Question

Describe how health informatics analyze data in order to evaluate and implement additions to an EHR?

Answer 1

Nurses in their day- today activities deal with information, knowledge and data. it is important for them to know how to record, interpret and report data and critically think and apply knowledge to use information for patient care. Data include numbers,characters or facts that nurses collect according to a perceived need and possible action. The most effiecient way to use data and information to improve quality of care , complete research and provide education is through information technology

Information technology refers to management and processing of information generally with assisstance of computers. Advances in technology allows health care agencies to move from paper-based records to computer based records

In the fast-paced world of nursing, nursing informatics play an important role in helping nurses to take decisions more rapidly and accurately. New technologies allow nurses to study the effect of systems on error reduction and patient safety

Nursing information systems(NIS)

As a nurse you need to access the computer program easily, review the patient medical history, physician's orders,and conduct comprehensive assessment. Periodical assessment of laboratory test results and documents the therapies you administer.The computer screens and the usual pop upwindows make it easy to locate information,enter and compare data and make changes

The NIS uses two designs:

• Nursing process design
• Critical Pathway Design

1. Nursing Process Design

It organises documentation within well-established formats such as admission and post operative assessment problem lists, care plans, discharge planning instructions and interventions lists or notes

The nursing process design make formats for the following:

Generation of nursing work list that indicates routine scheduled activities related to care of each patient

Documentation of routine aspects of patient care such as hygiene, positioning, fluid intake and output, wound care measures and blood glucose measurements

Progress notes enteries using narrative notes , charting by exception and flow-sheet charting

Documentation of medication administration

2. Critical Pathway Design

Evidence-based clinical protocols or critical pathways provide the formatting or design for the type of information that the clinicians enter into the system. The information sytem allows to select one or more protocols for the patient

An advanced sytem merges multiple protocols using a master protocol or path to direct patient care activities. Standard Health care provider order sets are included in the protocols and automatically processed

The system integrates appropriate information into the medication delivery process to enhance patient safety

In addition, the system identifies the variances of the anticipated outcomes on the protocols as they are charted. This provides all caregivers the ability to analyze variance and offer an accurate clinical picture of a patient's progress

Clinical Decision support Systems(CDSSs)

Are computerized programs used by health care providers to support decision making. It produces alert, warninggs and other information to the user . The information within a CDSSs is current, evidence-based and has the ability to be updated. Information provided by the CDSS is given to the right person at right time. For eg: this notifies the physician about medication allergies of patient before ordering a medication. When patient assessment data are combined with patient care guidelines nurses are better able to implement Evidence-based nursing care, resulting in improved patient care out come