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The document outlines the evolution of computing systems from the first generation using vacuum tubes to the current fifth generation focused on artificial intelligence. It details the characteristics and functionalities of various computer types, including supercomputers, mainframes, mini computers, workstations, and personal computers. Additionally, it explains the roles of hardware and software components within a computer system.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
16 views11 pages

Ni Reviewer

The document outlines the evolution of computing systems from the first generation using vacuum tubes to the current fifth generation focused on artificial intelligence. It details the characteristics and functionalities of various computer types, including supercomputers, mainframes, mini computers, workstations, and personal computers. Additionally, it explains the roles of hardware and software components within a computer system.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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REVIEWER IN NURSING INFORMATICS

COMPUTING SYSTEM GENERATION 4TH GEN (1972- 1980)

 1ST GEN (1940-56) LSI & VLSI were used in this generation. As a result
 2ND GEN (1956-63) microprocessors came into existence. The computers
 3RD GEN (1964-71) using this technology known to be Micro Computer.
 4TH GEN (1972- 1980) High capacity hard disk were invented. There is great
 5TH GEN (1980-Present) development in data communication. Fourth generation
computers became more powerful, compact, reliable,
1ST GEN (1940-56) and affordable.
The first generation computers used vacuum tubes & As a result, it gave rise to Personal Computer (PC)
machine language was used for giving the instructions. revolution. In this generation, time sharing, real time
These computers were large in size & their networks, distributed operating system were used. All
programming was difficult task. The electricity the high-level languages like C, C++, DBASE etc., were
consumption was very high. Some computers of this used in this generation.
generation are ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC & UNIVAC-1.
5TH GEN (1980-Present)
In this generation, mainly batch processing operating
system was used. Punch cards, paper tape, and Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial
magnetic tape was used as input and output devices. intelligence, are still in development, though there are
The computers in this generation used machine code as some applications, such as voice recognition, that are
the programming language. being used today. The use of parallel processing and
superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence
2ND GEN (1956-63) a reality.
In 2nd generation computers, vacuum tubes were Quantum computation and molecular and
replaced by transistors. They required only 1/10 of nanotechnology will radically change the face of
power required by tubes. This generation computers computers in years to come. Some computer types of
generated less heat & were reliable. The first operating this generation are − Desktop, Laptop, Note Book and
system developed in this generation. IBM 1620, IBM Ultra Book.
7094, CDC 1604 are the examples of this generations
computers. COMPUTING SYSTEM GENERATION

