Nursing - Informatics World
Nursing-Informatics Questions and Answers
a. What is Nursing Informatics?
Nursing Informatics is a career that focuses on finding ways to improve information management and communication nursing to improve efficiency, reduce costs and enhance the quality of patient care. (Nursing-informatics Notes; page 7-9)
It is a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge and wisdom in nursing practice. Nursing Informatics supports patients, nurses and other health care providers in their decision making and all roles and settings. This support is accomplished through the used of information technology and information structures, which organize data, information and knowledge for processing by computers. (Nursing-informatics Notes; page 7-9)
All through out, Nursing Informatics is the integration of nursing, its information and information management with information processing and communication technology, to support the health of people worldwide.
It is a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge and wisdom in nursing practice. Nursing Informatics supports patients, nurses and other health care providers in their decision making and all roles and settings. This support is accomplished through the used of information technology and information structures, which organize data, information and knowledge for processing by computers. (Nursing-informatics Notes; page 7-9)
All through out, Nursing Informatics is the integration of nursing, its information and information management with information processing and communication technology, to support the health of people worldwide.
b. What you had learned during your Nursing Informatics Class?
Nursing Informatics Class was one of my first computer subject ever that deals all about computers, information technology and communication process in nursing practice.
Aside from computer basic knowledge, I learned so many things from our nursing Informatics Class. I learned how to manipulate computers with the used of common sense. Common sense is the best thing that a person must achieve in our own way in order to develop our thinking capacity.
Learning with this, also developed my knowledge all about the world of computers, information technology and communication process in nursing practice inside the hospitals. I never thought that this high-technology generation comes in the hospital. I was enlighten with this Nursing Informatics that there were technologies that can really help those nurses and other health care provider in giving full care to the patients. there are computer system that simply duplicates the the performance of a manual system with lower costs of maintenance. With the help of the Nursing-Informatics, it really enhances the health care and delivery service easier. A health care provider can do her job directly which they can give their fully best care to their patient.
All through out, I really thankful to for the new curriculum and most especially to our Professor because without them maybe we are just like innocent that we do not know the world of information technology in nursing practice in the world of the hospital.
Aside from computer basic knowledge, I learned so many things from our nursing Informatics Class. I learned how to manipulate computers with the used of common sense. Common sense is the best thing that a person must achieve in our own way in order to develop our thinking capacity.
Learning with this, also developed my knowledge all about the world of computers, information technology and communication process in nursing practice inside the hospitals. I never thought that this high-technology generation comes in the hospital. I was enlighten with this Nursing Informatics that there were technologies that can really help those nurses and other health care provider in giving full care to the patients. there are computer system that simply duplicates the the performance of a manual system with lower costs of maintenance. With the help of the Nursing-Informatics, it really enhances the health care and delivery service easier. A health care provider can do her job directly which they can give their fully best care to their patient.
All through out, I really thankful to for the new curriculum and most especially to our Professor because without them maybe we are just like innocent that we do not know the world of information technology in nursing practice in the world of the hospital.
c. Describe/define the following:
Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS)
Clinical Decision Support Systems(CDSS) maybe defined as any computer program that helps health professional make clinical decisions. CDSS software has a knowledge base designed for the clinician involved in patient care to aid in clinical decision-making. Johnston et al (1994) defined CDSS as “computer software employing a knowledge base designed decision-making.”(Reference: Nursing-informatics Notes; page 52)
Sims et al (2001) broadened the definition to “CDSS” are software designed to be a direct aid to clinical decision-making, in which the characteristics of an individual patient are matched to a computerized clinical knowledge base and patient-specific assessments or recommendations are then presented to the clinician or the patient for a decision”. (Reference: Nursing-informatics Notes; page 53)
Coiera (1994) discussed the role of CDSS as augmenting human performance and providing assistance for healthcare providers especially for tasks subject to human error. (Reference: Nursing-informatics Notes; page 54)
Whatever definition chosen, it seems clear that healthcare is being transformed through information and knowledge management and technology is being used to “tame data and transform information”(Berner, 1999). (Nursing-informatics Notes; page 54)
Automated Dispensing Cabinet (ADC)
Automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) are decentralized medication distribution systems that provide computer-controlled storage, dispensing, and tracking of medications at the point-of-care in patient care units. This technology was introduced in hospitals in the late 1980s. Although adoption of the technology started slowly, as of 2007, more than 80% of hospitals use ADCs to replace manual floor stock systems and/or medication carts that previously held a 24-hour supply of patient-specific medications in individual patient cassettes. (Reference: Institute for Safe Medication Practice)
Computer Prescriber Order Entry (CPOE)
Several analyses have detected substantial quality problems throughout the health care system. Information technology has consistently been identified as an important component of any approach for improvement. Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) is a promising technology that allows physicians to enter orders into a computer instead of handwriting them. Because CPOE fundamentally changes the ordering process, it can substantially decrease the overuse, underuse, and misuse of health care services. Studies have documented that CPOE can decrease costs, shorten length of stay, decrease medical errors, and improve compliance with several types of guidelines. The costs of CPOE are substantial both in terms of technology and organizational process analysis and redesign, system implementation, and user training and support. Computerized physician order entry is a relatively new technology, and there is no consensus on the best approaches to many of the challenges it presents. This technology can yield many significant benefits and is an important platform for future changes to the health care system. Organizational leaders must advocate for CPOE as a critical tool in improving health care quality. (Reference: National Center for Biotechnology Information)
