COMPUTERS AND NURSING

INFORMATICS
is the study of computational systems, especially those for data storage and retrieval.
synonym for computer science and computing as a profession in which the central notion is
transformation of information

TECHNOLOGY
the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry.
"advances in computer technology"

NURSING
 encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and
communities, sick or well and in all settings.
 includes the promotion of health, the prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying
people.

NURSING INFORMATICS (NI) by ANA

 Nursing informatics (NI) is a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and
information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in
nursing practice.
 NI supports consumers, patients, nurses, and other providers in their decision making in all roles
and settings.
 This support is accomplished through the use of information structures, information processes,
and information technology.

1. ISSUES IN INFOMATICS
 As computers become increasingly important, nurse
 informatics specialists will become even more important in bridging the gap between clinical
care skills and technology
 They are responsible for providing clinical information and data analysis for effective patient care
and monitoring.

SPECIFIC ROLE OF NIS

 Employ informatics theories, concepts, methods, and tools to analyze information and
information system requirements
 Design, select, implement and evaluate information systems, data structures, and decision-
support mechanisms that support patients, nurses and their human-computer interactions
within health care contexts
 Facilitate the creation of new nursing knowledge

ROLES AND LIMITATIONS OF NURSING INFORMATICS

 Nursing informatics if not used properly or if the limitations are not properly defined, will give
rise to ethical and legal challenges in the protection of patient confidentiality, privacy and
secrecy.
 The old-fashioned humanistic concept of doctor-patient relationship can also be replaced.
Example:
From face to face booking to consultation into online consultation

CONFIDENTIALITY OF MEDICAL DATA

 Patient and client data are compromised once an unauthorized seized it for a specific reason or
data are mishandled by healthcare staff
Example: Surgeon wants to check first the chart of the Main AP of the client prior to surgery for
possible drug interaction

ETHICAL ISSUES IN HEALTH INFORMATICS

 Appropriate selection and use of informatics tools in clinical settings
 Determination of who should use such tools
 Confidentiality and security of data

Example: Patient A has AIDS

When to disclose patient information
Breech of confidentiality
 Appropriate selection and use of informatics tools in clinical settings
 Determination of who should use such tools
 Confidentiality and security of data
Example: Patient A has AIDS
When to disclose patient information
Breech of confidentiality

ADMINISTRATIVE APPLICATION
In 2002, the American Healthcare Association (AHA) commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers (PcW) to
survey some of the American Hospitals about patient care and paperwork experiences. The results
were disturbing
1. In the emergency department, every hour of patient requires 1hour of paperwork.
2. For surgery and inpatient acute care, every hour of patient care requires 36 minutes of paperwork.
3. For skilled nursing care, every hour of patient care results in 30 minutes of paperwork
4. For home healthcare, every hour of patient care results in 48 minutes of paperwork
Nurse manager: Nurses who hold an administrative position at the nurse manager level are
responsible for:
 Proper allocation of available resources to provide efficient and effective nursing care
 Providing input into executive-level decisions and collaborating with the nurse executive and
others in organizational programming and committee workS INFO
 Implementing clinical nursing services within their defined areas of responsibility
 Implementing the philosophy, goals, and standards of the healthcare organization
 Planning, organizing, implementing and controlling the care of individuals and aggregates across
the spectrum of healthcare settings.
2. Nurse Executives Responsibilities:
 Managing organized nursing services and the environment in which clinical nursing is practices.
Collaborating with other healthcare organizations executives to make decisions about healthcare
services and organizational priorities
2. Nurse Executives Responsibilities:
 Ensuring that standards of nursing practice are established and implemented and are consistent
with standards of professional organizations and regulatory agencies
 Evaluating care delivery models and of services provided to individuals and aggregates
2. Nurse Executives Responsibilities:
 Fostering a climate for practice that enhances productivity, job satisfaction and professional
development.
SPECIFIC COMPUTER APPLICATIONS FOR NURSING ADMINISTRATORS & MANAGERS
1. Allocating available resources to provide efficient and effective nursing care and implementing
clinical nursing services
2. Providing input into executive-level decisions and collaborating with the nurse executive and
others in organizational programming and committee work.
 Patient Classification System
 Staffing and scheduling systems
 Inventory
 Budgeting and payroll
 Claims processing and reimbursement
 Patient billing
 Unit Activity Report
 Utilization Review
 Shift Summary Report
3. Planning, organizing, implementing and controlling the care of individuals and aggregates across
the spectrum of healthcare settings.
 Computer-based patient records (CPR)
 Census
 Allergy and drug reactions
 Error reports
 Incident reports
 Infection control
 Training and education