In 2nd generation, magnetic cores were used as the SUPERCOMPUTER: A supercomputer is a high-
primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic disks performance computer system designed to perform
as secondary storage devices. large-scale computations at extraordinary speeds. These
machines are capable of handling complex simulations,
3RD GEN (1964-71) modeling, and data-intensive tasks that ordinary
The 3rd generation computers replaced transistors with computers cannot manage due to their immense
Integrated circuit known as chip. From Small scale computational power.
integrated circuits which had 10 transistors per chip, 5 Characteristics of Supercomputers:
technology developed to MSI circuits with 100
transistors per chip. These computers were smaller,  High Processing Speed: Supercomputers can
faster & more reliable. High level languages invented in execute trillions of calculations per second, often
this generation. The IC was invented by Jack Kilby. measured in FLOPS (Floating Point Operations Per
Second), enabling them to perform complex tasks
This development made computers smaller in size, quickly.
reliable, and efficient. In this generation remote  Parallel Processing: They consist of thousands or
processing, time-sharing, multiprogramming operating millions of processors working in parallel to solve
of computers in 3rd generation. problems faster and more efficiently.
REVIEWER IN NURSING INFORMATICS
 Massive Storage Capacity: Supercomputers have  Security and Data Integrity: Mainframe computers
enormous amounts of RAM and storage to handle have robust security features, such as advanced
and access large datasets required for scientific encryption, access controls, and auditing
simulations and computations. mechanisms, ensuring the integrity and
 Advanced Cooling Systems: Due to the intense heat confidentiality of sensitive data.
generated by the hardware, supercomputers use
MINI COMPUTER: A mini computer is a class of mid-
advanced cooling techniques, such as liquid cooling,
sized computers that are more powerful than
to prevent overheating.
microcomputers (personal computers) but less powerful
 Specialized Hardware: Many supercomputers use
than mainframe computers. Mini computers were
specialized components like Graphics Processing
originally designed to provide affordable and reliable
Units (GPUs) or custom processors to optimize
computing solutions for small and medium-sized
performance for specific tasks like AI or machine
businesses or departmental use within larger
learning.
organizations. They typically support multiple users and
MAINFRAME COMPUTER: A mainframe computer is a are capable of running several applications
powerful, high-performance computing system used concurrently. Over time, mini computers have evolved
primarily by large organizations for critical applications, into more advanced systems, often referred to as mid-
including bulk data processing, enterprise resource range computers.
planning (ERP), transaction processing, and large-scale
5 Characteristics of Mini Computers:
scientific computations. Mainframes are designed for
reliability, scalability, and the ability to handle and  Moderate Processing Power: Mini computers have
process vast amounts of data concurrently. Unlike more processing power than personal computers,
personal computers or servers, mainframes can support capable of handling multiple tasks and users
hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously, often simultaneously. They are generally used for
with dedicated resources for specific tasks or medium-scale data processing and applications.
applications.  Multi-User Support: Unlike microcomputers, mini
computers can support multiple users at once,
5 Characteristics of Mainframe Computers:
making them ideal for small businesses,
 High Processing Power: Mainframe computers are laboratories, and departments within large
designed to handle large-scale computational tasks organizations.
and process huge volumes of data quickly. They  Compact Size: While still larger than personal
have the capacity to perform millions of computers, mini computers are smaller than
transactions per second. mainframe computers, offering a balance between
 Scalability: Mainframes can be easily scaled to performance and space requirements.
accommodate increased workloads, both in terms  Cost-Effective: Mini computers are generally less
of processing power and storage. Additional expensive than mainframe systems, offering a more
resources can be added to meet growing demands. affordable solution for medium-sized enterprises or
 Reliability and Availability: Mainframes are known departments within large organizations needing
for their high reliability, minimal downtime, and more power than typical PCs.
continuous operation. They often include built-in  Multiple Input/Output Capabilities: They often
redundancy and failover mechanisms to ensure that come with multiple I/O ports, allowing various
operations remain uninterrupted, making them peripherals (like terminals, printers, and disk drives)
ideal for mission-critical applications. to be connected and managed simultaneously.
 Multi-User Capability: Mainframe systems are
designed to support a large number of concurrent
users, allowing them to share resources efficiently
through virtualization and multitasking capabilities.
REVIEWER IN NURSING INFORMATICS

WORKSTATION COMPUTER: A workstation is a high- affordable, and less powerful than specialized
performance computer designed for professional use in computing systems like mainframes or workstations.
fields that require intensive computational power, high- They are suitable for both home and office
resolution graphics, and large-scale data processing. environments and can be used by a single user at a
Workstations are typically used by engineers, scientists, time.
designers, architects, and animators for tasks such as 3D
5 Characteristics of Personal Computers:
modeling, simulations, computer-aided design (CAD),
and video editing. Unlike personal computers,  Affordability: Personal computers are designed to
workstations have specialized hardware and software be cost-effective for individual users or small
configurations tailored to meet the demanding businesses. The price is generally lower compared
requirements of these industries. to more specialized computers like servers or
workstations.
5 Characteristics of Workstation Computers:
 Versatility: PCs are capable of running a variety of
 High Processing Power: Workstations are equipped software applications, ranging from basic
with powerful multi-core processors, often Intel productivity tools (e.g., word processors,
Xeon or AMD Ryzen Threadripper, enabling them to spreadsheets) to entertainment software (e.g.,
perform complex computations and handle large games, media players).
datasets effectively.  User-Friendly Interface: Personal computers are
 Advanced Graphics Capabilities: Many workstations designed with graphical user interfaces (GUIs),
include high-end graphics processing units (GPUs), making them easy to operate for non-experts. Most
like NVIDIA Quadro or AMD Radeon Pro, which are PCs use operating systems like Windows, macOS, or
optimized for rendering 3D graphics, simulations, Linux, which feature intuitive designs.
and other graphics-intensive tasks.  Customization and Upgradability: Personal
 Large Memory Capacity: Workstations typically computers are often customizable, with users able
come with much higher RAM capacity than regular to upgrade components like RAM, storage, graphics
desktop computers, often ranging from 16GB to card, and CPU to meet their needs or preferences.
128GB or more, allowing them to handle large  Connectivity: PCs are equipped with multiple
datasets and multitask with multiple resource- connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB
intensive applications. ports, and Bluetooth, allowing users to connect to
 High Storage Capacity: Workstations often have the internet, peripheral devices, and networks.
large, fast storage systems, including multiple SSDs
COMPUTER SYSTEMS
(Solid-State Drives) or RAID (Redundant Array of
Independent Disks) configurations, for quick data COMPUTER SYSTEM is a combination of HARDWARE
access and redundancy. and SOFTWARE devices that help computers to receive
 Reliability and Durability: Designed for professional data or information by communicating with each other.
use, workstations are built with a focus on It is a set of integrated devices that accept data (input),
reliability, extended uptime, and durability, Then process it and finally give us a result (output) This
ensuring that they can handle long hours of is known as the”Computer System”.
continuous use without performance degradation
The computer system work with the help of the main
or failure.
four basic work ‘INPUT’, ‘OUTPUT’, ‘STORAGE’, and
PERSONAL COMPUTER ( PC ): A personal computer (PC) ‘PROCESSING’. These four words define the meaning of
is a versatile, general-purpose computing device Computer systems.
designed for individual use. It can perform a wide range
It includes a CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc, and
of tasks such as word processing, internet browsing,
many other components, etc.
gaming, media consumption, and running various
productivity software. PCs are typically smaller, more
REVIEWER IN NURSING INFORMATICS

