NURS-6051C Module 1: Week 1: Discussion

The Application of Data to Problem-Solving

In the modern era, there are few professions that do not to some extent rely on data. Stockbrokers rely on market data to advise clients on financial matters. Meteorologists rely on weather data to forecast weather conditions, while realtors rely on data to advise on the purchase and sale of property. In these and other cases, data not only helps solve problems, but adds to the practitioner’s and the discipline’s body of knowledge.

Of course, the nursing profession also relies heavily on data. The field of nursing informatics aims to make sure nurses have access to the appropriate date to solve healthcare problems, make decisions in the interest of patients, and add to knowledge.

In this Discussion, you will consider a scenario that would benefit from access to data and how such access could facilitate both problem-solving and knowledge formation.

Resources

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCES

To Prepare:

  • Reflect on the concepts of informatics and knowledge work as presented in the Resources.
  • Consider a hypothetical scenario based on your own healthcare practice or organization that would require or benefit from the access/collection and application of data. Your scenario may involve a patient, staff, or management problem or gap.

By Day 3 of Week 1

Post a description of the focus of your scenario. Describe the data that could be used and how the data might be collected and accessed. What knowledge might be derived from that data? How would a nurse leader use clinical reasoning and judgment in the formation of knowledge from this experience?

By Day 6 of Week 1

Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days, asking questions to help clarify the scenario and application of data, or offering additional/alternative ideas for the application of nursing informatics principles.

*Note: Throughout this program, your fellow students are referred to as colleagues.

Solution

Week 1 discussion- The application of data to problem solving

The focus of the Scenario

There has been an increase in surgical site infections (SSI) in Gynecological patients. In this Scenario, the Operating Room, alongside the Infection Control department, is trying to reduce the incidence of SSI. SSI can be detrimental to the affected patients, prolong hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. Using Nursing Informatics, a healthcare program will be developed to help solve this problem. The American Nurses Association (ANA) identified nursing informatics as “a specialty that integrates nursing, science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, and knowledge in nursing practice” (ANA, 2001)

The goal is to implement a system that enhances patient safety by accurately tracking and managing infection prevention measures throughout the surgical process.

Data Collection and Access

Data will be collected and utilized from multiple areas to address the SSI issue.

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Data such as Patient demographics, medical history, surgical procedures, wound care documentation, and previous infection history will be collected using EHR systems that automatically collect and store this data as healthcare providers input patient information during routine care. Authorized healthcare professionals can access EHR data through secure login credentials, ensuring data privacy and security. From the EMR, information about the location of the infection (superficial, deep, organ space) and contributing factors (e.g., surgical technique, duration of surgery, antibiotic prophylaxis) will be analyzed. This information can be collected using the surveillance system. Surveillance systems collect this data through regular monitoring and reporting by infection control teams.

 

Derived Knowledge

The data collected can provide insight into possible causes and implementation of preventive measures. The team can narrow down the possible causes of the infections by analyzing the data generated. A possible pattern can be identified; for example, most patients presented with infections had robotic-assisted procedures, and the infection is in the pelvic area. A possible cause for this can be the robotic instruments; these instruments have tiny groves that can be an area for bacterial growth. An investigation can be conducted focusing on the cleaning, handling, and sterilization of these instruments.

Clinical Reasoning and Judgment

The nurse leader can use clinical reasoning and judgment from the data collected to formulate data analysis. High-risk surgical procedures can be identified, and interventions can be prioritized for these high-risk areas. The nurse leader, alongside infection control personnel, will be tasked with implementing interventions to target SSI. Design and implement targeted interventions based on data insights, such as standardized surgical protocols, enhanced staff training on infection prevention, and improved surgical techniques and practices. Implement a plan to clean and handle Robotic instruments properly.

The nurse manager will continue to monitor for SSI and determine if the interventions are effective and if additional interventions are needed. Adjust strategies based on ongoing data analysis and clinical judgment to ensure continuous improvement.

The nurse will foster a culture of safety by Using data to educate and engage healthcare staff in infection prevention initiatives. Encourage open communication and reporting of SSIs to promote a culture of learning and improvement. Remind staff always to have a surgical conscience and to intervene if they feel that surgical techniques are being practiced. By employing clinical reasoning, the nurse manager can effectively reduce the incidence of SSI.

 

References

Aforbes. (2023, November 10). 10 ways nurses can get involved in policy – NurseJournal.org. NurseJournal.org. https://nursejournal.org/articles/ways-nurses-can-get-involved-in-policy/Links to an external site.

  1. (2025). Surgical Site Infection Event (SSI). In January 2025 Procedure-associated Module SSI Events(pp. 9–1). https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/pdfs/pscmanual/9pscssicurrent.pdfLinks to an external site.

Fapic, A. W. M. R. C. C. (2024, October 9). Infection Prevention: A Perioperative Nurse’s Guide to preventing surgical site infections. Aorn.org. https://www.aorn.org/article/infection-prevention–a-perioperative-nurses-guide-to-preventing-surgical-site-infectionsLinks to an external site.

Guidelines Review Committee. (2018, December 1). Global guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infection. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550475Links to an external site.

 

Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice, 2nd Ed. (2016, December 1). ANA. https://www.nursingworld.org/nurses-books/nursing-informatics-scope-and-standards-of-practice-2nd-ed/?srsltid=AfmBOorJFeRuj249nIxYyX8H4bAqqmYfP6j1oiKsJPlmjI4hqQM-vzaRLinks to an external site.

Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Prevention Guideline. (2024, April 12). Infection Control. https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/surgical-site-infection/index.htmlLinks to an external site.

 

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