Bar code-enabled point-of-care (BPOC)
The ruling smooths the way for widespread adoption of bar-code-enabled point-of-care (BPOC) systems, which are a valuable tool for reducing medication errors. BPOC systems help ensure that the right medications reach the right patient at the right time by allowing bar codes on a patient's ID wristband to be checked against the medication packaging. But BPOC systems will only become truly effective if medications are widely available in unit-dose packaging. Right now only about a third of all medications are available in this form. Although this situation is likely to improve, hospitals wanting to take advantage of BPOC technology soon may need to do some drug repackaging themselves (or have it done by a third party), along with a lot of other groundwork. Widespread BPOC use may still be several years away, but the time to start preparing is now.(Reference: National Center for Biotechnology Information)
Healthcare Information Systems (HIS)
Health Care Information Systems is a primary text on the effective use of data and information technology to improve organizational performance in health care settings. This book provides the fundamental knowledge and tools that students need to manage information and information resources effectively within a variety of health care organizations. Students will gain insight into the origins and uses of health information and learn about a variety of health information systems in use today, with a focus on electronic medical record systems. This book provides key principles, methods, and applications necessary to provide access to timely, complete, accurate, legible, and relevant health care information. (References: Pam Pohly's Net Guide)
Clinical Decision Support Systems(CDSS) maybe defined as any computer program that helps health professional make clinical decisions. CDSS software has a knowledge base designed for the clinician involved in patient care to aid in clinical decision-making. Johnston et al (1994) defined CDSS as “computer software employing a knowledge base designed decision-making.”(Reference: Nursing-informatics Notes; page 52)
Sims et al (2001) broadened the definition to “CDSS” are software designed to be a direct aid to clinical decision-making, in which the characteristics of an individual patient are matched to a computerized clinical knowledge base and patient-specific assessments or recommendations are then presented to the clinician or the patient for a decision”. (Reference: Nursing-informatics Notes; page 53)
Coiera (1994) discussed the role of CDSS as augmenting human performance and providing assistance for healthcare providers especially for tasks subject to human error. (Reference: Nursing-informatics Notes; page 54)
Whatever definition chosen, it seems clear that healthcare is being transformed through information and knowledge management and technology is being used to “tame data and transform information”(Berner, 1999). (Nursing-informatics Notes; page 54)
Automated Dispensing Cabinet (ADC)
Automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) are decentralized medication distribution systems that provide computer-controlled storage, dispensing, and tracking of medications at the point-of-care in patient care units. This technology was introduced in hospitals in the late 1980s. Although adoption of the technology started slowly, as of 2007, more than 80% of hospitals use ADCs to replace manual floor stock systems and/or medication carts that previously held a 24-hour supply of patient-specific medications in individual patient cassettes. (Reference: Institute for Safe Medication Practice)
Computer Prescriber Order Entry (CPOE)
Several analyses have detected substantial quality problems throughout the health care system. Information technology has consistently been identified as an important component of any approach for improvement. Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) is a promising technology that allows physicians to enter orders into a computer instead of handwriting them. Because CPOE fundamentally changes the ordering process, it can substantially decrease the overuse, underuse, and misuse of health care services. Studies have documented that CPOE can decrease costs, shorten length of stay, decrease medical errors, and improve compliance with several types of guidelines. The costs of CPOE are substantial both in terms of technology and organizational process analysis and redesign, system implementation, and user training and support. Computerized physician order entry is a relatively new technology, and there is no consensus on the best approaches to many of the challenges it presents. This technology can yield many significant benefits and is an important platform for future changes to the health care system. Organizational leaders must advocate for CPOE as a critical tool in improving health care quality. (Reference: National Center for Biotechnology Information)
Bar code-enabled point-of-care (BPOC)
The ruling smooths the way for widespread adoption of bar-code-enabled point-of-care (BPOC) systems, which are a valuable tool for reducing medication errors. BPOC systems help ensure that the right medications reach the right patient at the right time by allowing bar codes on a patient's ID wristband to be checked against the medication packaging. But BPOC systems will only become truly effective if medications are widely available in unit-dose packaging. Right now only about a third of all medications are available in this form. Although this situation is likely to improve, hospitals wanting to take advantage of BPOC technology soon may need to do some drug repackaging themselves (or have it done by a third party), along with a lot of other groundwork. Widespread BPOC use may still be several years away, but the time to start preparing is now.(Reference: National Center for Biotechnology Information)
Healthcare Information Systems (HIS)
Health Care Information Systems is a primary text on the effective use of data and information technology to improve organizational performance in health care settings. This book provides the fundamental knowledge and tools that students need to manage information and information resources effectively within a variety of health care organizations. Students will gain insight into the origins and uses of health information and learn about a variety of health information systems in use today, with a focus on electronic medical record systems. This book provides key principles, methods, and applications necessary to provide access to timely, complete, accurate, legible, and relevant health care information. (References: Pam Pohly's Net Guide)
d. Define the terms electronic health record (EHR), distinguish it from the electronic health record system (EHR-S).
Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a suite of software applications designed to improve quality of care and patient safety in I/T/U facilities. It provides a graphical user interface (GUI) "front end" to the robust RPMS database, which permits improved access to important clinical information, direct entry of data by clinicians and other users, and clinical decision support tools at the point of care. (References: Indian Health Service)
While, Digital records kept by your doctor's office, your insurance company or the facilities where you are a patient, are called EHRs (electronic health records) or EMRs (electronic medical records.) Both names are used interchangeably.
Born of Health Information Technology, EMR systems are intended to keep track of a patient's entire health and medical history in a computerized, electronic format. By keeping these potentially vast records in this manner, they are more easily retrievable, and can make a patient's navigation through the healthcare system much safer and more efficient.
EMRs have not been adopted nearly so quickly in the US as one might expect. Lack of organization, and issues of security and privacy have stood in the way of their implementation.
EMRs are comprised of two kinds of records. Older records, generally pre-2000, are usually scanned and stored in a graphic format or pdf. These might include anything from doctors' notes to x-rays or other test results such as ultrasounds or MRIs. Since some of those records were recorded by hand, some may be illegible.
More recent records may be electronically native. That means they were never stored in any fashion except as a digital record. If your doctor records notes as you talk, or if you are issued a prescription from a computer printer, then your current records are being kept natively in digital form.
The federal government has defined a complete EMR system as containing four basic functions: computerized orders for prescriptions, computerized orders for tests, reporting of test results, and physician notes. An individual doctor's practice, facility or insurance company's system determines on its own which of those records will be kept, making it more or less complete. Federal definition has not resulted in a standard (Torrey, 2008).
While, Digital records kept by your doctor's office, your insurance company or the facilities where you are a patient, are called EHRs (electronic health records) or EMRs (electronic medical records.) Both names are used interchangeably.
Born of Health Information Technology, EMR systems are intended to keep track of a patient's entire health and medical history in a computerized, electronic format. By keeping these potentially vast records in this manner, they are more easily retrievable, and can make a patient's navigation through the healthcare system much safer and more efficient.
EMRs have not been adopted nearly so quickly in the US as one might expect. Lack of organization, and issues of security and privacy have stood in the way of their implementation.
EMRs are comprised of two kinds of records. Older records, generally pre-2000, are usually scanned and stored in a graphic format or pdf. These might include anything from doctors' notes to x-rays or other test results such as ultrasounds or MRIs. Since some of those records were recorded by hand, some may be illegible.
More recent records may be electronically native. That means they were never stored in any fashion except as a digital record. If your doctor records notes as you talk, or if you are issued a prescription from a computer printer, then your current records are being kept natively in digital form.
The federal government has defined a complete EMR system as containing four basic functions: computerized orders for prescriptions, computerized orders for tests, reporting of test results, and physician notes. An individual doctor's practice, facility or insurance company's system determines on its own which of those records will be kept, making it more or less complete. Federal definition has not resulted in a standard (Torrey, 2008).
e. Define the concept nursing minimum data set (NMDS).
The Nursing Minimum Data Set (NMDS) represents the first attempt to standardize the collection of essential nursing data. These minimum core data, used on a regular basis by the majority of nurses in the delivery of care across settings, can provide an accurate description of nursing diagnoses, nursing care, and nursing resources used. Collected on an ongoing basis, a standardized nursing data base will enable nurses to compare data across populations, settings, geographic areas, and time. Public health nurses will be able to evaluate and compare services. The purpose of this article is to discuss briefly the following aspects of the NMDS: background including definition, purposes, and elements; availability and reliability of the data; benefits; implications of the NMDS with emphasis on nursing research; and health policy decision making (Reference: National Center for Biotechnology Information)