COMPUTER HARDWARE: A computer's hardware  Hard Disk Drive (HDD) |A traditional


consists of its PHYSICAL PARTS, including its internal storage device used to store operating
pieces and connected external devices. Hardware systems, files, and software applications.
components perform a computer's tasks like calculating  Printer | An external device that produces
data, storing information, processing input, and physical copies of digital documents and
providing output. Any part of a computer that you can images.
physically touch is hardware.  Random Access Memory (RAM) | Volatile
memory that temporarily holds data and
All hardware devices, whether INTERNAL or EXTERNAL,
instructions for quick access by the CPU
include chips on a circuit board to perform a function.
while the computer is running.
All hardware also requires a way to interface with the
 External Hard Drive | A portable storage
rest of the computer, usually by connecting to a port,
device used to back up data, transfer files,
socket, or wireless radio. After that, pieces of hardware
or extend storage capacity.
will include other parts that help them fulfill their
 Power Supply Unit (PSU) | Converts
function, like buttons, sensors, protective cases, or even
electrical power from an outlet into usable
cooling fans to prevent overheating.
DC power for the computer’s internal
 INTERNAL HARDWARE: Internal hardware refers to components.
the physical components inside the computer case  Keyboard |An input device used for typing
or chassis. These components are critical to the text and interacting with the computer's
functioning of the computer system, as they handle operating system and applications.
tasks such as processing, memory management,
COMPUTER SOFTWARE: Computer software refers to
data storage, and communication between various
the collection of data, programs, and instructions that
parts of the system. Internal hardware typically
tell a computer how to perform specific tasks. Unlike
includes parts that are either directly connected to
hardware, which refers to the physical components of a
the motherboard or housed within the system unit.
computer system, software enables the hardware to
 EXTERNAL HARDWARE: External hardware refers to carry out operations by providing the necessary
components that are physically separate from the guidelines and procedures. Software can range from
computer's core system, usually connected via ports simple applications to complex systems that control and
such as USB, HDMI, or wireless connections. These manage hardware resources, facilitate communication,
components are typically used to extend or and support various business, scientific, educational,
enhance the computer’s capabilities, including and entertainment activities.
input/output functions, data storage, and display.
 Motherboard | The motherboard connects SYSTEM SOFTWARE
and allows communication between all
The system software is a collection of programs
internal components of the computer.
designed to operate, control, and extend the processing
 Webcam | A digital camera that captures
capabilities of the computer itself. System software is
video or images, often used for video
generally prepared by the computer manufacturers.
conferencing or streaming.
These software products comprise of programs written
 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) | A
in low-level languages, which interact with the
component that renders images,
hardware at a very basic level. System software serves
animations, and videos, especially for
as the interface between the hardware and the end
gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering.
users.
 Monitor | A display screen that shows the
output from the computer, including Some examples of system software are Operating
visuals, interfaces, and media. System, Compilers, Interpreter, Assemblers, etc.
REVIEWER IN NURSING INFORMATICS
APPLICATION SOFTWARE MAIN COMPUTER COMPONENTS

