Nursing informatics: an evolving specialty.

Nursing informatics: an evolving specialty. Meadows G. Abstract Health care organizations will continue to invest heavily in clinical information systems to help improve patient safety, reduce variability of care, and increase the efficiency of their staff. These clinical information systems can assist in reducing medication errors through sophisticated medication management solutions and provide clinical decision support to aid in the decision making of all clinicians. They can also help offset the effects of a growing worker shortage, especially hard-felt in nursing, by reducing redundant tasks, improving communication, and streamlining clinical data collection. As these clinical systems are implemented, there is an increased need for information management of all of this complex data. By bringing both clinical and information systems expertise to bear, the informatics nurse plays a crucial role in ensuring that these goals are met to help the organization maximize its use of clinical information technology.$ PMID: 12567934 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Doctoral specialization in nursing informatics.

Doctoral specialization in nursing informatics. C. A. Gassert, M. E. Mills, and B. R. Heller A prototype program of doctoral study has been developed at the University of Maryland School of Nursing to prepare students with nursing expertise in the conceptualization and research of computer based information systems in hospitals, industry and other health care organizations. The graduate will be prepared to design effective nursing information systems; create innovative information technology; conduct research regarding integration of technology with nursing practice, administration, and education; and develop theoretical, practice, and evaluation models for nursing informatics. PMCID: PMC2247536

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Leadership in nursing informatics.

McCartney PR.

Abstract

Nursing informatics is a 21st century science with great potential for improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of health care. Perinatal, neonatal, and women's health nurses have an opportunity to contribute and lead in informatics. Leaders must learn about current informatics issues from essential resources, including the literature, professional organizations, and education programs, to develop successful strategies for innovation, collaboration, and implementation. Most important, nurses must be accountable for humanizing the use of technology using a nursing model.

PMID:15180201 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Information literacy as the foundation for evidence-based practice in graduate nursing education: a curriculum-integrated approach.

Jacobs SK, Rosenfeld P, Haber J.

Abstract

As part of a system-wide initiative to advance evidence-based practice among clinicians, graduate students, and educators, the New York University Division of Nursing embarked on a curricular initiative to integrate components of information literacy in all core courses of the master's program. Increasing competency in information literacy is the foundation for evidence-based practice and provides nursing professionals with the skills to be literate consumers of information in an electronic environment. Competency in information literacy includes an understanding of the architecture of information and the scholarly process; the ability to navigate among a variety of print and electronic tools to effectively access, search, and critically evaluate appropriate resources; synthesize accumulated information into an existing body of knowledge; communicate research results clearly and effectively; and appreciate the social issues and ethical concerns related to the provision, dissemination, and sharing of information. In collaboration with the New York University Division of Libraries' Health Sciences Librarian, instructional modules in information literacy relevant to each of the 5 core nursing master's courses were developed, complemented by a Web-based tutorial: http://library.nyu.edu/research/health/tutorial. The Web site is multifaceted, with fundamentals for the beginner, as well as more complex content for the advanced user. Course assignments were designed to promote specific competencies in information literacy and strategies for evaluating the strength of the evidence found. A survey of information literacy competencies, which assessed students' knowledge, misconceptions, and use of electronic information resources, was administered when students entered the program and at 1-year intervals thereafter.

PMID:14613072 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Informatics competencies for nursing and healthcare leaders.

Westra BL, Delaney CW.

Source

Abstract

Historically, educational preparation did not address informatics competencies; thus managers, administrators, or executives may not be prepared to use or lead change in the use of health information technologies. A number of resources for informatics competencies exist, however, a comprehensive list addressing the unique knowledge and skills required in the role of a manager or administrator was not found. The purpose of this study was to develop informatics competencies for nursing leaders. A synthesis of the literature and a Delphi approach using three rounds of surveys with an expert panel resulted in identification of informatics competencies for nursing leaders that address computer skills, informatics knowledge, and informatics skills.Informatics and Nursing: Competencies and Applications

PMID:

 

18998803

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 

PMCID: PMC2655955

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Computers in nursing: development of free software application with care and management

[Article in Portuguese]

dos Santos SR.

