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

 As a home health clinical manager, leveraging nursing informatics is essential for improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency. One of the significant challenges in home health is reducing hospital readmission rates for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Many CHF readmissions occur due to inadequate symptom management, medication non-adherence, and a lack of timely follow-up care. Implementing an informatics-driven approach can enhance patient monitoring, identify at-risk individuals, and provide proactive interventions to prevent avoidable hospitalizations. Data collection in this scenario would involve electronic health records (EHRs), remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices, and mobile health applications that allow patients to report symptoms and medication adherence. Key data points would include patient demographics, clinical history, medication compliance, weight fluctuations, blood pressure, heart rate, and follow-up visit attendance. By integrating predictive analytics, patterns in patient deterioration could be identified, allowing for early interventions such as medication adjustments, telehealth consultations, or in-home nursing visits (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2022).

From a leadership perspective, transforming this data into actionable knowledge requires clinical reasoning and judgment. Nurse leaders can use data trends to tailor patient-specific care plans, ensure adherence to evidence-based guidelines, and advocate for the integration of health technology to enhance monitoring and communication. Predictive modeling could stratify patients by risk level, enabling more intensive management for those with higher readmission risks. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, nurse leaders can ensure that home health nurses, primary care providers, and cardiologists work cohesively to address gaps in post-discharge care (Topaz, 2023). Additionally, patient education initiatives based on data insights can improve self-care behaviors, empowering individuals to manage their condition effectively. Research has shown that structured self-care interventions, such as remote monitoring combined with nurse-led coaching, significantly reduce readmissions in CHF patients (Ruppar et al., 2022). In essence, the application of nursing informatics in home health care bridges the gap between raw data and meaningful clinical interventions, ultimately enhancing patient care, reducing healthcare costs, and improving quality outcomes.

 

References

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

Ruppar, T. M., Cooper, P. S., Johnson, E. D., & Riegel, B. (2022). Self-care interventions to reduce hospital readmissions in heart failure: A systematic review. Heart & Lung, 51(4), 484-493.

Topaz, M. (2023). The role of predictive analytics in nursing: Applications and challenges. Journal of Nursing Informatics, 28(2), 45-52.

This question has been answered.

Order Now