Question 1 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 in 1 page
Introduction
As a professional nurse, it is essential to stay informed about the latest healthcare policies and regulations related to nursing informatics. Nursing informatics refers to the application of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve the delivery of patient care and enhance healthcare outcomes. With the rapid advancements in technology and the ever-changing healthcare landscape, there is a constant need for nurses to stay updated and share their expertise with various stakeholders. This assignment aims to analyze a recent nursing informatics-related healthcare policy and provide a concise overview.
Background
In recent years, there has been a significant push to digitize healthcare systems and integrate technology into nursing practice. This shift is driven by the need for improved patient safety, quality of care, and efficiency in healthcare delivery. One of the key policies that have emerged to support this transformation is the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009. The HITECH Act is a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that aims to promote the adoption and meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) by healthcare providers.
Analysis
The HITECH Act has transformed the healthcare landscape by providing financial incentives for healthcare organizations to implement EHR systems and meaningful use criteria. Before the introduction of this act, many healthcare providers relied on paper-based medical records, which posed numerous challenges such as data fragmentation, poor accessibility, and the increased risk of medical errors. By incentivizing the adoption of EHRs, the HITECH Act has propelled the healthcare industry towards a more interconnected and technologically advanced future.
One of the main provisions of the HITECH Act is the establishment of the Meaningful Use (MU) program. The MU program outlines specific objectives and measures that eligible healthcare providers must meet to qualify for incentive payments. These objectives include capturing and sharing patient data electronically, using clinical decision support systems, and e-prescribing medication. By aligning healthcare providers’ activities with these objectives, the MU program aims to promote a higher quality and safer healthcare system.
Additionally, the HITECH Act has encouraged the development and implementation of health information exchange (HIE) systems. HIE systems enable the secure sharing of patient information across different healthcare organizations, facilitating care coordination and improving patient outcomes. The act has provided funding and support for the establishment of regional and state-level HIE networks, enabling healthcare providers to exchange patient data seamlessly.
The HITECH Act has also spurred technological advancements in the field of nursing informatics. The widespread adoption of EHRs has created vast amounts of clinical data that can be analyzed to generate insights and inform evidence-based practice. Nurses play a crucial role in leveraging these data through nursing informatics tools such as clinical decision support systems, computerized provider order entry (CPOE), and telemedicine. By utilizing these technologies, nurses can improve patient care, enhance patient education, and contribute to research and quality improvement initiatives.
Conclusion
The HITECH Act has had a significant impact on the healthcare industry, particularly in promoting the adoption and meaningful use of technology in nursing practice. By incentivizing the use of EHRs and establishing the MU program, the act has paved the way for a more interconnected and data-driven healthcare system. Nurses, as indispensable members of the healthcare team, have a vital role in embracing these technological changes and leveraging nursing informatics to improve patient outcomes. Staying informed about healthcare policies such as the HITECH Act will enable nurses to share their expertise effectively and contribute to the ongoing advancement of nursing informatics.