Topic: Nursing Informatics-(Area of focus examples: Telenursing, telehealth, pediatrics etc.) The article to use is attached Paper Components: • Introduction • Description Health issue • How is Nursing Informatics applied to the identified health issue • Benefits and Challenges identified • Conclusion Criteria: Pages 2-3 pages of content, double spaced 1 page References Format APA, double spaced Purchase the answer to view it Purchase the answer to view it
Introduction
Nursing informatics is a specialized field of nursing that focuses on the integration of information and communication technologies into healthcare settings to enhance patient care outcomes, promote efficient and effective healthcare delivery, and improve the overall healthcare system. Within this broad field, there are various areas of focus, such as telenursing, telehealth, and pediatrics, each with its own unique application and impact on the nursing profession. This paper will examine the application of nursing informatics to a specific health issue, discussing the benefits and challenges associated with its implementation.
Description of Health Issue
One health issue that can greatly benefit from the integration of nursing informatics is medication administration errors. Medication errors are a major concern in healthcare settings and can lead to adverse drug events, patient harm, increased healthcare costs, and even death. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), medication errors harm at least 1.5 million patients every year in the United States alone (Institute of Medicine, 2006). These errors occur at various points in the medication administration process, including prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, and administering.
How Nursing Informatics is Applied to the Identified Health Issue
Nursing informatics can play a crucial role in reducing medication administration errors by providing healthcare professionals with real-time access to accurate patient information, including medication history, allergies, and contraindications. Electronic health records (EHRs) and computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems enable nurses to quickly and accurately verify medication orders, reducing the risk of transcription errors. In addition, barcode scanning technology can be used at the patient’s bedside to ensure that the right medication is being administered to the right patient at the right time and dose.
Benefits and Challenges Identified
The application of nursing informatics to medication administration can result in numerous benefits. First and foremost, it can significantly reduce medication errors, leading to improved patient safety and health outcomes. Studies have shown that the use of CPOE systems and barcode scanning technology can reduce medication administration errors by up to 85% (Nuckols et al., 2008). In addition, the real-time access to patient information provided by EHRs can facilitate medication reconciliation, ensuring that medications ordered in different healthcare settings are accurately documented and communicated during transitions of care.
Furthermore, nursing informatics can enhance medication administration efficiency and workflow. By automating certain tasks, such as medication order entry and prescription refills, nurses can save time and allocate their resources more effectively. This enables nurses to spend more time providing direct patient care and addressing patients’ needs, improving patient satisfaction and overall nursing care quality.
However, the implementation of nursing informatics in medication administration is not without challenges. One major challenge is the need for extensive training and education. Nurses, as well as other healthcare professionals, need to be proficient in using EHRs, CPOE systems, and barcode scanning technology to ensure accurate and safe medication administration. This requires initial training and ongoing education to keep up with the ever-evolving technology and software updates. Lack of resources and limited access to training programs can impede the successful implementation of nursing informatics in healthcare settings. Additionally, resistance to change and fear of technology among healthcare professionals can also pose challenges to the integration of nursing informatics into medication administration practices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, nursing informatics has the potential to greatly impact patient care and outcomes, particularly in the area of medication administration. By providing healthcare professionals with real-time access to patient information and facilitating efficient and accurate medication administration processes, nursing informatics can reduce medication errors and improve patient safety and healthcare delivery. However, the successful application of nursing informatics in medication administration requires comprehensive training and education, as well as addressing potential resistance to change among healthcare professionals. Despite the challenges, the benefits of integrating nursing informatics into medication administration far outweigh the difficulties, making it a valuable tool in improving patient care quality and safety.