Application software products are designed to satisfy a


CPU: It is the BRAIN of the computer. All major
particular need of a particular environment. All calculation and comparisons are made inside the
software applications prepared in the computer lab can CPU and it is also responsible for activation and
come under the category of Application software.
controlling the operation of other unit. This unit
Application software may consist of a single program, consists of two major components, that are
such as Microsoft's notepad for writing and editing a arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and control unit (CU).
simple text. It may also consist of a collection of o Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) Arithmetic logic
programs, often called a software package, which work unit performs all arithmetic operations such
together to accomplish a task, such as a spreadsheet as addition, subtraction, multiplication and
package. division. It also uses logic operation for
comparison like comparison or decision
Some examples of Application software are Photoshop, making (>, <, <=, >=, = etc.).
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and etc.), Inventory o Control Unit (CU) The control unit of a CPU
Software, Payroll System etc. controls the entire operation of the
 Windows 10 | An operating system developed by computer. It also controls all devices such as
Microsoft that manages hardware and software memory, input/output devices connected
resources on a computer. to the CPU. CU fetches instructions from
 Adobe Photoshop | A graphics editing program memory, decodes the instruction, interprets
used for digital image creation, manipulation, and the instruction to know what the task are to
design. be performed .
 Linux Kernel | The core component of the Linux 10 CPU SPECIFICATIONS TO CHECK
operating system that manages system resources
and communication between hardware and  CORE COUNT
software.  BASE CLOCK and TURBO CLOCK SPEED
 Microsoft Word | A word processing application  HYPERTHREADING SUPPORT
used to create, edit, and format text documents.  OVERCLOCKING SUPPORT
 macOS | The operating system developed by Apple,  CACHE SIZE (L1, L2 and L3)
which manages the hardware and software of Mac  MEMORY SUPPORT AND CHANNELS
computers.  TDP RATING (Watts)
 Google Chrome | A web browser used to access and  GENERATION and ARCHITECTURE
interact with websites and online applications.  SOCKET TYPE (AM4*, LGA*)
 BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) | A firmware that  INTEGRATED GRAPHICS SUPPORT
initializes hardware components and provides INTEL
runtime services for the operating system during
startup.  Intel Core i9-13900K
 Spotify | A music streaming service application that  Intel Core i7-12700K
allows users to listen to music, podcasts, and other  Intel Core i5-11600K
audio content.  Intel Core i5-10600K
 Device Drivers | Software that enables the  Intel Core i3-12100F
operating system to communicate with hardware  Intel Core i9-12900KS
devices such as printers, graphics cards, and  Intel Core i7-9700K
keyboards.  Intel Core i5-9600K
 Skype | A communication software application used  Intel Core i3-9100F
for voice and video calls, as well as instant  Intel Core i7-8750H
messaging over the internet.
REVIEWER IN NURSING INFORMATICS
AMD Ryzen Function of RAM: Because of its volatility, RAM can't
store permanent data. RAM can be compared to a
 AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
person's short-term memory, and a hard disk drive to a
 AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
person's long-term memory. Short-term memory is
 AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
focused on immediate work, but it can only keep a
 AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
limited number of facts in view at any one time. When a
 AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
person's short-term memory fills up, it can be refreshed
 AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
with facts stored in the brain's long-term memory.
 AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
 AMD Ryzen 7 3800X 4 RAM SPECIFICATIONS TO CHECK
 AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
 RAM GENERATION \ CLASSIFICATION (DDR)
 AMD Ryzen 5 2400G
 RAM FREQUENCY ( MHZ )
MOTHERBOARD: A motherboard provides connectivity  RAM MEMORY SIZE (8, 16, 32**)
