Nursing Informatics
Nursing Informatics
Is an established and growing area of specialization in nursing.
All nurses employ information technologies in their practice.
Computers are incredibly fast, accurate and stupid.
Human beings are incredibly slow, inaccurate and brilliant.
Together they are powerful beyond imagination. Albert Einstein
Why do we need to study nurse informatics?
In the 21st century, information is doubling every 5 years, if not tripling in quantity and quality.
Information is POWER
Technology also facilitates the creative process in nurses, affording amazing vehicles for patient education, teaching and learning.
The High Tech and the High Touch
This can only become a common reality if nurses are comfortable working with computers and advanced technology while providing care for their clients.
Healthcare is dependent on information.
Every action taken depends on previous information and knowledge.
What is informatics?
Combined the terms “information” and “automation” which means automatic information processing.
A science that combined domain science, computer science, information science and cognitive science.
Nursing informatics
In 1980, Scholes and Barber applied this new term to the art and science of nursing: “ the application of computer technology to all fields of nursing – nursing services, nurse education and nursing research.”
ANA 2001
Nursing informatics is a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information and knowledge in nursing practice…
Computers in nursing education
Computer assisted education
PDA
LCD
Desktops/laptops
Smartphones
Distance learning
Testing (NCLEX)
Student and course record management.
Computers in nursing practice
Functions: record information, provide access to other departments, manageschedules
Documentation of client status and medical records keeping.
Telehealth
Telecommunications technology to assess, diagnose, and treat at a distance.
Devices: BP, glucometers, peak flow, pulse oximeters, scales, video monitors
Transcend state boundaries.
Biometric technology
Use human characteristics (e.g., fingerprints, retinas, irises, voices, facial patterns) to authenticate or grant access to data or information
Bedside Data entry
Records clients assessments, medication administration, progress notes, care plan updating, client acuity and accrued changes.
Computer based client record
EMRs/CPRs
Provides easy retrieval of data.
Can be designed to work providers about conflicting meds or client parameters that indicate dangerous conditions.
Electronic Access to Clients
Assess and Monitor client’s conditions.
Data storage for research .
Can monitor client
Computerized diagnosis
Telemedicine
Practice Management
Order supplies from other depts.
Determine most costly items used by unit.
Modify budget, staffing, increase efficiency.
Computers in nursing practice
Human resources: employee database, administration services.
Medical records management: Allow client records to be searched for trends, number of cases, client outcomes.
Nursing informaticist: design and implementation of systems that allow such searches to be generated.
Facilities management
heating, AC, ventilation, alarms.
Budget and finance
claims are transmitted more quickly. Can also affect cost-savings by reducing service times.
General definitions
Information literacy
Information technology
Computer literacy
Nursing education and research
Problem Identification
useful in locating current literature and related concepts.
Literature review
software facilitate searches, appropriate terms.
Finding information on the Internet
One study revealed that the best search engines found only 33% of the information available on the internet.
You need to be strategic to be effective.
Purpose-Focus-Approach
Purpose
Why are you doing the search? Why do you need the information?
Focus
Broad and general (basic information for you).
Lay-oriented ( to give to patient)
Professionally oriented (for colleagues)
Narrow and technical with a research orientation
Approach
Broad and general can be found with brute methods or quick and dirty searching.
Lay information can be quickly accessed at a few key sites.
Professional associations are a good starting point for professionally oriented info.
Scientific and research info in scholarly databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE)
Evaluating internet information
Internet is open to anyone with access to a computer.
Specific criteria useful in evaluating a website:
Authority with regard to topic
Author and author’s credentials.
Author’s contact information.
Affiliation of website
Website affiliation
Edu = educational institution
Org = non-profit organization
Com = commercial enterprise
Net = internet service provider
Gov = governmental body
Mil = military
Evaluating information on Internet
Objectivity: purpose clear, information factual or opinion, primary or secondary, sponsor
Accuracy: documentation and referencing
Currency: look for dates, compare with current literature
Usability: well-designed, stable, easy to use. Error –free and readable by intended audience.