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, a field that merges nursing science with information technology, is pivotal in advancing patient care, enhancing clinical outcomes, and supporting evidence-based practices (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2022). One key aspect of nursing informatics is the ability to leverage data for knowledge formation and problem-solving, ultimately leading to better decision-making and improvements in patient care.

Scenario and Data Access Benefits

Consider a scenario in which a hospital is experiencing a high rate of patient falls in one of its inpatient units. Through nursing informatics, a system that integrates patient data such as electronic health records (EHRs), patient demographics, past medical history, medications, and real-time monitoring data could be employed to analyze and identify patterns or factors that increase the risk of falls (Sweeney, 2017).

The system can be programmed to generate alerts based on specific criteria, such as recent surgeries, medication side effects, or mobility issues that put patients at a higher risk. Healthcare providers can use this data to determine which patients are more vulnerable and take proactive steps, such as additional fall precautions, staff education, or medication adjustments. This data-driven approach enables nursing teams and leaders to apply evidence-based interventions effectively and resolve the problem more efficiently.

Facilitating Knowledge Formation and Problem-Solving

Nursing informatics facilitates knowledge formation by enabling access to large datasets that nurses and clinicians can analyze to generate insights (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2022). Integrating real-time data into clinical decision-making helps anticipate and address issues before they escalate and fosters a culture of continuous improvement (R2 Library & ANA, 2015). Additionally, nursing informatics tools empower leaders and team members to solve complex problems by providing them with real-time information and evidence-based recommendations. This capability is especially valuable in hospital environments where timely decisions are critical for patient safety and care quality.

In conclusion, nursing informatics enhances problem-solving capabilities by making data accessible, interpretable, and actionable. Using electronic health records, clinical decision support systems, and predictive analytics, nurses can better understand patient conditions and make informed decisions that improve patient outcomes and streamline care delivery.

References

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

R2 Library (Online service), & American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing Informatics : Scope and Standards of Practice: Vol. Second edition. American Nurses Association.

Sweeney, J. (2017). Healthcare Informatics. Online Journal of Nursing Informatics, 21(1), 4–1.

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