between the hardware components of a computer, like  RAM COMPATIBILITY
the processor (CPU), memory (RAM), hard drive, and
STORAGE:
video card. There are multiple types of motherboards,
designed to fit different types and sizes of computers. HDD
Each type of motherboard is designed to work with HDD means Hard Disk Drive, it’s the oldest of these
specific types of processors and memory, so they don't three storage drive types. The name refers to the actual
work with every processor and type of memory. magnetic disk that stores the data. The data is then
However, hard drives are mostly universal and work written and read from the disk with a magnetic head.
with most motherboards, regardless of the type or Hard disk drives are still very commonly used in
brand. computers. In desktops the size of an HDD drive is
usually 3.5” and in laptops 2.5” and the capacity varies
8 MOTHERBOARD SPECIFICATIONS TO CHECK
depending on the computers age.
 PLATFORM \ SOCKETS and CHIPSETS
SSD
 BOARD FORM FACTOR (ITX , Mini ITX **)
 EXPANSION OPTION (Upgrade) SSD means Solid-State Drive, it is a newer storage type.
 GPU SUPPORT There are no moving parts inside the drive, unlike in
 RAM SUPPORT HDDs. This makes solid-state drives more durable than
 STORAGE SUPPORT hard disk drives. In SSDs the data is stored in flash
 CONNECTIVITY ( Ports and Adapters) memory chips. Flash memory is used in USB drives as
 MANUFACTURER well, but the type is different, SSDs flash memory is
more reliable and faster. Solid-state drives for
RAM: RAM (Random Access Memory) is the hardware
computers fit the 2.5” slots, many laptops use the same
in a computing device where the operating system (OS),
sized SSDs. However, some laptops might have even
application programs and data in current use are kept
M.2 NVMe drives to save space and make it faster.
so they can be quickly reached by the device's
processor. RAM is the main memory in a computer. It is 3 STORAGE SPECIFICATIONS TO CHECK
much faster to read from and write to than other kinds
of storage, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state  MANUFACTURER
drive (SSD) or optical drive.  DISK SIZE
 COMPATIBILITY \ CONNECTOR
Random Access Memory is volatile. That means data is
retained in RAM as long as the computer is on, but it is M.2 NVMe drives: M.2 drives are also solid-state drives
lost when the computer is turned off. When the (SSD), this means that they are faster than hard disk
computer is rebooted, the OS and other files are drives (HDD). The difference to common SSDs is that
reloaded into RAM, usually from an HDD or SSD. M.2 drives are a lot faster than normal SSDs attached
with SATA cables.
REVIEWER IN NURSING INFORMATICS
POWER SUPPLY PSU: A Computer Power Supply Unit slot on the motherboard. They have their own
(PSU) is a hardware component in a computer that dedicated VRAM and provide much higher
converts electrical power from a standard AC performance than integrated GPUs, making them
(alternating current) power source, such as a wall ideal for gaming, video editing, 3D rendering, and
outlet, into DC (direct current) power required by the other GPU-intensive tasks.
internal components of the computer. The PSU
Examples: NVIDIA GeForce RTX series, AMD Radeon RX
distributes power to various parts of the system, such as
series.
the motherboard, CPU, graphics card (GPU), hard
drives, and other peripheral devices. MONITOR: RESOLUTION
4 SPECIFICATION OF PSU TO CHECK Monitor resolution refers to the number of pixels that a
monitor can display, typically described as the width
 Wattage (Power Output): Indicates the total
and height of the screen in terms of pixel count. It
amount of power the PSU can supply, typically
determines how sharp and detailed the image on the
expressed in watts (W). For example, a 500W
screen will be. Higher resolution means more pixels,
PSU can supply up to 500 watts of power to the
which leads to finer details, clearer text, and sharper
system.
images.
 Efficiency Rating: A measure of how efficiently
the PSU converts AC power into DC power. Resolution is usually expressed in the format of width ×
More efficient PSUs waste less energy and height (e.g., 1920 × 1080), where the first number is the
generate less heat. Efficiency is often rated with number of pixels in width, and the second number is the
labels like: number of pixels in height.
