Nursing Informatics in Healthcare

Nurses play a critical role in Healthcare, promoting positive Patient outcomes through various means. They provide direct care, assess conditions, administer treatments, and assist with daily activities. Patient education is another essential aspect of nursing, empowering patients to make informed decisions and engage in self-care. Nurses contribute to care planning, evaluate progress, and detect potential risks (Flaubert et al., 2021). The use of technology by nurses enhances patient care by facilitating efficient data management, improving communication and collaboration, enabling remote patient monitoring, and promoting patient engagement and education (Huter et al., 2020). Ultimately, technology in nursing practice at the Vila Health community leads to more effective and patient-centered care.

Nursing Informatics and Nurse Informaticist

Nursing informatics is a specialty within nursing that combines healthcare information technology, data management, and nursing science. It focuses on using technology and data to improve patient care outcomes, enhance communication and decision-making, and optimize healthcare processes (Clarke, 2021). The role of nurse informatics in a healthcare organization is multi-faceted as they are involved in the implementation and optimization of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) systems, clinical decision support tools, and other healthcare technologies (Jedwab et al., 2022).

NURS FPX 4040 Assessment 1 Nursing Informatics in Healthcare

Nurses collaborate with IT professionals and healthcare teams to ensure that systems are effectively integrated into clinical workflows, tailored to meet the needs of nurses and promote safe and efficient care delivery. Nurse informaticists collect, analyze, and interpret data to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement. They develop and maintain databases, generate reports, and conduct research to inform evidence-based practice. By leveraging data, they contribute to quality improvement initiatives, patient safety efforts, and clinical research (Zadvinskis et al., 2018).

Nurse informaticists evaluate existing workflows and processes to identify inefficiencies and develop solutions for streamlining operations. They play a crucial role in educating and training nurses and other healthcare professionals on the effective use of healthcare technologies. They guide system functionalities, data entry and retrieval, and promote best practices in utilizing technology to enhance patient care. Their training programs ensure that staff members are competent in using the available technology effectively (Clarke, 2021).

Nurse Informaticists and Other Health Care Organizations

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is renowned for its nursing informatics program, which focuses on data management, workflow optimization, technology integration, and research. They emphasize effective data management using EHRs to provide real-time access to comprehensive patient information. By analyzing existing workflows, VUMC identifies areas for improvement and implements technology-driven solutions to enhance care delivery. Nurse informaticists work with interdisciplinary teams to ensure that technology coincides with the needs of nurses and integrates seamlessly into clinical workflows. VUMC’s commitment to research and innovation drives evidence-based improvements in patient care, positioning them as leaders in leveraging nursing informatics to optimize healthcare delivery and enhance patient outcomes (VUSN Communications, 2021).

The nurse informaticist’s role involves working with nursing staff, interdisciplinary teams, and technology experts to improve the overall quality of patient care. They provide input during system implementation, working closely with technologists to customize healthcare technologies according to the needs of nurses and promote safe care delivery. They also collaborate in workflow analysis, identifying areas for improvement and suggesting ways to streamline processes and enhance efficiency through technology integration. Additionally, they collaborate with the team to develop and deliver training programs, ensuring that all healthcare professionals are competent in using the technology effectively to deliver high-quality patient care (Farokhzadian et al., 2020).

Impact of Full Nurse Engagement in Healthcare Technology

Patient Care

Engaging nurses in healthcare technology enables them to access and utilize patient information more efficiently, make informed decisions, and provide safer and more effective care. It enhances communication among team members, reduces errors, and facilitates coordinated and patient-centered care (Kwame & Petrucka, 2021).

Protected Health Information

 Nurses need to be well-versed in privacy, security, and confidentiality practices to ensure the safeguarding of protected health information (PHI). This includes understanding and adhering to policies, using secure systems, and following best practices for data access and sharing. According to (Tariq & Hackert, 2019), evidence-based strategies to manage PHI include:

• Implementing robust authentication and access controls to ensure that only authorized individuals can access patient data.
• Using encryption methods to protect data during storage and transmission.
• Conduct regular security audits and risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and address them promptly.
• Establishing policies and procedures for incident reporting and responding to security breaches or data breaches.

Workflow

 Engaging nurses in healthcare technology can positively impact workflow by streamlining processes, reducing manual documentation, and promoting efficient information sharing. Technology integration can automate certain tasks, reduce documentation errors, and improve the coordination of care among team members (Carayon et al., 2019).

Costs and Return on Investment

 Engaging nurses in healthcare technology requires an investment in the training, implementation, and maintenance of systems. However, the effective utilization of technology can lead to cost savings in the long run. It can reduce medication errors, minimize duplicative testing, and streamline administrative tasks. Additionally, improved patient outcomes and enhanced efficiency contribute to a positive return on investment (Jedwab et al., 2021).

Need for Nursing Informatics in Healthcare 

Nurse informaticists are crucial in healthcare organizations like Vila Health because they optimize EHRs, telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and digital monitors. They customize EHR systems, streamline documentation processes, and improve data accuracy. Nurse informaticists integrate telehealth seamlessly into workflows, enabling remote care. They implement remote patient monitoring systems, ensure secure data transmission, and develop protocols for data utilization. Nurse informaticists collaborate in selecting and integrating digital monitors, developing monitoring protocols, and educating healthcare professionals (Farokhzadian et al., 2020). Overall, their role ensures efficient and effective use of technology to enhance patient care at Vila Health.