Source

Abstract

This study aimed at developing an information system in nursing with the implementation of nursing care and management of the service. The SisEnf--Information System inNursing--is a free software module that comprises the care of nursing: history, clinical examination and care plan; the management module consists of: service shifts, personnel management, hospital indicators and other elements. The system was implemented at the Medical Clinic of the Lauro Wanderley University Hospital, at Universidade Federal da Paraiba. In view of the need to bring user and developer closer, in addition to the constant change of functional requirements during the interactive process, the method of unified process was used. The SisEnf was developed on a WEB platform and using free software. Hence, the work developed aimed at assisting in the working process of nursing, which will now have the opportunity to incorporate information technology in their work routine.Computers in Nursing: Bridges to the Future

PMID:

 

20642038

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 

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Australian Nursing Informatics Competency Project.

Foster J, Bryce J.

Source.au

Abstract

A study of Australian nurses on their use of information technology in the workplace was undertaken by the Australian Essentials of Nursing Informatics (Saba, Essentials of Nursing Informatics)Nursing Federation (ANF) in 2007. This study of over 4000 nurses highlighted that nurses recognise benefits to adopting more information technology in the workplace although there are significant barriers to their use. It also identified gross deficits in the capacity of the nursing workforce to engage in the digital processing of information. Following the release of the study last year, the ANF commenced work on a number of key recommendations from the report in order to overcome identified barriers and provide opportunities for nurses to better utilise information technology and information management systems. One of these recommendations was to seek research funding to develop national information technology and information management competency standards for nurses. This project has now received Federal Government funding to undertake this development. This project is being developed in collaboration with the ANF and the Queensland University of Technology. This paper will discuss the methodology, development and publication of the Australian Nursing Informatics Competency Standards Project which is currently underway and due for completion in May 2009. The Australian Nursing Informatics Competencies will be presented at the conference.

PMID:

 

19592904

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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An analysis of published nursing informatics competencies.

Carter-Templeton H, Patterson R, Russell C.

Source

 Abstract

Nursing informatics competency lists can provide a clear picture of required skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed for today's nursing workforce in a high-tech environment. Many stakeholders such as employers and educators have a vested interest in defining nursing informatics competencies for nurses. The primary objective of this paper was to compare and contrast published nursing informatics competencies. A literature search was conducted using the terms "informatics competencies" and "nursing informatics competencies" via PubMeb and CINAHL for relevant articles. The search captured 37 articles; however, only six met the inclusion criteria set prior to the search. These six competency lists were reviewed for audience, sample size, design, categories used to classify competencies and operational examples of competencies. Findings revealed that there is variation among published informatics competencies in regard to content, presentation, and audience. A general list of competencies that can be utilized by nurses at all levels is needed. As a result nurses could operationalize and measure the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to execute safe and effective nursing care in today's health care setting.

PMID:

 

19592901

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Nursing informatics competencies required of nurses in Taiwan.

Chang J, Poynton MR, Gassert CA, Staggers N.

Source

Abstract

PURPOSE:

In today's workplace, nurses are highly skilled professionals possessing expertise in both information technology and nursing. Nursing informatics competencies are recognized as an important capability of nurses. No established guidelines existed for nurses in Asia. This study focused on identifying the nursing informatics competenciesrequired of nurses in Taiwan.

METHODS:

A modified Web-based Delphi method was used for two expert groups in nursing, educators and administrators. Experts responded to 323 items on the Nursing Informatics Competencies Questionnaire, modified from the initial work of Staggers, Gassert and Curran to include 45 additional items. Three Web-based Delphi rounds were conducted. Analysis included detailed item analysis. Competencies that met 60% or greater agreement of item importance and appropriate level of nursing practice were included.

RESULTS:

N=32 experts agreed to participate in Round 1, 23 nursing educators and 9 administrators. The participation rates for Rounds 2 and 3=68.8%. By Round 3, 318 of 323 nursing informatics competencies achieved required consensus levels. Of the new competencies, 42 of 45 were validated. A high degree of agreement existed for specificnursing informatics competencies required for nurses in Taiwan (97.8%).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study provides a current master list of nursing informatics competency requirements for nurses at four levels in the U.S. and Taiwan. The results are very similar to the original work of Staggers et al. The results have international relevance because of the global importance of information technology for the nursing profession.

2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

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