 Form Factor: The size and shape of the PSU,
which must be compatible with the computer RESOLUTION TYPES
case. Common form factors include:  HD (1280 × 720): Known as 720p, this is considered
 Modular vs. Non-Modular: Flexibility of PSU the standard high definition (HD) resolution. It’s
installation used in smaller displays like basic TVs or laptops and
GPU ( GRAPHICAL PROCESSING UNIT ) \ VIDEO CARD: for general computing tasks.
 Full HD (1920 × 1080): Also known as 1080p, this is
A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), also known as a the most common resolution for monitors,
graphics card or video card, is a specialized hardware providing clear, high-quality images for everyday
component in a computer designed to accelerate the tasks, gaming, and media consumption.
rendering of images, video, and animations to be  Quad HD (2560 × 1440): known as 1440p or 2K,
displayed on a monitor. It is responsible for performing Quad HD offers a sharper image than Full HD, often
the complex mathematical computations required to used for high-end monitors, gaming displays, and
generate graphics, which allows the CPU (Central professional design work.
Processing Unit) to focus on other tasks.  Ultra HD (3840 × 2160): Also known as 4K, this
resolution provides incredibly sharp and detailed
Types of GPUs:
images. It's commonly found in premium monitors,
 Integrated GPU (iGPU): Integrated graphics are large screens, and used in professional video
built into the CPU or motherboard and share system editing, design, and gaming.
memory (RAM) for graphical tasks. Integrated GPUs  5K (5120 × 2880): This is used in high-end monitors,
are typically found in lower-end or power-efficient especially for professional graphic design, video
systems, like laptops or budget desktops. editing, and other work requiring ultra-high
resolution.
Examples: Intel UHD Graphics, AMD Radeon Vega
 8K (7680 × 4320): The highest resolution currently
(integrated with Ryzen CPUs).
available for consumer monitors. 8K resolution
 Discrete GPU (dGPU): Discrete graphics cards are offers extreme detail, though content in 8K is still
separate components that are installed in a PCIe relatively limited.
REVIEWER IN NURSING INFORMATICS
NURSING INFORMATICS o DATA: Raw, unprocessed facts, figures, or
observations without context.
 NURSES ARE THE MAJOR STAKEHOLDERS IN THE
o INFORMATION: Data that has been processed,
HEALTHCARE
organized, or structured to provide context or
 NURSES CAN TRANSLATE DATA INTO
meaning.
INFORMATION, INFORMATION TO KNOWLEDGE
o KNOWLEDGE: Information that has been analyzed,
AND KNOWLEDGE INTO WISDOM
understood, and integrated to identify patterns,
 NURSING INFORMATICS IS COMBINING NURSING,
relationships, or insights.
INFORMATION AND COMPUTER SCIENCES FOR
o WISDOM: The ability to apply knowledge
MANAGING AND PROCESSING DATA INTO
effectively, often in a broader, ethical, or strategic
KNOWLEDGE IN NURSING PRACTICE (Murphy, 2010)
context, to make informed decisions or solve
 NURSING INFORMATICS SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
complex problems.
INTEGRATES NURSING, ITS INFORMATION,
KNOWLEDGE, AND THEIR MANAGEMENT, WITH
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGIES TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF
PEOPLE, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES
WORLDWIDE ( AMIA )
 NURSING INFORMATICS IS A SPECIALTY THAT
INTEGRATES NURSING SCIENCE, COMPUTER
SCIENCE, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE TO MANAGE
AND COMMUNICATE DATA, INFORMATION, CHANGE THEORY
KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM AND NURSING PRACTICE Lewin's Change Theory is a foundational model in
(HIMSS) organizational and behavioral change management,
PURPOSE OF NURSING INFORMATICS developed by psychologist Kurt Lewin. It describes the
process of change in three distinct stages: Unfreeze,
Informatics harnesses the power and possibility of Change (or Transition), and Refreeze. The theory
digital technology to transform data and information provides a structured approach to implementing and
into knowledge that people use every day. This strong sustaining change within organizations, groups, or
focus on the human use of computing helps people to individuals.
interact with technology in the best and most efficient
way possible. The Three Stages of Lewin's Change Theory

