Interaction Between Nurse Informaticists and Other Specialists

Interaction Between Nurse Informaticists and Other Specialists

Nurse informaticists play a pivotal role in ensuring the maintenance and effective utilization of healthcare systems (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017, p. 313). At the Washington Health System, these informaticists actively participate in the orientation of new staff members, particularly those who will be utilizing computer systems in their roles. This orientation program is designed to familiarize staff with the computer systems and the process of logging in. Nurse informaticists provide direct supervision as staff members engage in tasks using these computer systems. Furthermore, a comprehensive guide with step-by-step instructions for accessing and charting in the Sunrise computer system is available to support the staff. These interactions directly involve those who will rely on computers in their daily work, ensuring a smooth transition. When new technology is introduced, nurse informaticists are on-site, demonstrating the operation of the technology to nurses through direct observation. This hands-on approach not only fosters comfort with new technology but also offers a platform for addressing any questions or concerns. The overarching objective of nurse informaticists is to devise solutions that enhance overall patient care, making technology more user-friendly and error-free (Mosier et al., 2019).

A recent technological advancement that has posed challenges is ViTrac. When staff encounters issues with ViTrac, they typically seek assistance from hospital technical support. However, addressing these issues over the phone can be frustrating. A more effective strategy could involve in-person support, allowing staff to demonstrate the issues they are facing. This approach could enhance interdepartmental relationships and provide a more personal and supportive interaction.

Technology is in a perpetual state of evolution, and healthcare is at the forefront of technological advancements to improve patient care. Mobile phones and telehealth services are increasingly common, and health apps are being deployed to reduce readmission rates for specific medical conditions (Ng et al., 2018). Nurse informaticists are essential in driving the development and implementation of healthcare-based technology. As technology continues to progress, the role of nurse informaticists becomes increasingly vital. The ongoing development of new technologies will expand opportunities for professional interactions and facilitate remote collaboration among healthcare professionals. While this offers numerous advantages, it also raises concerns about the potential loss of in-person communication, a factor of particular significance during times when social interaction is limited. Nurse informaticists represent a valuable resource for advancing healthcare and enhancing patient care.

References

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Mosier, S., Roberts, W. D., & Englebright, J. (2019). A system-level method for developing nursing informatics and solutions: The role of executive leadership. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(11), 543-548. 10.1097/NNA.0000000000000815

Ng, Y. C., Alexander, S., & Frith, K. H. (2018). Integration of mobile health applications in health information technology initiatives: Expanding opportunities for nurse participation in population health. Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 36(5), 209-213. 10.1097/CIN.0000000000000445

 

Interaction Between Nurse Informaticists and Other Specialists

Nature offers many examples of specialization and collaboration. Ant colonies and bee hives are but two examples of nature’s sophisticated organizations. Each thrives because their members specialize by tasks, divide labor, and collaborate to ensure food, safety, and general well-being of the colony or hive. Interaction Between Nurse Informaticists and Other Specialists

Of course, humans don’t fare too badly in this regard either. And healthcare is a great example. As specialists in the collection, access, and application of data, nurse informaticists collaborate with specialists on a regular basis to ensure that appropriate data is available to make decisions and take actions to ensure the general well-being of patients.

In this Discussion, you will reflect on your own observations of and/or experiences with informaticist collaboration. You will also propose strategies for how these collaborative experiences might be improved. Interaction Between Nurse Informaticists and Other Specialists

To Prepare:

• Review the Resources and reflect on the evolution of nursing informatics from a science to a nursing specialty.
• Consider your experiences with nurse Informaticists or technology specialists within your healthcare organization.

By Day 3 of Week 3

Post a description of experiences or observations about how nurse informaticists and/or data or technology specialists interact with other professionals within your healthcare organization. Suggest at least one strategy on how these interactions might be improved. Be specific and provide examples. Then, explain the impact you believe the continued evolution of nursing informatics as a specialty and/or the continued emergence of new technologies might have on professional interactions. Interaction Between Nurse Informaticists and Other Specialistsv

By Day 6 of Week 3

Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days, offering one or more additional interaction strategies in support of the examples/observations shared or by offering further insight to the thoughts shared about the future of these interactions.