CONSUMER USE
Today, patients and families expect to be partners in care, evaluating with their caregivers the
implications of diagnostic tests and the ramifications of treatment modalities, including cost and
effectiveness.
Application Areas:
 Consumer Use of Computers for Health Information Seeking:
Information seekers declared that they use the Internet because it is fast, anonymous and always
available.
 Consumer Use of Computers for Health Communication and Support:
Electronic mail (E-mail) continues to be the “killer app” of the internet. Many e-mail users find it
particularly useful for health-related matters.
 Consumer Use of Computers for Personal Health Records:
The most frequently cited reasons for wishing this type of communication are:
a. To get health reminders
b. Get personalized information after the doctor’s visit
c. Ask questions when a visit is not necessary
d. Make appointments
e. Renew prescriptions
f. Get lab result
ICS
 Consumer Use of Computers for Decision Support:
A broad range of decision-support applications is available to the interested consumer. Some
incorporate multimedia presentations of patients who have the condition that is subject of the
search.
 Consumer Use of Computers for Disease Management:
Technological support for joint patient-provider collaboration in disease management is a promising
application area. They may log-on to an Internet portal to record parameters such as blood pressure,
blood sugar, etc.
EDUCATIONAL APPLICATION
 As technology in nursing and medicine has developed, so has technology's role in nursing
education.
 Nursing students may have access to online education, live and web-based simulations, apps,
reference guides and electronic textbooks on mobile devices.
Application Areas:
a) Computerized record-keeping
b) Computerized-assisted instruction
c) Interactive video technology
d) Distance Learning
e) Web based courses and degree programs
f) Internet resources and formal nursing courses and degree programs
g) Presentation software for preparing slides and handouts-PowerPoint and MS Word
Online Education
Example: online degree programs i.e. Masters in Nursing by University of the Philippines
- they operate through LMS- Learning Management System software that handle all facets of the e-
learning process, including delivering content, handling registration for courses, tracking and
reporting
Simulated Environments
- electronic, training manikins.
Instructors can program the manikins to mimic scenarios nurses might see in clinical practice.
Students can take vital signs and make decisions based on the manikin's symptoms. It is a safe
environment where students can practice their critical thinking and decision-making skills
Most importantly, however, it allows students to practice in a low-risk environment where real
patients' lives are not at risk.
Mobile Technology
 The use of mobile technology in nursing gives students (and working nurses) instant access to
drug references, diagnoses, medical textbooks and more using apps and online guides on
smartphones and tablets.
 One article notes that healthcare professionals use smartphones and tablets most often to
achieve better staff coordination, improve patient communication and gain easier access to
electronic health records (EHR).
 Nursing programs vary in the type of technology they use, and they introduce new technology
almost daily. There is no doubt that the future will bring more technological ways to enhance the
educational process for nurses while also improving patient safety.
Application Areas:
 Computerized record-keeping
 Computerized-assisted instruction
 Interactive video technology
 Distance Learning
 Web based courses and degree programs
 Internet resources and formal nursing courses and degree programs
 Presentation software for preparing slides and handouts-PowerPoint and MS Word
RESEARCH APPLICATION
 Computerized literature searching-CINAHL, Medline and Web sources.
 The adoption of standardized language related to nursing terms-NANDA, etc.
 The ability to find trends in aggregate data, that is data derived from large population groups-
Statistical Software, SPSS.