Read: Updates in the Role of Health IT in Patient Safety

Posted: May 5th, 2020

Read: Updates in the Role of Health IT in Patient Safety | PSNet (ahrq.gov)
After reading, please answer the following questions.
1. How would you describe the relationship between nursing and informatics? (1 paragraph)
2. How have you used information technology and management tools at work to support clinical decision-making, error prevention, and care coordination? (3 paragraphs)
3. Research a new, innovative way information technology impacts patient outcomes. Summarize your findings. (2 paragraphs)
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Relationship between Nursing and Informatics

The relationship between nursing and informatics is essential for achieving patient safety and improving healthcare outcomes. Informatics is the integration of nursing science with information technology to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom to support nursing practice, education, research, and administration. Nurses are the frontline healthcare providers, who collect and document patient data, monitor patient progress, and make clinical decisions to provide quality care. Informatics tools such as electronic health records (EHRs), clinical decision support systems (CDSS), and patient monitoring devices can help nurses to access, analyze, and interpret patient information quickly and accurately. By using informatics tools, nurses can improve their workflow, reduce errors, and enhance patient outcomes.

Using Information Technology and Management Tools to Support Clinical Decision-making, Error Prevention, and Care Coordination

Information technology and management tools can support clinical decision-making by providing timely and accurate patient data, facilitating communication and collaboration among healthcare providers, and suggesting evidence-based treatment options. For example, CDSS can alert healthcare providers to potential drug interactions or allergies and provide recommendations for appropriate medications and dosages. Electronic medication administration records (eMARs) can reduce medication errors by ensuring that the right medication is given to the right patient at the right time.

Information technology and management tools can also support error prevention by providing alerts and reminders to healthcare providers, automating manual processes, and improving patient identification and tracking. For example, barcoding technology can help ensure that patients receive the correct medication and that blood samples are accurately labeled and tracked. Patient identification technology can prevent errors in diagnostic testing and surgical procedures by ensuring that the right patient is being treated.

Information technology and management tools can support care coordination by providing a unified view of patient information, facilitating communication among healthcare providers, and ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate care. For example, EHRs can provide healthcare providers with a complete view of a patient’s medical history, test results, and treatment plans. Telehealth and telemedicine technology can facilitate communication and collaboration among healthcare providers across different locations and time zones.

Innovative Impact of Information Technology on Patient Outcomes

One innovative way that information technology is impacting patient outcomes is through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms. AI and ML can analyze vast amounts of patient data to identify patterns and predict patient outcomes. For example, AI algorithms can predict which patients are at high risk of readmission, sepsis, or other complications, allowing healthcare providers to intervene early and prevent adverse outcomes. AI and ML can also improve diagnosis and treatment decisions by providing real-time decision support based on patient data, research evidence, and clinical guidelines.

Another innovative way that information technology is impacting patient outcomes is through the use of mobile health (mHealth) applications. mHealth apps can help patients manage their chronic conditions, monitor their symptoms, and receive personalized education and support. For example, diabetes management apps can track blood glucose levels, provide medication reminders, and suggest healthy meal options. Mental health apps can provide cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness exercises, and peer support. By engaging patients in their own care, mHealth apps can improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

Reference:

Blumenthal, D. (2010). Launching HITECH. New England Journal of Medicine, 362(5), 382-385. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMp0912825