Response Post:

I concur with the view that nursing informatics plays a crucial role in advancing the quality of healthcare and the nursing profession as a whole. Recent years have witnessed a significant transformation in the healthcare landscape, with telehealth gaining prominence due to the Affordable Care Act and, more notably, the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth offers numerous advantages, including convenience, cost-effectiveness, the ability to cater to immunocompromised or mobility-challenged individuals, and increased accessibility for those residing in remote areas.

The Value of Critical Thinking in the Field of Psychology Assignment

According to a survey conducted by Harvard Health, nearly three-quarters of Americans expressed an increased interest in trying virtual healthcare services in response to the pandemic. Additionally, one in four Americans aged 50 and above had a virtual health visit within the first three months of the pandemic (Harvard Health, 2020). Telehealth encompasses various services, such as telemedicine, telenursing, and telepharmacy (Weinstein et al., 2014). It fundamentally transforms the delivery of patient care by enabling nurses to remotely monitor and provide healthcare services. Nurse informaticists, with their blend of clinical and technical expertise, play a pivotal role in determining how best to meet the needs of both patients and healthcare organizations.

In the success of telehealth, nurse informaticists are indispensable. They are instrumental in designing and implementing the systems used for telehealth and in educating healthcare professionals about the technology and biometric data required for virtual patient care. As the population’s life expectancy continues to rise, the role of telehealth will become increasingly significant. The ability to leverage technology for remote patient assessment, communication, and care delivery will be a vital component of healthcare in the future.

References:

Harvard Health. (2020). Telehealth: The advantages and disadvantages. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/telehealth-the-advantages-and-disadvantages.

Weinstein, R. L., Lopez, A. M., Joseph, B., Erps, K., Holcomb, M., Barker, G., & Krupinski, E. (2014, March). Telemedicine, Telehealth, and Mobile Health Applications That Work: Opportunities and Barriers. The American Journal of Medicine. http://scholar.google.com/scholar_url?url=http://www.academia.edu/download/42581191/Applications_that_work.pdf&hl=en&sa=X&ei=m43bX7j2GY-Ny9YPt6-10Ac&scisig=AAGBfm31zNtLDXJT_2-7S7hftARrTGuYww&nossl=1&oi=scholarr.

Interaction Between Nurse Informaticists and Other Specialists – Sample 2:

The information related to Covid-19 is currently under intense scrutiny not only within the healthcare organization I work for but also globally. This collective effort aims to coordinate a massive response to contain the spread of the disease. Data is being collected by professionals and experts from various disciplines, and this data is analyzed to generate knowledge that can be shared with decision-makers responsible for public safety. Information routinely collected at my workplace includes results from weekly Covid-19 testing for both staff and patients, daily symptom reports from staff and patients, daily updates on bed availability, and vital sign measurements for patients during each shift. Nurses on the inpatient unit gather this information, which is then communicated verbally and electronically to doctors, administrators, building supervisors, and public health officials to inform patient care and staffing decisions.

To enhance the efficient sharing of this information gathered on the inpatient unit, it is essential to ensure that different disciplines and professions align their approaches. Nursing staff on the inpatient unit should be informed about the specific information required, and it must be reported in a manner that is easily accessible and understandable to the recipients. Providing extraneous or unnecessary information can impede the analysis of data and slow down the implementation of effective interventions.

As nursing informatics evolves into a specialized field, nurses will increasingly engage in collaborative interactions with other professionals to enhance patient outcomes. Knowledge will be derived from data, analyzed, shared across various professions, and integrated into the practices of multiple disciplines.

References:

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Nordsteien, A., & Bystrom, K. (2018). Transitions in workplace information practices and culture: The influence of newcomers on information use in healthcare. Journal of Documentation, 74(4), 827–843. www.emeraldinsight.com/0022-0418.htm

Skiba, D. J. (2017). Nursing informatics education: From automation to connected care. In Forecasting informatics competencies for nurses in the future of connected health (pp. 9–19). IMIA; IOS Press. https://doi.org/10.3233/978-1-61499-738-2-9