THE APPLICATION OF DATA TO PROBLEM-SOLVING

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?

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Scenario: Reducing Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs) in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Focus: This scenario focuses on reducing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). HAIs are a significant concern in NICUs, as newborns are highly susceptible to infections.

Data Needed:

  • Patient Data: Demographics, gestational age, birth weight, type of procedures performed, length of stay, HAIs diagnoses.
  • Staff Data: Hand hygiene compliance rates, education and training records, staffing levels per shift.

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  • Environmental Data: Frequency of cleaning and disinfection protocols, air quality monitoring results.

Data Collection and Access:

  • Electronic Health Records (EHR): Patient data, including diagnoses and procedures, can be extracted from the EHR.
  • Hand Hygiene Monitoring Systems: Automated systems can track handwashing frequency and technique.
  • Staff Surveys: Surveys can assess staff knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to infection control.
  • Environmental Monitoring Reports: Cleaning logs and air quality reports can provide valuable data.

Potential Knowledge Derived:

  • Identification of High-Risk Factors: Analyzing patient data can reveal factors associated with increased HAI risk (e.g., prematurity, invasive procedures).
  • Effectiveness of Infection Control Practices: Correlating hand hygiene data with HAI rates can identify areas for improvement.
  • Impact of Staffing Levels: Analyzing staffing data with HAI rates might reveal if understaffing affects infection control practices.
  • Environmental Factors: Air quality data can help determine if environmental factors contribute to HAIs.

Nurse Leader’s Role:

  • Clinical Reasoning and Judgment: The nurse leader will use their expertise to interpret the data and identify potential causes of HAIs (e.g., inadequate cleaning protocols, inconsistent hand hygiene).
  • 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 targeted hand hygiene education programs, increasing staffing during high-risk periods, or revising cleaning protocols based on environmental data.

Benefits:

  • Improved patient outcomes through reduced HAIs.
  • Reduced healthcare costs associated with HAIs.
  • Enhanced staff knowledge and adherence to infection control practices.
  • Development of best practices for preventing HAIs in the NICU setting.

Conclusion:

In this scenario, access to and analysis of data from various sources can be a powerful tool for nurse leaders in the NICU. By leveraging informatics and applying clinical judgment, valuable knowledge can be derived to improve infection control practices, ultimately leading to safer care for vulnerable neonates.

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