In the modern era, there are few professions that do not to some extent rely on data. Stockbrokers rely on market data to advise clients on financial matters. Meteorologists rely on weather data to forecast weather conditions, while realtors rely on data to advise on the purchase and sale of property. In these and other cases, data not only helps solve problems, but adds to the practitioner’s and the discipline’s body of knowledge.
Of course, the nursing profession also relies heavily on data. The field of nursing informatics aims to make sure nurses have access to the appropriate date to solve healthcare problems, make decisions in the interest of patients, and add to knowledge.
In this Discussion, you will consider a scenario that would benefit from access to data and how such access could facilitate both problem-solving and knowledge formation.
To Prepare:
- Reflect on the concepts of informatics and knowledge work as presented in the Resources.
- Consider a hypothetical scenario based on your own healthcare practice or organization that would require or benefit from the access/collection and application of data. Your scenario may involve a patient, staff, or management problem or gap.
Post a description of the focus of your scenario. Describe the data that could be used and how the data might be collected and accessed. What knowledge might be derived from that data? How would a nurse leader use clinical reasoning and judgment in the formation of knowledge from this experience?
Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days, asking questions to help clarify the scenario and application of data, or offering additional/alternative ideas for the application of nursing informatics principles.
Scenario Description: In my healthcare practice, I have identified a scenario that would benefit from access to data and the application of nursing informatics principles. The focus of the scenario is on improving patient safety and reducing medication errors in the hospital setting. Medication errors can have serious consequences for patients and can lead to adverse drug events or even fatalities. Therefore, it is crucial to identify areas of improvement and implement strategies to prevent medication errors.
To address this scenario, various types of data could be used. Firstly, medication administration data can be collected and accessed from electronic health records (EHRs) or medication administration systems. This data would include information about the medications administered, the dosage, the time of administration, and the healthcare professionals involved. Secondly, incident reports related to medication errors can provide valuable data on the types of errors, their causes, and contributing factors. Thirdly, patient outcomes data, such as adverse drug events or readmission rates, can be analyzed to identify any patterns or trends related to medication errors.
By analyzing these data sources, knowledge can be derived to inform interventions and strategies aimed at reducing medication errors. For example, by analyzing medication administration data, nurse leaders can identify high-risk medications or vulnerable points in the medication administration process. Incident reports can help identify common errors and their root causes, such as communication breakdowns or system flaws. Patient outcomes data can provide insights into the impact of medication errors on patient safety and guide the development of targeted interventions.
Nurse leaders would use clinical reasoning and judgment in the formation of knowledge from this experience. They would critically analyze the collected data, identify patterns and trends, and draw conclusions based on their expertise. They would consider factors such as workflow processes, communication strategies, staff education, and technology solutions to develop evidence-based strategies for reducing medication errors. They would also collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies, continuously improving patient safety and care.
Overall, access to data and the application of nursing informatics principles in this scenario can contribute to enhancing patient safety, improving medication administration processes, and preventing medication errors in the healthcare setting.