NURSING

INFORMATICS
 WHAT IS
INFORMATICS?
It is the science of information and
all its aspect - its storage, its
process, how it is communicated and
how it is used.
The word was coined as the name of
one of the software companies
Coined by Walter Bauer
derived from the French word
“informatique”
The healthcare field has become a
dominant user of informatics
 TERMS TO UNDERSTAND
Information Science - discipline that studies information
processing
Information System - hardware and software
Information Technology - the general term for information
processing with computers
Information Management - The process of turning data into
information and knowledge
Informatics - a combination of the study of information
processing and computers
 WHAT IS
NURSING
INFORMATICS?
 A combination of computer science,
information science and nursing
science designed to assist in the
DEFINITION management and processing of
nursing data, information, and
knowledge to support the practice
(Graves & Corcoran, 1989).

It is the application of computer

technology to all fields of nursing
- nursing service, nursing
education, and nursing research
(Scholes and Barber 1980)
 Branch of informatics concerned with
nurses use of computer technology &
management of information that facilitates
DEFINITION nursing practice and enhances nursing
knowledge
(McCormick & Saba).
 Integrates nursing science, computer science
and information to manage and communicate data,
information, knowledge and wisdom into nursing
DEFINITION practice.
(American Nurses Association, 2008

Nursing Informatics science and practice

integrates nursing, its information and
knowledge adn their management, with
information and communication technologies to
promote the health of people, families, and
communities worldwide
(American Medical Informatics Association AMIA)
WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN
IF THERE ARE NO COMPUTERS IN
HEALTH CARE?
 ROLE OF COMPUTERS IN 1960
handled administrative tasks
lead to the development of the
healthcare information technology (HIT)
and the electronic health record (EHR)
systems
HEALTHCARE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
refers to technology that captures,
processes, and generates healthcare
information
Computerization and/or electronic
processing affect all aspects of
healthcare delivery
refers to the use of technology to
manage and improve the delivery of
healthcare services
provision and documentation of patient care
education of healthcare providers
scientific research for advancing healthcare delivery
administration of healthcare delivery services
reimbursement for patient care
legal and ethical implications
safety and quality issues
ROLE OF COMPUTERS IN
MODERN NURSING
 COMPUTERS ARE USED TO:
manage patient information
DETAILED
monitor quality and evaluate outcomes MULTIPLE
nurses use systems for planning, budgeting and policy
DESCRIPTIONS PERSPECTIVES
making
real-time plans of care
support nursing research
enhances nursing education
 HISTORICAL
PERSPECTIVE OF
NURSING AND
COMPUTERS
 SEVEN TIME PERIODS
Computers were introduced in the nursing profession over 40
years ago
Milestones were achieved with: advancement of computer and
information technology, increased need for nursing data,
development of nursing applications, making the profession
autonomous
 PRIOR TO 1960S
few experts nationally and internationally
Gordon Moore - Moore’s Law
first use of computers in the healthcare industry in 1950s
Computers were used for basic office, administrative and
financial functions
First computers used punch cards to store data and
teletyperwirters for outpur
 1960S
the use of computer technology in healthcare was explored
Studies were conducted on how computer technology could be
utilized effectively in the healthcare industry
the nurse’s station became the hub of information exchange
In the mid 1960s, nurses became super users of computers due to
the proliferation of the ICUs
1960s - some hospitals began using
patient care applications
Cardiac Unit in 1965
 1970S
hospitals began developing computer-based information systems
(was not specific to nursing but nurses were involved in
implementing HIT systems)
between 1960s to 1970s, computers began to emerge in public
health, home health and education
birth of computerized teaching system called PLATO
advancements were used by nurses ex. the first point of care
blood glucose monitor became available in 1970
•Birth of Nursing Data Standards: The North American Nursing
Diagnosis Association (NANDA) was founded.
 1980S
Ni became an integral part of healthcare
Availability of PCs made technology more accessible
The need for nursing software evolved
Automated dispensing cabinets were introduced (helps reduce
medication errors)
•Many mainframe healthcare information systems (HISs) emerged
with nursing subsystems.
•Nurses began presenting at multidisciplinary conferences and
formed their own working groups within HIT organizations
•Essentials of Computers for Nurses published in 1986, were
used for educational courses introduced in the academic nursing
programs, and workshops conducted on computers and nursing.
 1980S
Nurses began presenting at multidisciplinary conferences and
formed their own working groups within HIT organizations
Nursing began focusing on what was unique about nursing within
the context of informatics
The first edition of this book Essentials of Computers for
Nurses published in 1986, were used for educational courses
introduced
 1990S
Large healthcare delivery systems emerged
Applications were made affordable
In 1992, the ANA recognized nursing informatics as a specialty,
and the demand for informatics expertise grew.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
of 1996 laid the groundwork for electronic health records
(EHRs).
The ANA developed standards for evaluating nursing information
systems, and by the mid-1990s, the Internet revolutionized
access to healthcare information
By 1995, the Internet began providing access to information and
knowledge databases to be integrated into desktop computer
systems.
Computer hardware—PCs—continued to get smaller and computer notebooks
were becoming affordable
The Internet moved into the mainstream social milieu
 2000S
More healthcare information became digitalized and newer
technologies emerged
Widespread adoption of interoperable EHRs
Key innovations included barcode medication administration,
systems, radiofrequency for patient equipment safety, and
mobile devices that enhanced information access
A barcode medication administration system was first
implemented
In the late 2000s, hospitals became “paperless”
Voice over Internet protocol
remote database for EHR was made available
smaller mobile devices became wireless
 2010S
HITECH Act of 2009 led to the development of the Meaningful Use
program

STAGES:
The program unfolded in stages: MU Stage 1 (2011-2012) focused
on computerized physician order entry (CPOE),
Stage 2 (2013-2015) emphasized the use of quality indicators
and patient safety through electronic data collection.
Stage 3, which focused on care quality outcome measures
ELECTRONIC HEALTH
RECORD SYSTEMS
 DEFINITION
digital version of a patient’s paper chart which contains more
comprehensive collection of their health information
designed to be shared across the different healthcare settings
THE NURSE AS A KNOWLEDGE WORKER
RNs gather data, use information, use knowledge and build
knowledge
Information Management in healthcare supports the efforts of
the nurse
Good information is essential in caring patient. Inaccurate
data leads to medical errors.
Nurses rely on their knowledge but need information in order to
provide safer patient care.
Technology supports evidence-based practice
Nurses use data and information from multiple sources
NURSING CAREERS IN NURSING INFORMATICS
Nurse Informaticist - Focuses on optimizing healthcare
technology to improve patient care and clinical workflows

Clinical Informatics Specialist - Serves as a liaison between

clinical staff and IT teams to ensure effective use of
healthcare technology

Health Informatics Consultant - Advises healthcare

organizations on improving processes, implementing new
technology, or optimizing current systems

Nursing Data Analyst - Focuses on analyzing healthcare data to

improve patient outcomes, identify trends, and support
decision-making.
NURSING CAREERS IN NURSING INFORMATICS
Clinical Applications Specialist - Works with healthcare
providers to implement, configure, and troubleshoot clinical
software applications.

Chief Nursing Informatics Officer (CNIO) - A leadership

position focused on integrating nursing practice with
healthcare technology.

Telehealth Nurse Specialist - Manages the integration and use

of telehealth technology to expand access to care.

Nurse Educator in Informatics - Teaches nursing informatics in

academic or clinical settings.
 THE END
Good luck with your studies!