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

Nursing informatics is a specialty that combines nursing science with various informational and analytical disciplines to gather, explain, manage, and communicate information, expertise, data, and wisdom across nursing practice (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2022). Nursing informatics utilizes data to generate knowledge and address problems, resulting in enhanced decision-making and advancements in patient care.

Scenario

Many years ago, while living in Massachusetts, I worked in a mental health unit where information and data were handwritten and put in a patient’s folder. Electronic health records (EHR) were not used at the time. This method was cumbersome and filled with issues. For instance, a physician would request old records to see the patient’s medication history to commence a detox plan for the patient. The procedure was to request the file or folder from the records department, which took time, sometimes up to one whole day, leading to unnecessary delays in treatment and patient care. This did not augur well for a patient who was detoxing. The patient’s health and well-being were endangered, which could have been disastrous. This constitutes delayed treatment and would be considered negligent.

Fast forward to the present dispensation: EHRs have emerged as a prevalent component in contemporary healthcare, facilitating enhanced data accessibility and the provision of superior patient care (Asgari et al., 2024). The implementation of EHRs and electronic medical records (EMRs) within mental health settings has progressed slowly, primarily due to apprehensions regarding the handling of sensitive information, the need for standardization of mental health data, and the potential adverse effects on therapeutic relationships. Digital health must be a fundamental component of health priorities, ensuring benefits that are legitimate, safe, secure, reliable, equitable, and sustainable (WHO, 2021).

Data to be Used

Data such as the patient’s demographics, including age, gender, ethnicity, and comorbidities, are crucial. Clinical data to be captured include vital signs, laboratory results, medication administration records, and hospital admission and readmission records. The patient’s mental and behavioral data are also vital.

Data Collection and Access

The data can be obtained and accessed from the patient’s EHRs and EMRs. The EMRs would give the provider insight into what medications are effective for the patient, for example, for the patient undergoing detox. The EMR will also provide information on the patient’s medication and other allergies, including food allergies. Real-time data access lets healthcare providers anticipate risks, create individualized therapies, and boost general patient outcomes.

Nurse Leadership and Knowledge Formation

Nursing leaders can directly influence EHR satisfaction and usefulness by encouraging a good culture that values staff involvement with an EHR and advancing EHR adoption and use. For bedside personnel, they can be a source of information; thus, it is imperative that they are aware of all facets of nursing responsibilities, including EHR use. If nursing leaders grasp information systems better, they can better interact with staff nurses and help to promote the adoption of developing functionality to improve patient care processes (Carson et al., 2021).

References

Asgari, E., Kaur, J., Nuredini, G., Balloch, J., Taylor, A. M., Sebire, N., Robinson, R., Peters, C., Sridharan, S., & Pimenta, D. (2024). Impact of electronic health record use on cognitive load and burnout among clinicians: Narrative review. JMIR Medical Informatics, 12, e55499. https://doi.org/10.2196/55499Links to an external site.

Carson, N., Campbell-Smit, B., Walters, W., Sharp, K., & Smailes, P. (2021). Electronic health record training for nurse leaders. Online Journal of Nursing Informatics, 25(2). Retrieved from

https://www.himss.org/resources/electronic-health-record-training-nurse-leaders#:~:text=Nursing%20leadership%20can%20directly%20impact%20issues%20related%20to,an%20EHR%20and%20promoting%20EHR%20adoption%20and%20useLinks to an external site.

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

World Health Organization. (2021). Global strategy on digital health 2020-2025. Retrieved from https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/344249/9789240020924-eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

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