Discussion response

NursingInformatics.docx

Interaction Between Nursing Informaticists and Other Specialties

Nursing informatics, data collection, and technology have drastically changed nursing into what it is today. Of course, we have nursing pioneers, such as Florance Nightingale, who taught fundamentals such as hand washing and the first hospitals with nuns caring for the sick (Florance Nightingale Museum, n.d.). Patient care looks a lot different now. My oncology unit looks like an ICU unit did years ago. I once was told by a physician whom I respect very much that when he started his career, the ICU looked like an acute care unit does now, and all our ICU patients would have been dead due to the lack of instruments and knowledge we have now. I greatly credit technology, data, and nurse informaticists for the improvement.

The hospital where I work uses Epic for charting and Beacan as the oncology extender for all things relating to Oncology (Epic, 2024). The transition from one to the other is seamless and very efficient. I do remember being a student and having to do paper charting. I also remember having locked boxes for all narcotics and controlled medications. Now we have Pixies MedStations. “The system helps clinicians dispense medications in a safe, efficient way and provides enterprise-ready integration capabilities previously not seen in other medication management systems.” (Becton Dickinson, 2024). I will have to say that my favorite is nursing protocols that have been established from data collection on evidence-based practice. Data collection and nurse informaticists have helped with the creation of many protocols that I use daily. For example, a neutropenic patient with a fever needs rapid action. We have a neutropenic fever protocol. With this protocol, there is no need to contact the primary care provider and try to get a hold of the oncologist. The nurse immediately follows the protocol, gets all the labs and images ordered, and then contacts the oncologist for further treatment and review of results. The time saved saves lives, and following an evidence-based practice protocol allows the nurse to look at the big picture and move away from a checklist, creating more in-depth care. As stated by Lockhart, “Nurse-driven protocols allow qualified nursing professionals to have autonomy in their specific area. These protocols improve safety, increase staff satisfaction, and foster efficiency in care delivery.” (Lockhart Lisa, 2020 October).

An area of improvement can be for different data collection platforms to be able to share information. Providence uses Epic and a type of My Chart run by Epic. However, only some systems communicate with each other. For a caregiver living in a small community with few specialists, requesting records that can only be obtained via fax is very frustrating. Technology is improving, and we are seeing different providers able to access notes and images across different platforms. There is still more that can be done and room for improvement in this area.

As I mentioned before, new technologies and data collection are crucial in saving lives and creating space for autonomy for the nurse. ICU patients can be treated now due to advances that did not exist years ago. We can do more because our focus and time can be spent on something other than paper charting, medication storage, etc. Embracing technology is not easy, yet it is critical for the improvement of healthcare.

References

Epic (2024). Specialty Care. A connected team with the patient at the heart, driving quality and safety across specialized settings. https://www.epic.com/software/specialty-care/Links to an external site.

Becton Dickinson (2024). Pyxis MedStation ES System. https://www.bd.com/en-za/our-products/medication-management/medication-technologies/pyxis-medstation-es-system

Florance Nightingale Museum (n.d.). Statistics and Evidence-Based Healthcare. https://www.florence-nightingale.co.uk/florence-in-her-own-words-hand-washing/Links to an external site.

Lockhart, L. M., MSN, R., NE-BC (2020, October). Nurse-driven protocols.

https://journals.lww.com/nursingmadeincrediblyeasy/fulltext/2020/09000/nurse_driven_protocols.10.aspx#:~:text=A%3A%20Nurse%2Ddriven%20protocols%20allow,foster%20efficiency%20in%20care%20deliveryLinks to an external site. .

TechnologySpecialist.docx

Technology specialists and nurse informaticist might collaborate with IT staff to develop and deploy data analytics tools that support evidence-based decision-making and quality improvement efforts across different departments. Nurse informaticists may partner with nurses and physicians to enhance the utilization of electronic health record (EHR) systems, ensuring that documentation practices are in line with clinical workflows and regulatory standards (Sipes, 2016). Interdisciplinary teams often collaborate to conceptualize and implement innovative technology solutions aimed at improving patient care delivery, such as mobile health applications or telehealth platforms.

