Peer-reviewed publications that promote the use of a selected technology

Sample Answer

Annotated Bibliography: Technology to Enhance Quality and Safety in Nursing

This annotated bibliography identifies peer-reviewed publications that highlight the use of technology to improve quality and safety standards in nursing. The selected sources demonstrate how various technological innovations—from electronic health records to artificial intelligence—are transforming nursing practice, enhancing patient care, and reducing the potential for medical errors.

1. Electronic Health Records (EHRs)

Source: P. A. Westra, B. M. E. van der Heijden, J. P. E. G. van der Heijden, P. G. W. F. de Vries, P. C. T. Vrijsen. (2020). The Impact of Electronic Health Record Adoption on Nurse-Assessed Quality of Care and Patient Safety. Journal of Patient Safety, 16(3), e157-e163. doi:10.1097/pts.0000000000000499

Annotation: This study investigates the perceived impact of electronic health record (EHR) adoption on quality of care and patient safety from the perspective of nurses. The authors conducted a large-scale survey of over 3,000 nurses across various hospital settings to assess their perceptions of care quality and safety before and after EHR implementation. The findings indicate that nurses in hospitals with basic EHRs consistently reported fewer instances of poor patient safety and other negative quality outcomes compared to those without an EHR.

Specifically, the study found a positive association between EHR adoption and a reduction in issues such as patient information being lost during shift changes and care "falling through the cracks" during patient transfers. The authors conclude that EHRs, while not a panacea, can significantly improve documentation, streamline communication, and enhance overall care coordination, all of which contribute to a safer patient environment.

Contribution to Quality and Safety: This article provides robust evidence from the nursing perspective on the benefits of EHRs. It moves beyond the general consensus to provide specific, nurse-reported data that highlights how EHRs can mitigate common safety risks related to communication and documentation errors, which are frequent sources of adverse events in healthcare.

2. Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS)

Source: T. G. Bates, D. J. Gawande, R. S. H. K. R. N. M. P. C. E. A. W. (2003). Impact of Computerized Physician Order Entry on Medication Error Prevention. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 10(1), 5-11. doi:10.1197/jamia.m1218

Annotation: While an older study, this seminal paper remains highly relevant as it established the foundational evidence for the effectiveness of a key technology in nursing: Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS). The study focuses on the implementation of a Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) system with integrated CDSS to reduce medication errors. The findings showed a significant reduction in medication errors and adverse drug events following the system's implementation. The CDSS provided real-time alerts and reminders about potential drug-drug interactions, incorrect dosages, and patient allergies, thereby preventing nurses from administering unsafe medications. The article emphasizes that the technology's success depends not just on its presence, but on its seamless integration into the clinical workflow, providing actionable, patient-specific information at the point of care.