How Nursing Informatics Benefits Quality Outcomes

A recent HealthStream blog post, “What Is Nursing Informatics?,” includes the ANA definition that "Nursing informatics (NI) is the specialty that integrates nursing science with multiple information management and analytical sciences to identify, define, manage, and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice. NI supports nurses, consumers, patients, the interprofessional healthcare team, and other stakeholders in their decision-making in all roles and settings to achieve desired outcomes. This support, which ensures the benefits of nursing informatics are realized, is accomplished through the use of information structures, information processes, and information technology” (ANA, 2015).

Connecting Nursing Informatics and Artificial Intelligence

According to an article in The Online Journal of Nursing Informatics, “Artificial intelligence (AI) is a relatively new concept in healthcare, particularly in nursing practice.” (Carroll, 2018). An important area of AI for nursing is predictive analytics, which “allows nurses to discover previously unknown patterns in multiple sources of clinical and operational data that can guide better decision making. Through the use of predictive data, nurses can gain actionable insights that enable greater accuracy, timely, and appropriate interventions in a prescriptive way for both patient and nurses” (Carroll, 2018). Furthermore, “The difference is that AI, particularly predictive analytics, adds breadth and precision to decision making for healthier care experiences for those giving and receiving care” (Carroll, 2018).

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Improved Quality Outcomes Resulting from Nurse Informatics

The importance of nursing informatics is tied to the primacy of data in healthcare. Using the various electronic medical record systems that are now ubiquitous in healthcare for collecting health information across an organization, nurse informaticists are managing, interpreting, and communicating data with a primary purpose to improve the quality and outcomes of patient care. Here are some examples of the benefits of nursing informatics shared by Electronic Health Reporter:

1. Better Documentation

“Modern nursing care is driven by individual patient needs and history — information that is collected and organized in electronic patient records. By documenting a patient’s condition, and sharing that information electronically, nurses are able to more effectively manage care, and by extension, improve the quality of that care.”

2. Fewer Medical Errors

“Nurses are often on the front lines of ensuring that their patients are kept safe and preventing medication errors, misdiagnoses, falls, and other problems. Health informatics provides important data that can prevent these errors; for example, an electronic record can provide information about a possible dangerous medication interaction or allergy that might not otherwise be immediately apparent. Armed with data, nurses can make quick decisions that keep their patients safe.”

3. Cost Savings

“Medical errors cost nearly $40 billion every year, and many of those errors are preventable with informatics. Not only does information provide nurses with alerts to avoid errors, it also helps to automate certain tasks, both improving nurse productivity and preventing some of the costs associated with health care.”

4. Improved Care Coordination

“Nurses are often called upon to help coordinate the care of their patients. This often means relaying information from physicians, therapists, pharmacy, billing, and more, both during care and at discharge. Without all of the necessary information, patient care could suffer. Informatics improves the coordination of this information, allowing nurses to give their patients all of the information they need, improving both outcomes and the satisfaction with care” (Electronic Health Reporter, November 14, 2016).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an informatics nurse do?

An informatics nurse bridges the gap between clinical practice and information technology, playing a critical role in enhancing healthcare delivery. They are responsible for managing and communicating data, information, and knowledge in nursing practice, ensuring that healthcare information systems are effectively integrated into workflows. They analyze and interpret data to improve patient care outcomes, train healthcare staff on new technology systems, and ensure compliance with healthcare regulations and standards. Informatics nurses also work on developing and implementing electronic health records (EHRs) and other technology solutions to streamline processes and support clinical decision-making.

Is nursing informatics stressful?

Informatics nurses often find themselves at the intersection of multiple complex systems, which can be demanding as they work to integrate cutting-edge technology into the healthcare environment. The pressure to maintain the integrity and security of sensitive data can contribute to stress, as mistakes can have significant consequences for patient privacy and care. Additionally, informatics nurses may face tight deadlines and the need to rapidly adapt to evolving technology, which can lead to a demanding work environment.

What does a MSN in nursing informatics do?

An MSN in Nursing Informatics is a specialized graduate degree program designed to equip nursing professionals with advanced skills and knowledge in the integration of nursing science, information technology, and data management. This degree prepares nurses to manage and utilize health information systems effectively to improve patient care and healthcare outcomes. The curriculum typically covers subjects such as database management, system design, healthcare data analytics, and the implementation of electronic health records (EHRs). Nurses with an MSN in Nursing Informatics are equipped to take on leadership roles within healthcare organizations, driving innovations in health IT and contributing to strategic planning for informatics initiatives. This advanced degree opens opportunities in various settings, including hospitals, academic institutions, healthcare technology companies, and consultancy firms, where they can lead projects that enhance the technological infrastructure of healthcare facilities.

References

Carroll, W. (July, 2018). Artificial Intelligence, Nurses and the Quadruple Aim. Online Journal of Nursing Informatics (OJNI), 22(2). Available at http://www.himss.org/ojni

Electronic Health Reporter, “How Nurses Are Using Health Informatics to Improve Patient Care,” November 14, 2016, Retrieved at https://electronichealthreporter.com/nurses-using-health-informatics-improve-patient-care/.

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