The integration of mobile phones has transformed the landscape of Health Information Technology (HIT) across various care delivery environments, providing access to comprehensive health information and extensive customization options (Ng et al., 2018). My current nursing position uses mobile devices for nurses to communicate with families, other nurses, physicians, and other health professionals involved in their patients care. Most recently, my hospital rolled out the EPIC Rover application, which was added on our designated mobile devices. This application allows the nurse to access the patient’s EHR, and even gives the ability to scan medications, feeds, as if they were using the computer on wheels. Having this access at our fingertips has made providing care to our patients easier, do the convince of the EHR access.

A method for enhancing collaboration among nurse informaticists, data or technology specialists, and other professionals within a healthcare institution involves organizing routine interdisciplinary meetings or working groups. These meetings serve as platforms for team members to exchange ideas, address issues, and generate solutions collectively. Fostering a culture of interprofessional collaboration and mutual respect facilitates the sharing of knowledge and promotes innovation, ultimately resulting in the more efficient implementation of informatics solutions and technology projects (Mosier et. al, 2019).

The evolving field of nursing informatics and the introduction of new technologies are expected to significantly influence professional dynamics within healthcare organizations. Nurse informaticists, who adapt at utilizing data and technology to enhance patient care, will play a crucial role in bridging the gap between clinical practice and information technology. Additionally, the integration of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning will necessitate collaborative efforts across disciplines to fully maximize their benefits. Embracing interdisciplinary collaboration and fostering a culture of innovation will enable professionals to harness technology's transformative potential, ultimately leading to positive changes in patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.

References

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2022). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Mosier, S., Roberts, W. D., & Englebright, J. (2019). A Systems-Level Method for Developing Nursing Informatics Solutions: The Role of Executive Leadership. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(11), 543-548.

Ng, Y. C., Alexander, S., & Frith, K. H. (2018). Integration of Mobile Health Applications in Health Information Technology Initiatives. Expanding Opportunities for Nurse Participation in Population Health. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 36(5), 209-213.

Sipes, C. (2016). Project management: Essential skill of nurse informaticists. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 225, 252-256.

NursingInformatics.docx

Interaction Between Nursing Informaticists and Other Specialties

Nursing informatics, data collection, and technology have drastically changed nursing into what it is today. Of course, we have nursing pioneers, such as Florance Nightingale, who taught fundamentals such as hand washing and the first hospitals with nuns caring for the sick (Florance Nightingale Museum, n.d.). Patient care looks a lot different now. My oncology unit looks like an ICU unit did years ago. I once was told by a physician whom I respect very much that when he started his career, the ICU looked like an acute care unit does now, and all our ICU patients would have been dead due to the lack of instruments and knowledge we have now. I greatly credit technology, data, and nurse informaticists for the improvement.

The hospital where I work uses Epic for charting and Beacan as the oncology extender for all things relating to Oncology (Epic, 2024). The transition from one to the other is seamless and very efficient. I do remember being a student and having to do paper charting. I also remember having locked boxes for all narcotics and controlled medications. Now we have Pixies MedStations. “The system helps clinicians dispense medications in a safe, efficient way and provides enterprise-ready integration capabilities previously not seen in other medication management systems.” (Becton Dickinson, 2024). I will have to say that my favorite is nursing protocols that have been established from data collection on evidence-based practice. Data collection and nurse informaticists have helped with the creation of many protocols that I use daily. For example, a neutropenic patient with a fever needs rapid action. We have a neutropenic fever protocol. With this protocol, there is no need to contact the primary care provider and try to get a hold of the oncologist. The nurse immediately follows the protocol, gets all the labs and images ordered, and then contacts the oncologist for further treatment and review of results. The time saved saves lives, and following an evidence-based practice protocol allows the nurse to look at the big picture and move away from a checklist, creating more in-depth care. As stated by Lockhart, “Nurse-driven protocols allow qualified nursing professionals to have autonomy in their specific area. These protocols improve safety, increase staff satisfaction, and foster efficiency in care delivery.” (Lockhart Lisa, 2020 October).