Opportunities and Challenges

To combat the issues of confidentiality, security, and privacy, there are many strategies that healthcare teams can implement to protect health information. This involves developing robust privacy policies and procedures that align with laws and regulations and communicating them to all staff members involved in patient care. They also implement access controls and authentication mechanisms, such as secure login credentials and role-based access controls, to limit access to PHI to authorized individuals (Holden et al., 2018).

Encryption techniques are utilized to protect PHI during transmission and storage, ensuring that patient information remains confidential and safeguarded from unauthorized access. Ongoing training and education are provided to staff members to raise awareness about privacy, security, and confidentiality best practices. This includes educating them about potential risks and vulnerabilities and reinforcing proper handling and disposal of sensitive information (Tariq & Hackert, 2019).

NURS FPX 4040 Assessment 1 Nursing Informatics in Healthcare

The addition of a nurse informaticist role presents opportunities for improved patient care and streamlined workflows through technology. However, challenges include implementation and adoption, training and education, resistance to change, privacy and security concerns, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Overcoming these challenges can lead to enhanced care and optimized processes.

One of the laws that deals with patient confidentiality is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). It sets national standards for the protection of patient’s health information and establishes guidelines for healthcare organizations and professionals to safeguard PHI. It includes provisions for maintaining patient privacy, securing electronic PHI, and defining the permitted uses and disclosures of PHI. HIPAA also grants patients certain rights regarding the access, amendment, and disclosure of their health information, ensuring their confidentiality is respected and protected (Edemekong et al., 2022).

Summary of Recommendations

• Nurse informaticists are crucial for improving patient care through technology and data management. 
• Nurse informaticists enhance decision-making, optimize processes, and train staff.
• Engaging nurses in healthcare technology improves care, protects patient information, streamlines workflows, and saves costs.
• Nurse informaticists manage PHI and ensure compliance with regulations like HIPAA.

The role of nurse informatics in a healthcare organization is important for the chief nursing officer and human manager to consider because they provide valuable insights and data-driven recommendations for strategic decision-making, including healthcare technology investments and workflow optimization. They contribute to quality improvement by analyzing data and identifying opportunities for patient safety initiatives. Investing in nurse informatics enhances staff competency and engagement through training in healthcare technology, leading to improved patient care. Nurse informaticists also assist in selecting and integrating healthcare technologies, ensuring they align with nursing practice and maximize their potential for positive patient outcomes (Farokhzadian et al., 2020).

References 

VUSN Communications. (2021, December 1). Follow the data. Vanderbilt University.

https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu/news/follow-the-data-transformed-program-focuses-on-training-nurses-to-be-technology-leaders/ 

Carayon, P., Hundt, A. S., & Hoonakker, P. (2019). Technology barriers and strategies in coordinating care for chronically ill patients. Applied Ergonomics, 78(1), 240–247.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2019.03.009 

Clarke, M. (2021, October 28). What is nursing informatics? | Symplr. Symplr.com.

https://www.symplr.com/blog/what-is-nursing-informatics 

Edemekong, P. F., Haydel, M. J., & Annamaraju, P. (2022, February 3). Health insurance portability and accountability act (HIPAA). Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500019/ 

Farokhzadian, J., Khajouei, R., Hasman, A., & Ahmadian, L. (2020). Nurses’ experiences and viewpoints about the benefits of adopting information technology in health care: A qualitative study in Iran. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 20(1).

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-020-01260-5 

Flaubert, J. L., Menestrel, S. L., Williams, D. R., & Wakefield, M. K. (2021). The role of nurses in improving health care access and quality. National Academies Press (US).

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573910/ 

Holden, R., Binkheder, S., Patel, J., & Viernes, S. (2018). Best practices for health informatician involvement in interprofessional health care teams. Applied Clinical Informatics, 09(01), 141–148.

https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1626724 

Huter, K., Krick, T., Domhoff, D., Seibert, K., Wolf-Ostermann, K., & Rothgang, H. (2020). Effectiveness of digital technologies to support nursing care: Results of a scoping review. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, Volume 13, 1905–1926.

https://doi.org/10.2147/jmdh.s286193 

Jedwab, R. M., Hutchinson, A. M., Manias, E., Calvo, R. A., Dobroff, N., Glozier, N., & Redley, B. (2021). Nurse motivation, engagement and well-being before an electronic medical record system implementation: A mixed methods study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5).

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052726 

Jedwab, R. M., Manias, E., Hutchinson, A. M., Dobroff, N., & Redley, B. (2022). Understanding nurses’ perceptions of barriers and enablers to use of a new electronic medical record system in Australia: A qualitative study. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 158.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2021.104654  

Kwame, A., & Petrucka, P. M. (2021). A literature-based study of patient-centered care and communication in nurse-patient interactions: Barriers, facilitators, and the way forward. BMC Nursing, 20(1).

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00684-2 

Tariq, R. A., & Hackert, P. B. (2019). Patient confidentiality. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519540/ 

Zadvinskis, I. M., Garvey Smith, J., & Yen, P.-Y. (2018). Nurses’ experience with health information technology: Longitudinal qualitative study. JMIR Medical Informatics, 6(2).

https://doi.org/10.2196/medinform.8734