As a professional nurse, you are expected to apply your expertise to patient care. On occasion, you will also be expected to share that expertise. With evolving technology and continuous changes to regulations designed to keep up these changes, there is usually a need to share information and expertise to inform colleagues, leadership, patients, and other stakeholders. In this Assignment, you will study a recent nursing informatics-related healthcare policy, and you will share the relevant details via a fact sheet designed to inform and educate.
Introduction
As the field of nursing continues to evolve, so does the need for nurses to stay informed about healthcare policies that impact their practice. One area that has seen significant growth in recent years is nursing informatics. Nursing informatics is the use of technology and data to improve patient care and outcomes. In light of this, it is important for nurses to understand and stay up-to-date with healthcare policies related to nursing informatics.
The purpose of this assignment is to study a recent nursing informatics-related healthcare policy and develop a fact sheet that will inform and educate nurses, colleagues, leadership, patients, and other stakeholders.
Background
Technology continues to revolutionize healthcare, and nursing informatics plays a vital role in this transformation. Nursing informatics is the specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice (ANA, 2015).
Nursing informatics has the potential to improve patient outcomes by ensuring that accurate and timely information is available to healthcare providers. It can also enhance communication and collaboration among interdisciplinary teams, thereby improving the overall quality and safety of patient care.
Healthcare policies related to nursing informatics provide guidance and regulations for nurses and healthcare organizations on the use and implementation of technology in practice. These policies are important as they ensure that nurses have the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively utilize technology and that patient data is managed and protected appropriately.
Recent Nursing Informatics-related Healthcare Policy
One recent nursing informatics-related healthcare policy that warrants attention is The Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. This program was enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and is commonly referred to as the Meaningful Use program (CMS, 2019).
The Meaningful Use program was designed to encourage healthcare providers to adopt and effectively use electronic health record (EHR) systems. It provides financial incentives for eligible professionals and hospitals that demonstrate the “meaningful use” of certified EHR technology to improve patient care (CMS, 2019).
The goals of the Meaningful Use program include improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare through the use of EHRs. It aims to promote the use of technology for clinical decision-making, engage patients and families in their care, and improve population health outcomes (CMS, 2019).
In order to receive the incentives provided by the Meaningful Use program, healthcare providers must meet certain benchmarks and objectives related to the use of EHR technology. These objectives include the capture and transmission of health information, the use of clinical decision support, the implementation of privacy and security measures, and the engagement of patients and families in their care (CMS, 2019).
Implications for Nursing Practice
The Meaningful Use program has significant implications for nursing practice. Nurses play a key role in the implementation and use of EHR technology, as they are responsible for documenting patient care and managing patient data. The program provides nurses with the opportunity to leverage technology to improve the quality and safety of patient care.
By participating in the Meaningful Use program, nurses can contribute to the achievement of the program’s goals of improving healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency. They can utilize EHR systems to access and analyze patient data, provide evidence-based care, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams.
Furthermore, nurses can play a critical role in engaging patients and families in their care through the use of technology. By leveraging patient portals and other electronic communication tools, nurses can empower patients to take an active role in their healthcare, enhancing patient outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, staying informed about nursing informatics-related healthcare policies is crucial for nurses to effectively utilize technology and provide high-quality patient care. The Meaningful Use program is an example of a recent healthcare policy that nurses should be familiar with.
The program provides incentives for healthcare providers to adopt and effectively use EHR technology, with the aim of improving patient care and outcomes. Nurses have a significant role to play in the implementation and use of EHR systems, and by participating in the Meaningful Use program, can contribute to the achievement of its goals.
By developing a fact sheet on the Meaningful Use program, nurses can inform and educate colleagues, leadership, patients, and other stakeholders about the policy’s implications and benefits. This knowledge will empower nurses to make informed decisions, advocate for the use of technology in practice, and ultimately improve the overall quality and safety of patient care.