Using Informatics in the Clinical Setting
Using Informatics in the Clinical Setting
NURS-6015, Section 3, Information and Healthcare Technologies Applied to Nursing Practice
June 12, 2011 Using Informatics in the Clinical Setting
Information technology, the interpretation and management of information using computers to analyze data, is not a new concept. Computers assist people day-to-day, from simple budgeting using a home computer, to larger management of government budgets and programs. The healthcare industry, especially nursing, has been slow in embracing available technology (Simpson, 2005). Daily, nurses gather data, turn their data into information, and, analyze the information using evidence-based medicine to provide patient care. Computers provide an effective and faster way to process information, share the knowledge derived from the information, and add evidence to the nursing role (Hebda & Czar, 2009). The purpose of this paper is, to evaluate the use of informatics in my clinical area and suggest areas of improvement. Streamlining
Paperwork
Paperwork will always be a part of any health care industry. As informatics evolves, we will undoubtedly find ways to omit paper records altogether. However, there are many times when providing paperwork is necessary: in discharges from hospitals or urgent care settings, visit summaries after office appointments, and for consents requiring signatures. Paperwork is also necessary, when attending meetings where discussion of reports, management of the department, and consideration of future needs of the work area or patients include many participants. Of course, all of this information will undoubtedly end up in a database. In my clinical setting, we have electronic medical records (EMR’s), interoffice email, and instant messaging which alleviates the clutter of paperwork. Many times, before nurse planning meetings, our administrative assistant will make copies of the agenda items, and distribute them prior to the meetings.
NURS-6015, Section 3, Information and Healthcare Technologies Applied to Nursing Practice
June 12, 2011 Using Informatics in the Clinical Setting
Information technology, the interpretation and management of information using computers to analyze data, is not a new concept. Computers assist people day-to-day, from simple budgeting using a home computer, to larger management of government budgets and programs. The healthcare industry, especially nursing, has been slow in embracing available technology (Simpson, 2005). Daily, nurses gather data, turn their data into information, and, analyze the information using evidence-based medicine to provide patient care. Computers provide an effective and faster way to process information, share the knowledge derived from the information, and add evidence to the nursing role (Hebda & Czar, 2009). The purpose of this paper is, to evaluate the use of informatics in my clinical area and suggest areas of improvement. Streamlining
Paperwork
Paperwork will always be a part of any health care industry. As informatics evolves, we will undoubtedly find ways to omit paper records altogether. However, there are many times when providing paperwork is necessary: in discharges from hospitals or urgent care settings, visit summaries after office appointments, and for consents requiring signatures. Paperwork is also necessary, when attending meetings where discussion of reports, management of the department, and consideration of future needs of the work area or patients include many participants. Of course, all of this information will undoubtedly end up in a database. In my clinical setting, we have electronic medical records (EMR’s), interoffice email, and instant messaging which alleviates the clutter of paperwork. Many times, before nurse planning meetings, our administrative assistant will make copies of the agenda items, and distribute them prior to the meetings.
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