Health Information Technology, Research & Reflections.
Nurses play multiple roles with regard to the informatics that supports healthcare. These roles differ depending on their position and their skills and knowledge base. Informatics includes “the use of information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making” (Masters, 2015, 306). This definition highlights the broad scope of informatics in healthcare and its impact on various aspects of nursing practice. This can be illustrated with regard to Helen, a new graduate of nursing school; Paul, a registered nurse in the neurosurgery unit with ten years of experience who provides direct patient care; and Lisa, a nurse manager responsible for nursing operations. Each of these nurses exemplifies how informatics is integrated into different levels of nursing practice. Each has complementary responsibilities that ensure the systems can benefit patient care in nursing.
Helen has recently become a nurse and been hired to work in the medical nursing unit. As a new graduate, Helen is eager to learn and apply informatics in her daily work. Helen uses informatics in her work, and most of her responsibilities currently are input. Her primary focus is on accurately entering patient data into various systems. Her responsibilities include becoming a competent user of the many informatics systems which are used at the hospital. These systems are essential tools for efficient and safe patient care. Such systems might include a bar code medication administration (BCMA) system, electronic medical records (EMR). These systems streamline workflows and improve communication among healthcare providers. She also accesses information such as the scheduling system to see when she is working. Informatics systems help nurses manage their time effectively and ensure they are available for their scheduled shifts. As a recent graduate she is also aware of the more technical aspects of informatics, including the research which uses the data from the systems. Helen understands the importance of data accuracy for research purposes and its potential to advance nursing practice. For this reason she always ensures the information she enters is accurate, as this will benefit the data which is used as evidence for research which can innovate on current practices.
Paul, the RN who has significant experience and works in the neurosurgery unit, also chairs the unit’s nursing council to improve patient care. Paul’s leadership role allows him to leverage informatics to enhance patient safety and quality of care. Paul may therefore be interested in researching and communicating to the council recent findings in nursing research so that the latest evidence can be implemented in practice. Informatics facilitates the dissemination of research findings and supports evidence-based practice. Paul also uses informatics when he implements best practices in relation to the many technologies in the neurosurgery unit. Informatics plays a crucial role in integrating new technologies and ensuring their safe and effective use in complex surgical settings. In order to ensure patient safety while the surgeon is using the microscope, various machines and informatics based techniques assist the scrub nurse to maintain situational awareness while assisting with surgery (Afkari, Bednarik, Mäkelä & Eivazi, 2016). These informatics-driven tools enhance communication and coordination among the surgical team, minimizing risks and improving patient outcomes. As with Helen, Paul must be trained and competent in the use of nursing informatics systems which administrate day to day operations, including reporting for the patient’s EMR and BCMA. Mastering these systems is essential for Paul to effectively perform his clinical duties and contribute to the unit’s overall efficiency. Because of his position as chair of the patient safety council for his unit Paul also has informatics responsibilities in relation to reviewing the work of others which is often based in data as well as determining design of data capture for inquiries relating to patient safety. Paul’s informatics expertise extends to data analysis and quality improvement initiatives, ensuring a safe and reliable healthcare environment.
Lisa, the nurse manager, leads the intensive care units and this includes multiple roles in relation to informatics. Lisa’s leadership role encompasses strategic planning and oversight of informatics systems within her units. Lisa has responsibility for ensuring that informatics systems are working properly. This involves monitoring system performance, addressing technical issues, and ensuring data integrity. This includes ensuring that new recruits and staff are trained in and competent in the use of these systems. Lisa recognizes the importance of ongoing education and training to keep staff up-to-date with evolving informatics technologies. Lisa also uses informatics to research information relating to questions for other health care professionals or to provide excellence in operations and the provision of patient care (Collins, 2014). Informatics empowers Lisa to access evidence-based information and make informed decisions that optimize patient care. She uses informatics in order to schedule staff and determine budgetary considerations relating to human resources (Collins, 2014). Informatics tools assist Lisa in managing staffing levels, allocating resources efficiently, and ensuring cost-effectiveness within her units. This may involve the use of research and calculations by Lisa or her staff, but it likely also includes the use of business intelligence systems (Collins, 2014). Business intelligence systems provide Lisa with valuable data insights to support decision-making and improve operational efficiency.
Just like nursing itself, there are multiple and different roles that must be carried out with regard to informatics in nursing. The diverse roles of nurses in informatics reflect the multifaceted nature of healthcare and the need for a skilled and knowledgeable workforce. There are responsibilities that all nurses share, such as ensuring competency through training before using systems, input of information and how and why to access information in informatics systems. These fundamental responsibilities form the foundation of safe and effective informatics use in nursing practice. There are also specialized systems in each area and various responsibilities for nurses who work in those areas. Nurses with specialized knowledge and skills contribute to the advancement of informatics in their respective fields, driving innovation and improving patient care.
