Nursing Infomatics

As part of the multidisciplinary team tasked with investigating a new computerized management system for the hospital, I have completed some research into the subject. As I looked into the products I asked myself some questions before selecting a product. Namely; how computerized management systems could increase quality of care. Why active nursing involvement in planning, choice, and implementation of the system is important. How handheld devices used by nursing staff can be integrated into the management system for better quality of care. I will discuss the security standards of data and patient confidentiality, including the need for data storage integrity and data backup and recovery and how HIPPA requirements impact the use of the system. How can the new system affect healthcare cost? What benefits these new systems can offer patient care and nursing care delivery. After answering these questions I can make a recommendation on a product that I feel will meet the needs of our hospital.
How can using computerized management systems increase the quality of care? Computerized systems organize data into useful information. This information can then be easily compiled to identify opportunities for improvement. Data like HCAHPS and Core Measures mandated by CMS can be easily compiled and reported. That information then becomes available to the public. In the patient care setting as nurses chart they can be given prompts and reminders to complete certain tasks. For example, pain management. When a pain medication is given a reassessment of the patient’s pain is to be conducted within 60 minutes. When the nurse accesses the patient electronic chart they would be reminded to complete the reassessment. Charting can be done at the bedside giving the nurse more time with the patient. There are many resources available to the nurse. Before computer resources at the bed side the nurse had to leave the patient’s room, find a book or other written material,

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