Nursing Informatics
NUT 724.4.3-01-08
(name)
Western Governors University
NUT 724.4.3-01-08
Health care costs are rising, quality of care is declining, lines and waiting times are getting longer which is causing more errors in healthcare. But the healthcare reform is working on changing all of that and bringing the countries healthcare into the 21st century. This paper will explore how computerized healthcare systems increase quality of care, keep patient information accessible yet safe, the challenges on costs, and will compare two separate systems and evaluate each with a recommendation of one for use.
Quality of care is important for anyone who accesses the healthcare system. This can become difficult when patients are seen in different healthcare systems, or even from the primary care setting to the hospital setting. Computerized management systems (CMS) make a patients visit to any area safer. Any provider with access can see all of the patient’s records at any given time and in an organized fashion. Providers will have prior tests, medications, and past medical history all at their fingertips to provide more accurate care and quicker care. All of this will lead to fewer mistakes and quicker diagnosis. If continuity of care is increased, quality of care will also be increased.
Nursing involvement in the development of CMS is extremely important. The ratio of nurses to any other hospital staff using the system is much greater, thus nursing should have the biggest influence on planning and use. Nursing staff is well aware of any faults with paper records as many hours are spent on clinical documentation and not on patient care (Rein, 2011, para. 3). Nursing staff is also on the ‘frontline’ listening to the complaints and concerns from patients. They know what it would take to improve the communities view on healthcare. Nurses are also the ones who can convey a more positive attitude about the system if they have been involved in design and
(name)
Western Governors University
NUT 724.4.3-01-08
Health care costs are rising, quality of care is declining, lines and waiting times are getting longer which is causing more errors in healthcare. But the healthcare reform is working on changing all of that and bringing the countries healthcare into the 21st century. This paper will explore how computerized healthcare systems increase quality of care, keep patient information accessible yet safe, the challenges on costs, and will compare two separate systems and evaluate each with a recommendation of one for use.
Quality of care is important for anyone who accesses the healthcare system. This can become difficult when patients are seen in different healthcare systems, or even from the primary care setting to the hospital setting. Computerized management systems (CMS) make a patients visit to any area safer. Any provider with access can see all of the patient’s records at any given time and in an organized fashion. Providers will have prior tests, medications, and past medical history all at their fingertips to provide more accurate care and quicker care. All of this will lead to fewer mistakes and quicker diagnosis. If continuity of care is increased, quality of care will also be increased.
Nursing involvement in the development of CMS is extremely important. The ratio of nurses to any other hospital staff using the system is much greater, thus nursing should have the biggest influence on planning and use. Nursing staff is well aware of any faults with paper records as many hours are spent on clinical documentation and not on patient care (Rein, 2011, para. 3). Nursing staff is also on the ‘frontline’ listening to the complaints and concerns from patients. They know what it would take to improve the communities view on healthcare. Nurses are also the ones who can convey a more positive attitude about the system if they have been involved in design and
References: EMR Benefits and Return on Investment Categories. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.informatics-review.com/wiki/index.php/EMR_Benefits_and_Return_on_Investment_Categories EMR system: Cost effective and financially beneficial for the medical practice. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.medi101.com/2011/08/emr-system-cost-effective-and-financially-beneficial-for-the-medical-practice/ HIPAA Compliance and Data Protection. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.intronis.com/resources/whitepapers/HIPAA-compliance.php Haig, S. (2009, March 5). Electronic Medical Records: Will They Really Cut Costs? []. Time. Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1883002-2,00.html Johnson, C. (2008). Nurses and the Use of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) at the Point of Care. Scroll, Essays on the Design of Electronic Text. Toronto, Canada. Rein, A. (2011, December 6). Early and Often: Engaging Nurses in Health IT [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.rwjf.org/en/blogs/human-capital-blog/2011/12/early-and-often-engaging-nurses-in-health-it.html