An area of improvement can be for different data collection platforms to be able to share information. Providence uses Epic and a type of My Chart run by Epic. However, only some systems communicate with each other. For a caregiver living in a small community with few specialists, requesting records that can only be obtained via fax is very frustrating. Technology is improving, and we are seeing different providers able to access notes and images across different platforms. There is still more that can be done and room for improvement in this area.

As I mentioned before, new technologies and data collection are crucial in saving lives and creating space for autonomy for the nurse. ICU patients can be treated now due to advances that did not exist years ago. We can do more because our focus and time can be spent on something other than paper charting, medication storage, etc. Embracing technology is not easy, yet it is critical for the improvement of healthcare.

References

Epic (2024). Specialty Care. A connected team with the patient at the heart, driving quality and safety across specialized settings. https://www.epic.com/software/specialty-care/Links to an external site.

Becton Dickinson (2024). Pyxis MedStation ES System. https://www.bd.com/en-za/our-products/medication-management/medication-technologies/pyxis-medstation-es-system

Florance Nightingale Museum (n.d.). Statistics and Evidence-Based Healthcare. https://www.florence-nightingale.co.uk/florence-in-her-own-words-hand-washing/Links to an external site.

Lockhart, L. M., MSN, R., NE-BC (2020, October). Nurse-driven protocols.

https://journals.lww.com/nursingmadeincrediblyeasy/fulltext/2020/09000/nurse_driven_protocols.10.aspx#:~:text=A%3A%20Nurse%2Ddriven%20protocols%20allow,foster%20efficiency%20in%20care%20deliveryLinks to an external site. .

TechnologySpecialist.docx

Technology specialists and nurse informaticist might collaborate with IT staff to develop and deploy data analytics tools that support evidence-based decision-making and quality improvement efforts across different departments. Nurse informaticists may partner with nurses and physicians to enhance the utilization of electronic health record (EHR) systems, ensuring that documentation practices are in line with clinical workflows and regulatory standards (Sipes, 2016). Interdisciplinary teams often collaborate to conceptualize and implement innovative technology solutions aimed at improving patient care delivery, such as mobile health applications or telehealth platforms.

The integration of mobile phones has transformed the landscape of Health Information Technology (HIT) across various care delivery environments, providing access to comprehensive health information and extensive customization options (Ng et al., 2018). My current nursing position uses mobile devices for nurses to communicate with families, other nurses, physicians, and other health professionals involved in their patients care. Most recently, my hospital rolled out the EPIC Rover application, which was added on our designated mobile devices. This application allows the nurse to access the patient’s EHR, and even gives the ability to scan medications, feeds, as if they were using the computer on wheels. Having this access at our fingertips has made providing care to our patients easier, do the convince of the EHR access.

A method for enhancing collaboration among nurse informaticists, data or technology specialists, and other professionals within a healthcare institution involves organizing routine interdisciplinary meetings or working groups. These meetings serve as platforms for team members to exchange ideas, address issues, and generate solutions collectively. Fostering a culture of interprofessional collaboration and mutual respect facilitates the sharing of knowledge and promotes innovation, ultimately resulting in the more efficient implementation of informatics solutions and technology projects (Mosier et. al, 2019).

The evolving field of nursing informatics and the introduction of new technologies are expected to significantly influence professional dynamics within healthcare organizations. Nurse informaticists, who adapt at utilizing data and technology to enhance patient care, will play a crucial role in bridging the gap between clinical practice and information technology. Additionally, the integration of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning will necessitate collaborative efforts across disciplines to fully maximize their benefits. Embracing interdisciplinary collaboration and fostering a culture of innovation will enable professionals to harness technology's transformative potential, ultimately leading to positive changes in patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.

References

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2022). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Mosier, S., Roberts, W. D., & Englebright, J. (2019). A Systems-Level Method for Developing Nursing Informatics Solutions: The Role of Executive Leadership. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(11), 543-548.

