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Support the statement, the computer is a tool for informatics , but not the focus.

Nursing informatics (NI) is a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice. Informatics supports consumers, patients, nurses, and other providers in their decision- making through the use of information structures, information processes, and information technology (ANA, 2008). The major way that informatics is implemented in nursing in through the use of the electronic medical record.

Although computers aid in informatics, they are not the sole focus. Through the use of computers and other forms of technology informatics seeks to improve the speed and accuracy of patient charting. It also allows for more up to date and complete patient information. One way this is done is through the use of the electronic medical record. This helps in making more effective decisions about patient care because it can be accessed from any computer at any time. Nursing informatics seeks ways to simplify and enhance documentation using computer and information technologies. Informatics consists of various disciplines and resources and computers are just one element in this growing continuum.

American Nursing Association (2008). Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice. Retrieved from American Nurses Association.

American Dental Education Association (2012). Nursing Informatics. Retrieved from Home | explorehealthcareers.org

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Marsha, the point that you made regarding that nurses should work together to document past medical history is very pertinent when it comes to patient care. As you know, I had a 94 year old patient this week, yet her past medical history was pretty much non existent when I viewed her EMR. Knowing her past history could have better help us understand her current history and since it was lacking the health care professionals had nothing to go from. So, if less time is spent documenting and more is focused on their medical history which could clue us in on their current history then we could deliver better care for these patients. This all goes back to communication resulting in optimal care for the patient.

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Nursing Informatics is not about nursing the computer. The computer is the tool for the nurse in the clinical setting, similar to the stethoscope being the tool at the bedside. ANA defines nursing informatics as combining nursing science, information management science, and computer science to manage and process nursing data, information, and knowledge to deliver quality care to the public. (ANA, 2008) Nursing informatics assist the combination to provide quality care and knowledge to support patients, nurses, and other providers in their decision-making in all roles and settings. The goal of nursing informatics is to have technology improve nursing care for patients and their families by providing up-to-date, accurate information for each step of the nursing process which is the power behind high quality, safe patient centered care.

American Nursing Association (2008). Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice. Retrieved from American Nurses Association.

Sewell, J., & Thede, L.Q. (2013) Informatics and nursing: Opportunities and challenges. (4th ed.) Philadelphia: Lippincott.

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Joye', I agree the way informatics has changed effects the way we provide care for the patients. It is more efficient, improves quality, and easier to provide care to the patients. EMR is a more uniformed way of charting events that took place during caring for the patient. Use of EMR is a way to make sure all of the events are documented with the correct information and makes it easier for the next nurse and/or doctor to understand what events occurred during the shift.

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Jauclyn,

This is an interesting point, that the older the patient, the more likely you will not see the total picture of the their health record.

kputman

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