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The role of informatics in nursing
By Andrea Lee, BSN, RN
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A: The Healthcare Information and Man-
agement Systems Society defines nursing
informatics as “a specialty that integrates
nursing science, computer science, and in-
formation science to manage and communi-
cate data, information, knowledge, and
wisdom in nursing practice.” Informatics is
becoming increasingly present in our pro-
fession due to rapidly changing technologic
advances. Healthcare systems are assimilat-
ing technology into daily practice at a quick
pace. Security and patient privacy must be
upheld while achieving the goal of trans-
forming data into useful knowledge. Inte-
grating informatics with evidence-based
practice (EBP) can only help improve the
care we provide to our patients.
Applying technology to knowledge may
help identify potential problems earlier. For
example, with the use of electronic documen-
tation, identifying changes in patient status
can occur quickly because the information is
readily available. Trending of patient vital
signs is always accessible and the data are
interpreted, systematized, and arranged. The
nurse is able to use this knowledge to formal-
ize an appropriate plan of action.
Standardizing nursing language will facili-
tate acceptance of new methods of documenta-
tion in the electronic health record. A template
for nursing notes is one method of assisting
with our daily workload. The use of a template
can remind you of important information
required in the documentation of patient care.
Research studies, patient care data, and
national and local standards are used to devel-
op informatics programs at healthcare organi-
zations. Other measures include return on
investment analysis, patient preferences and/
or needs, and infection control data. How’s
the need for technology addressed? Let’s say
a high rate of medication errors is identified.
Analysis of how and why the errors are occur-
ring must be conducted. The research can
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include collecting data from other facilities
in the area to determine if the same problem Q: What does
exists elsewhere. Following data collection, informatics
the findings are presented to a review board. mean for
A plan to improve the problem is implement- nursing and how
ed, such as the use of bar code scanners. Data does it make
collection continues to determine if implemen- a difference
tation is successful. The most important piece in bedside
of implementation is presentation of the evi- practice?
dence to staff to identify how the change will
improve the day-to-day actions of nurses.
Nursing informatics is a growing field.
As nurses, we face ever changing and chal-
lenging practice situations; competency in
nursing informatics promises to strengthen
our clinical decision-making skills. Although
new technology may be a challenge for some,
informatics will enhance nursing practice.
We’ll have quicker access to patient informa-
tion, improve overall efficiency, and see a
reduction in potential errors.
As our profession continues to advance,
nursing informatics has the potential to
change our practice for the better, not
only for us as nurses, but also for our
patient population. ■
Learn more about it
Bakken S. An informatics infrastructure is essential
for evidence-based practice. J Am Med Inform Assoc.
2001;8(3):199-201.
Healthcare Information and Management Systems
Society. Nursing informatics 101. http://www.himss.org/
files/HIMSSorg/handouts/NI101.pdf.
Shultz CM. Preparing to work in an informatics-based
world. http://www.nsna.org/Portals/0/Skins/NSNA/
pdf/Imprint_AprMay09_Feat_Shultz.pdf.
Tietze M. Nursing informatics: what’s it all about?
https://web-ded.uta.edu/wconnect/ace/static/
onlinecne/CEAugust08.pdf.
The TIGER Initiative. Informatics competencies for every
practicing nurse: recommendations from the TIGER
Collaborative. http://www.thetigerinitiative.org/docs/
TigerReport_InformaticsCompetencies.pdf.
Andrea Lee is a Nurse Manager at the VA Boston Healthcare
System in West Roxbury, Mass.
The author has disclosed that she has no financial relationships
related to this article.
DOI-10.1097/01.NME.0000450294.60987.00
July/August 2014 Nursing made Incredibly Easy! 55