Nursing Informatics Systems

Just like other fields, the nursing profession is turning towards using computers for many areas of their daily tasks.  These areas include documentation, building an information database, and communication between shifts, departments, and even facilities.  A broad base of benefits come with nursing informatics, both in terms of direct and individual job performance and in terms of benefits to the nursing profession overall.  According to McCormick and Delaney (2004) “many reports” support computerizing nursing practices “in reducing medical errors and encourage implementation of evidence-based healthcare practice” (p. 4).Nursing Informatics Systems Sample

One recommended format for informatic systems is that of bedside terminals.  McCormick and Delaney state that these easy-to-use systems have the benefits of care plan integration, eliminating data redundancy, and increased accessibility of data.  The authors also indicate that there are “soft benefits related to improvements in patients safety,” as well as in communication between nurses and smoother workflow between care providers (p. 4).

A survey conducted by Lofstrom (2004) for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) indicated that quality initiatives, including problem solving and patient care, were identified by 25% of the respondents as being among their top three job responsibilities (p. 4).  Many of the survey respondents also identified development and implementing informatics as part of their daily tasks (p. 8). Nursing Informatics Systems Sample