to provide healthcare services remotely.

Telenursing

The use of telehealth to provide home nursing care.

E-learning

Learning through electronic resources, often accessed at any time and place.

Bloom’s Taxonomy

A classification of learning objectives that includes lower-order and higher-order thinking skills.

Lower-Order Thinking Skills (LOTS)

Includes remembering, understanding, and applying.

Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)

Includes analyzing, evaluating, and creating.

Professional Code of Ethics for Nurses

Statements of professionalism values and beliefs that guide nursing practice.

Beneficence

The ethical principle of doing what is best for the individual.

Nonmaleficence

The ethical principle of doing no harm.

Justice

The ethical principle of being fair.

Veracity

The ethical principle of telling the truth.

Fidelity

The ethical principle of being honest and keeping promises.