The initial thoughts on reading the AACN information systems/technology essentials for DNP graduate

The initial thoughts while reading this essential is focused on the role played by the information technology in the improvement of healthcare services received by the patients. Information technology is gaining momentum and every industry is adopting it. The healthcare sector has not been left behind and every healthcare organization is making sure that its workers are well equipped with the skills and knowledge about the utilization of information technology. Nurses who are directly handling patients are required to have skills in information technology, therefore, it is becoming part of the daily routines of the nurses. The adoption of information technology is aimed at ensuring that nurses can manage the adverse effects caused by prescription or medication errors (Feldman et al., 2018). It is used to replace the paper-based system of recording patient information.

Whether something surprising was found

Even though there was prior knowledge about the role of DNP in clinical decision-making and showing leadership by using the information and technologies, it was a surprise to learn that DNP also participates in legal and ethical issues. The personal perception before this essential was that the development of the legal and ethical guidelines are the roles left to the bodies or organizations that guide the practices of the national organizations that set the standards of practice for nurses (Kruse & Beane, 2018). Such guides or the standards of practices are aimed at preventing the potential harm that might occur as a result of the technology applications.

The changes that have been witnessed in the practice setting over the past five years as a result of the technology and evidence-based practice

Based on what has been observed concerning the practice within the facility of employment, it is clear that the management is in the front line to ensure that information technology is implemented and made to be the routine practice. The is ongoing training of recruits on the use of computers and other electronic equipment such as computers, health applications on cell phones, tablets, and laptops among others (Kruse & Beane, 2018). The hospital has employed three nurse informatics who have assisted in ensuring that the skills and knowledge on the use of information technology are adopted and implemented.

Most of the patients’ health recordings in the facility are now becoming paperless and this is aimed at increasing the safety of patient’s health information. Patient information is transferred from one department to the other through an electronic approach. The hospital is also attempting to manage the number of patients visits by implementing telemedicine to support the home-based care services (Kruse & Beane, 2018). Currently, the facility has a policy in its recruitment procedure that every application must be computer literate to ensure that the cost burden in training the recruits is reduced.

The changes expected to witness in the practice setting for the next five years.

Concerning the pace at which the management of this facility is supporting the implementation of the information technology, it is highly likely that every aspect of healthcare service will be handled electronically. The home-based care setting that has been started will increase to ensure that patients who are not able to reach healthcare facilities are treated (Kinnunen et al., 2019).

How the changes affected the nursing practice in the setting

Several effects have been brought by the changes or adoption of information technology nursing practice. It has enabled the registered nurses to improve efficiency and communicate more successfully. It has helped in improving the nursing care services in remote areas since nurses can manage patients left at home by following the instructions provided by the physicians.

References

Feldman, S. S., Buchalter, S., & Hayes, L. W. (2018). Health information technology in healthcare quality and patient safety: A literature review. (Links to an external site.) JMIR medical informatics, 6(2), e10264. https://doi.org/10.2196/10264

Kinnunen, U. M., Heponiemi, T., Rajalahti, E., Ahonen, O., Korhonen, T., & Hyppönen, H. (2019). Factors related to health informatics competencies for nurses—results of a national electronic health record Survey (Links to an external site.). CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 37(8), 420-429. https://doi.org/10.1097/CIN.0000000000000511 (Links to an external site.)

Kruse, C. S., & Beane, A. (2018). Health information technology continues to show a positive effect on medical outcomes: Systematic review (Links to an external site.). Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.8793