Ng, Y. C., Alexander, S., & Frith, K. H. (2018). Integration of Mobile Health Applications in Health Information Technology Initiatives. Expanding Opportunities for Nurse Participation in Population Health. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 36(5), 209-213.

Sipes, C. (2016). Project management: Essential skill of nurse informaticists. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 225, 252-256.

NursingInformatics.docx

Interaction Between Nursing Informaticists and Other Specialties

Nursing informatics, data collection, and technology have drastically changed nursing into what it is today. Of course, we have nursing pioneers, such as Florance Nightingale, who taught fundamentals such as hand washing and the first hospitals with nuns caring for the sick (Florance Nightingale Museum, n.d.). Patient care looks a lot different now. My oncology unit looks like an ICU unit did years ago. I once was told by a physician whom I respect very much that when he started his career, the ICU looked like an acute care unit does now, and all our ICU patients would have been dead due to the lack of instruments and knowledge we have now. I greatly credit technology, data, and nurse informaticists for the improvement.

The hospital where I work uses Epic for charting and Beacan as the oncology extender for all things relating to Oncology (Epic, 2024). The transition from one to the other is seamless and very efficient. I do remember being a student and having to do paper charting. I also remember having locked boxes for all narcotics and controlled medications. Now we have Pixies MedStations. “The system helps clinicians dispense medications in a safe, efficient way and provides enterprise-ready integration capabilities previously not seen in other medication management systems.” (Becton Dickinson, 2024). I will have to say that my favorite is nursing protocols that have been established from data collection on evidence-based practice. Data collection and nurse informaticists have helped with the creation of many protocols that I use daily. For example, a neutropenic patient with a fever needs rapid action. We have a neutropenic fever protocol. With this protocol, there is no need to contact the primary care provider and try to get a hold of the oncologist. The nurse immediately follows the protocol, gets all the labs and images ordered, and then contacts the oncologist for further treatment and review of results. The time saved saves lives, and following an evidence-based practice protocol allows the nurse to look at the big picture and move away from a checklist, creating more in-depth care. As stated by Lockhart, “Nurse-driven protocols allow qualified nursing professionals to have autonomy in their specific area. These protocols improve safety, increase staff satisfaction, and foster efficiency in care delivery.” (Lockhart Lisa, 2020 October).

An area of improvement can be for different data collection platforms to be able to share information. Providence uses Epic and a type of My Chart run by Epic. However, only some systems communicate with each other. For a caregiver living in a small community with few specialists, requesting records that can only be obtained via fax is very frustrating. Technology is improving, and we are seeing different providers able to access notes and images across different platforms. There is still more that can be done and room for improvement in this area.

As I mentioned before, new technologies and data collection are crucial in saving lives and creating space for autonomy for the nurse. ICU patients can be treated now due to advances that did not exist years ago. We can do more because our focus and time can be spent on something other than paper charting, medication storage, etc. Embracing technology is not easy, yet it is critical for the improvement of healthcare.

References

Epic (2024). Specialty Care. A connected team with the patient at the heart, driving quality and safety across specialized settings. https://www.epic.com/software/specialty-care/Links to an external site.

Becton Dickinson (2024). Pyxis MedStation ES System. https://www.bd.com/en-za/our-products/medication-management/medication-technologies/pyxis-medstation-es-system

Florance Nightingale Museum (n.d.). Statistics and Evidence-Based Healthcare. https://www.florence-nightingale.co.uk/florence-in-her-own-words-hand-washing/Links to an external site.

Lockhart, L. M., MSN, R., NE-BC (2020, October). Nurse-driven protocols.

https://journals.lww.com/nursingmadeincrediblyeasy/fulltext/2020/09000/nurse_driven_protocols.10.aspx#:~:text=A%3A%20Nurse%2Ddriven%20protocols%20allow,foster%20efficiency%20in%20care%20deliveryLinks to an external site. .

TechnologySpecialist.docx

NursingInformatics.docx

TechnologySpecialist.docx

NursingInformatics.docx

TechnologySpecialist.docx