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Nurse informaticists, nurse informatics specialists (NIS), and data specialists work with different departments across the continuum. One of my experiences in working with a NIS occurred during my orientation as a new hire at a Magnet recognized hospital. A NIS was the person in charge of ensuring that newly hired employees were trained to use their software system called Epic. Some strategies that I recommend are providing new hires a break in between the lengthy modules and making the training interesting and fun, while assuring there are enough computer technicians to answer questions that newly hired employees may have. The modules were easy to follow for some of the new hires, but others had difficulty. The problem was that everyone was on a different level of learning. Some of the new hires already had the experience of using Epic software, and some did not. Creating employee training is difficult, especially if one is training a new hire without any experience in using a computer.
The following scenario was what I remembered: Every new hire was provided with a thick binder that contained different scenarios in different nursing departments. It felt almost like a race to complete through all the scenarios in the binder, leaving some of the people behind who were not tech-savvy, and were unfamiliar with the use of an EHR system. One data specialist and a NIS were available throughout the orientation to answer questions; however, many of the new hires who lacked understanding from the modules waited a long time to raise their questions and to get help. What was helpful for those who fell behind and needed continuing practice in Epic was going to the learning laboratory. This notion was started on the self-regulated learning principle that effective learning can be achieved by encouraging learners to participate in their own learning process (Sandars, 2013). Everyone was welcome and encouraged to use the computer learning library even after completing their orientation. Sometimes, it just takes getting used to technology by practicing over and over before getting better at it. Going to the computer library is an incentive that many organizations do not have and using it helps the employee to become more knowledgeable.
In 2017, Heidarizadeh et al. reported that many nurses identify some of their challenges are related to systems and technology. This is especially true for me, and I am sure that many other nurses feel they spend a lot of time on documentation requirements, which takes us away from nursing care. Interdisciplinary is a word that I often use when needing to count on other co-workers. Nurses cannot do everything on their own; they must learn to rely on their teammates, other disciplines, and the support of technology. McGonigle and Mastrian (2018) concluded that interprofessional collaboration is emerging as a key to better quality outcomes for patients. This collaboration is supported by the EHR and other technologies that facilitate communication among health professionals. To summarize, I believe that informatics and the repeated upgrades in technology will only continue to help improve the quality and safety of care for our patients. Informatics will always play an important role in our everyday lives.
References
Heidarizadeh, K., Rassouli, M., Manoochehri, H., Zagheri, M. T., & Kashef, R. G. (2017). Nurses’ perception of challenges in the use of an electronic nursing documentation system. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, (35)11, 599-605. https://doi:10.1097/CIN.0000000000000358
McGonigle, D. & Mastrian, K. G. (2018). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed., pp. 537-552). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Sandars, J. (2013). When I say…self-regulated learning. Medical Education, 47, 1162-1163. https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.12244
Johnny Herrera RE: Discussion – Week 3COLLAPSE
Efficiency, accuracy, and communication are transformed daily to ensure that medical providers promote patient safety. Nurses play a role in this transition by providing their experience and aiding in developing precise and useful tools. The informatics competency helps nurses use information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making at the point of care (Glassman, 2017). Technology, while taking leaps to improve performance, can also undermine nurse-patient relationships and responsibility.
Among the 2.8 million registered nurses currently working in the United States (U.S.), 61% work in hospitals (Macieira et al., 2018). With hospitals engaging in the use of electronic health records, most graduate nurses have not had any experience with paper medical records. Going to a correctional facility and being introduced to paper medical records was a big shock for me. Immediately I could gage the differences between both systems and the loss of time, resources, and accuracy paper records contribute to. A few months into my experience at the facility, the conversion to electronic health records initiated, and I had the first opportunity to work with a nurse informatics specialist.
As challenging as it is, working with an EHR system from day one has its benefits, as the medical team can make changes and create a well-balanced mold. The nurse informatics specialist was present at every staff training and at the physical site when the system launched. Using his nursing experience, the specialist made changes to the format that was beneficial to the entire team and worked one on one with staff members having difficulty. The most important suggestion I would support is the ability to make changes to systems in less time. Waiting months for changes to be implemented can be challenging and discouraging to staff.
Care and promotion of health are at the core of the nursing profession. These principles are overlooked, and “the overwhelming presence of technology at the clinical bedside has the power to become the strongest reference point that nurses use to inform, direct, interpret, evaluate, and understand nursing care” (McGonilge as cite in O’Keefe-McCarthy, 2018, p.526). I have experienced this in the NICU when assessing a monitor that is reading 100% oxygen saturation, and looking closer only to find a disconnected probe. Nurses are cognizant that not one single reference point should determine the clinical state of the patient, and dependence should not be on technology.
Technology and the nursing profession are married in an unbreakable relationship with a common goal. Promotion of health and care is delivered with precision and evidenced-based practice thanks to the work of professionals developing technological advances. Nurses are responsible for contributing to further advancements through their experience, research, and communication with the healthcare team.
References:
Glassman, K.S. (2017). Using data in nursing practice. American Nurse Today, 12(11), 45-47. Retrieved from https://www.americannursetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/and11-Data-1030.pdf
Macieira, T., Smith, M. B., Davis, N., Yao, Y., Wilkie, D. J., Lopez, K. D., & Keenan, G. (2018). Evidence of Progress in Making Nursing Practice Visible Using Standardized Nursing Data: a Systematic Review.AMIA … Annual Symposium proceedings. AMIA Symposium,2017, 1205–1214.
McGonigle, D. (2018).Nursing Informatics and the Foundation of Knowledge. [MBS Direct]. Retrieved from
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor in charge of creating college assignments and answers for medical college students, I am responsible for designing and conducting lectures, evaluating student performance, and providing feedback through examinations and assignments. In this discussion, two nurses share their experiences working with nurse informaticists, nurse informatics specialists, and data specialists in different healthcare settings. They discuss the challenges and benefits of utilizing technology and informatics in healthcare, as well as the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and continual learning.
Answer to the Content:
The content shared by Nurse Remedios Hebert highlights the importance of effective training and support for new hires to use software systems like Epic in healthcare settings. She suggests strategies such as providing breaks during training modules and ensuring that there are enough computer technicians available to answer questions. Nurse Hebert also mentions the use of a learning laboratory where employees can practice and improve their skills with the software. She emphasizes the need for nurses to rely on their teammates, other disciplines, and technology to provide high-quality care.
Nurse Johnny Herrera reflects on the efficiency, accuracy, and communication that technology brings to healthcare. He highlights the impact of electronic health records (EHRs) and discusses the benefits of working with a nurse informatics specialist during the implementation of an EHR system. He emphasizes the importance of making timely changes to systems to address staff needs and support their work. Nurse Herrera also recognizes the potential drawbacks of relying solely on technology and highlights the importance of nurses using their experience and critical thinking skills in patient care.
In summary, both nurses recognize the vital role of informatics and technology in healthcare. They acknowledge the need for effective training, ongoing support, and timely system changes to maximize the benefits of technology. They also emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, continual learning, and the reliance on nursing experience and critical thinking skills. Overall, informatics will continue to play a crucial role in improving the quality and safety of patient care.
