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.
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.
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?
Full Answer Section
Data Collection and Access:
- Electronic Health Records (EHR): Most of the patient data can be extracted from the EHR system.
- Hospital Data Warehouse: Aggregated hospital data on staffing, processes, and readmissions can be accessed from a data warehouse.
- Patient Surveys: Conducting surveys among HF patients after discharge can provide insights into factors contributing to readmissions.
Potential Knowledge Derived:
- Identification of High-Risk Patients: By analyzing patient data, we can identify factors associated with increased readmission risk (e.g., medication non-adherence, lack of social support).
- Effectiveness of Discharge Planning: Analyzing readmission data alongside discharge planning processes can reveal areas for improvement.
- Impact of Staffing Levels: Correlating readmission rates with staffing levels might identify staffing deficiencies requiring attention.
Nurse Leader's Role:
- Clinical Reasoning and Judgment: A nurse leader will use clinical expertise to interpret the data and identify potential causes of readmissions (e.g., inadequate medication education, lack of access to follow-up care).
- Knowledge Formation: Based on data analysis, the nurse leader can develop evidence-based interventions to address the identified problems. For example, this may include implementing medication adherence programs, strengthening discharge planning processes, or advocating for increased staffing during high-risk periods.
Benefits:
- Improved patient outcomes through reduced readmissions.
- Reduced healthcare costs associated with readmissions.
- Improved quality of care for HF patients.
- Enhanced knowledge about factors influencing readmissions and effective interventions.
Conclusion:
In this scenario, access to and analysis of data from various sources can be a powerful tool for nurse leaders. By using informatics and applying clinical judgment, valuable knowledge can be derived to address patient care challenges, improve hospital processes, and ultimately, contribute to a better healthcare system.