Basically, Informatics is a set of interrelated activities UNFREEZE: This stage involves preparing the
involving PEOPLE (NURSES), TECHNOLOGY organization, group, or individual for change by
(INFORMATION TECH) and PROCESSES (HEALTHCARE challenging the status quo and creating awareness of
PROCESS) the need for change.

DIKW THEORY Goal: Break down existing structures, habits, and


mindsets to make way for transformation.
The DIKW theory in informatics is a conceptual
framework that represents the hierarchical relationship CHANGE: The actual process of implementing the
between Data, Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom. It change, where individuals or organizations move from
is often used to explain how raw data is transformed the old way of doing things to the new.
into meaningful insights and actionable wisdom. Goal: Facilitate adaptation to the new state and reduce
The DIKW theory highlights the progression from raw uncertainty.
data to actionable wisdom, emphasizing the increasing
value and understanding gained at each level.
REVIEWER IN NURSING INFORMATICS
FREEZE: This stage focuses on solidifying and from biological experiments. Another example of the
institutionalizing the changes to ensure they are work done in this field is the human genome project,
sustainable over time. the mapping of all the genes that make up human DNA.

Goal: Stabilize the new state and prevent regression to PROBLEMS IN NURSING INFORMATICS AND
old habits. HEALTHCARE

TYPES OF INFORMATICS CHANGES IN THE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS:

NURSING INFORMATICS: Similar to the Pharmacy Change in Technological Advancement refers to the
Informaticist, the Nursing Informatics role is a continuous process of innovation, improvement, and
specialized role. The definition of nursing informatics adoption of new technologies that transform how
provided by the American Nurses Association (ANA) and individuals, organizations, and societies operate. This
recommended by HIMSS “is the specialty that integrates type of change is characterized by the introduction of
nursing science with multiple information and analytical new tools, systems, or methods that enhance efficiency,
sciences to identify, define, manage and communicate productivity, and the quality of life.
data, information, knowledge and wisdom in nursing
o Resistance to Adoption
practice.”
o Learning Curve and Training
HEALTH INFORMATICS: This field can be described as o High Costs
the use of health and clinical data to drive and support o Increased Workload
patient health outcomes. There are several case studies o Human-Machine Interaction
that fall under the realm of Health Informatics, for o Workflow Disruption
instance, transferring patient data securely within the o Ethical and Privacy Concerns
hospital to various Electronic Health Records. Another o Human-Machine Interaction
example is analyzing patient data from patients who are
SECURITY AND DATA PRIVACY:
readmitted back into the hospital and designing a
clinical dashboard to track this. Health Informatics can Security refers to the measures, practices, and
be described as the merging of skills from Information technologies implemented to protect systems,
Technology and Healthcare. Health Informatics has networks, and data from unauthorized access, damage,
subspecialties such as Pharmacy Informatics and theft, or disruption. It encompasses safeguarding digital
Nursing Informatics. and physical assets against a wide range of threats,
including cyberattacks, data breaches, and human
PHARMACY INFORMATICS: As stated above, Pharmacy
errors.
Informatics can be considered a subspecialty within
Health Informatics. Individuals in this field generally o Unauthorized Access to Patient Records
have a registered pharmacy designation or are a o Use of Mobile Devices in Nursing
registered pharmacy technician. It is important to have o Improper Disposal of Physical or Digital Records
experience working as a pharmacist or pharmacy o Sharing of Login Credentials
technician to be able to apply technological solutions to o Over-reliance on Technology
improve medication use process and clinical workflow
amongst pharmacists within your organization. NTEGRATION OF NURSING EBP:
Therefore, you will often find many of these roles Integration of Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) to
looking for this prior experience. Technology refers to the process of leveraging advanced
BIO INFORMATICS: Bioinformatics can be described as technological tools and systems to apply, enhance, and
the use of biological data to model and solve problems support evidence-based practices in nursing. It involves
in fields such as genomics, proteomics and using technology to access, implement, and evaluate
pharmacology. The field of bioinformatics is responsible the best available evidence in clinical decision-making,
for the fast development of mRNA vaccines and the ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.
work involved with processing large amounts of data
REVIEWER IN NURSING INFORMATICS
It creates a synergy between clinical expertise, scientific Clinical Systems Administrator ( CSA ): plays a vital role
evidence, and innovative tools. By adopting this in nursing informatics by managing, maintaining, and
