Nursing Informatics
NURSING INFORMATICS
and the Foundation of Knowledge
Introduction Nursing informatics is a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice (McGonigle, 2009). Most hospitals now utilize computer systems to track patient health information. The purpose of this paper is to show how a computerized system can help the health care worker provide the best care for the patient by utilizing available programs that when implemented will aide staff in detecting weight gain in a patient with a diagnosis of heart failure.
Concept Map
The patient comes to the unit where admission history information is gathered,
vital signs obtained and a head to toe assessment is completed. The patient has a
diagnosis of hypertension and diabetes which is currently be treated with medication and
is now having signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF). Nurses may
generate and record the data from their own observations or with the assistance of various
devices. In this way, data (often qualitative data that cannot be traditionally measured)
can be organized and processed (McGonigle 2009). More information is needed so the nurse logs onto the hospital computer system and checks the patient’s previous admission history, including previous vital signs, lab
results, and any testing that has been completed in the past few months for comparison.
She also reviews physician notes, dietary, and social services for education given related
to diagnosis of hypertension and diabetes. The nurse sorts through useful information that
pertains to the patient’s current condition and complaints. The nurse notes the patient has
gained some weight, her blood pressure is higher than previous readings and her mother
recently died from complications of CHF. The computer
and the Foundation of Knowledge
Introduction Nursing informatics is a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice (McGonigle, 2009). Most hospitals now utilize computer systems to track patient health information. The purpose of this paper is to show how a computerized system can help the health care worker provide the best care for the patient by utilizing available programs that when implemented will aide staff in detecting weight gain in a patient with a diagnosis of heart failure.
Concept Map
The patient comes to the unit where admission history information is gathered,
vital signs obtained and a head to toe assessment is completed. The patient has a
diagnosis of hypertension and diabetes which is currently be treated with medication and
is now having signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF). Nurses may
generate and record the data from their own observations or with the assistance of various
devices. In this way, data (often qualitative data that cannot be traditionally measured)
can be organized and processed (McGonigle 2009). More information is needed so the nurse logs onto the hospital computer system and checks the patient’s previous admission history, including previous vital signs, lab
results, and any testing that has been completed in the past few months for comparison.
She also reviews physician notes, dietary, and social services for education given related
to diagnosis of hypertension and diabetes. The nurse sorts through useful information that
pertains to the patient’s current condition and complaints. The nurse notes the patient has
gained some weight, her blood pressure is higher than previous readings and her mother
recently died from complications of CHF. The computer
References: Answers.com. Cerner Corporation, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2012 from; http://www.answers.com/topic/cerner-corporation. Heart Failure Matters, 2012 Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN), (2009). Quality and safety competencies