approach, nurses can deliver high-quality, efficient, and optimizing clinical information systems (CIS) to ensure
patient-centered care in an ever-evolving healthcare their reliability, functionality, and alignment with
landscape. healthcare needs. They act as a bridge between
technology, nursing staff, and clinical workflows,
o Training and Education
ensuring systems support high-quality patient care and
o Interoperability
efficient operations.
o Data Overload
o Technological Updates User Support and Troubleshooting:
o Data Accuracy and Quality
o Provide technical support to nurses and other
PURPOSE OF NURSING INFORMATICS healthcare staff by resolving system-related
issues and minimizing downtime.
o INFORM: INFORM CLINICAL PRACTICE BY HER
o Example: Assisting a nurse who encounters an
o INTERCONNECT: CONNECT WITH CLINICIANS
error while entering patient data into the EHR.
FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE
o PERSONALIZE: PERSONALIZE CUSTOMER CARE Performance Monitoring and Reporting:
SERVICES
o Monitor system performance and generate
o IMPROVE: PUBLIC HEALTH BY MEANS OF DATA
reports on system usage, issues, and outcomes.
COLLECTION AND RESEARCH
o Example: Providing analytics on nurse
ROLES OF NURSING INFORMATICIST compliance with clinical documentation
standards.
linical Information Systems (CIS): play a critical role in
nursing informatics, serving as the backbone for Clinical Systems Trainer \ Clinical Instructor: The
integrating technology into nursing practice to enhance Clinical System Trainer in nursing informatics is
patient care, improve workflow efficiency, and support responsible for educating and empowering healthcare
evidence-based decision-making. staff, particularly nurses, to effectively use clinical
information systems (CIS) in their daily workflows. This
Facilitating Access to Patient Data:
role bridges the gap between technology and clinical
o CIS provide nurses with real-time access to practice by ensuring users have the knowledge, skills,
patient health records, including medical and confidence to utilize systems like Electronic Health
history, lab results, and current treatment Records (EHRs), decision-support tools, and telehealth
plans. platforms.
o Example: Nurses can quickly review a patient’s
Training Program Development:
allergy information in the Electronic Health
Record (EHR) before administering medications. o Design and develop tailored training programs
to meet the specific needs of nursing staff and
Ensuring Patient Safety:
other clinical users.
o CIS reduce errors through tools like medication o Example: Creating a step-by-step curriculum for
administration systems, real-time monitoring, new hires to learn the hospital's EHR system.
and automated alerts for abnormal lab results
User Support and Onboarding:
or potential drug interactions.
o Example: An alert in the CIS prevents a nurse o Assist new employees or those unfamiliar with
from administering a drug that could interact the technology during the onboarding process
with a patient’s current medications. to ensure smooth adoption.
o Example: Providing personalized support to a
nurse transitioning from paper-based
documentation to an EHR system.
REVIEWER IN NURSING INFORMATICS
Clinical Data Analyst ( CDA ): The Clinical Data Analyst Testing and Quality Assurance:
in nursing informatics focuses on managing, analyzing,
o Conduct system testing and validation to ensure
and interpreting healthcare data to support evidence-
proper functionality and usability before
based decision-making, improve patient outcomes, and
deployment.
optimize nursing and clinical workflows. This role
o Example: Testing new EHR updates in a
involves turning raw clinical data into actionable
simulated environment to confirm they work
insights, which are crucial for quality improvement,
seamlessly with existing workflows.
operational efficiency, and compliance in healthcare
settings.

Data Collection and Management:

o Oversee the collection and storage of clinical


and nursing data from various sources such as
Electronic Health Records (EHRs), patient
monitoring systems, and clinical registries.
o Example: Ensuring accurate data entry for
nursing-sensitive quality indicators like patient
falls or pressure ulcers.

Report Generation:
o Create detailed reports, dashboards, and
visualizations to communicate findings to
nursing leadership and other stakeholders.
o Example: Developing a dashboard showing real-
time nurse staffing levels versus patient acuity.

Clinical Systems Analyst (CSA): The Clinical Systems


Analyst in nursing informatics is responsible for
designing, implementing, maintaining, and optimizing
clinical information systems (CIS) to support nursing
workflows, enhance patient care, and streamline
healthcare operations. This role bridges clinical
expertise with technical knowledge, ensuring that
healthcare technology solutions meet the needs of end
users and align with organizational goals.
Workflow Analysis and Customization:

o Analyze nursing workflows and recommend


technology solutions to improve efficiency and
accuracy.
o Example: Customizing EHR templates to
streamline documentation for common nursing
tasks like medication administration or patient
assessments.

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