As A Professional, You Are Expected To Apply Your Expertise ✓ Solved

As A Professional You Are Expected To Apply Your Expertise To Patien

As a professional, you are expected to apply your expertise to patient care. On occasion, you will also be expected to share that expertise. With evolving technology and continuous changes to regulations designed to keep up these changes, there is usually a need to share information and expertise to inform colleagues, leadership, patients, and other stakeholders. In this assignment, you will study a recent nursing informatics-related healthcare policy, and you will share the relevant details via a fact sheet designed to inform and educate.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of a recent healthcare policy related to nursing informatics. Nursing informatics, an emerging field blending nursing science with information management and analytical sciences, plays an essential role in modern healthcare delivery. As healthcare organizations adopt new technologies, understanding relevant policies helps nurses and other healthcare professionals effectively navigate changes, ensure compliance, and optimize patient outcomes.

Overview of the Healthcare Policy

The selected policy is the "Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program," part of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009. This policy incentivizes healthcare providers to adopt and utilize EHR systems that meet specific meaningful use criteria. The goals include improving healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency, as well as engaging patients and ensuring privacy and security of health information.

Key Components of the Policy

  • Meaningful Use Criteria: Healthcare providers must demonstrate that their EHR systems support functions such as e-prescribing, clinical decision support, and patient access to health information.
  • Incentives and Penalties: The policy provides financial incentives for early adopters and meaningful use compliance, with penalties for non-compliance over time.
  • Privacy and Security Measures: The policy emphasizes robust safeguards for protected health information (PHI) in line with HIPAA regulations.

Implications for Nursing Practice

Nurses are at the forefront of implementing EHR systems, transforming traditional documentation methods, and ensuring data accuracy. The policy mandates that nurses be trained in EHR functionalities, which enhances documentation accuracy, reduces errors, and promotes better patient care. Nurses also serve as educators for patients, guiding them on how to access their health records and participate actively in their care.

Challenges in Implementation

Despite its benefits, the implementation of EHR systems faces several challenges. These include technological barriers, such as interoperability issues and system usability problems, and resistance to change among staff. Additionally, concerns about data security and patient privacy persist, necessitating ongoing training and policy adjustments to address emerging threats.

Strategies to Overcome Challenges

Effective strategies include comprehensive staff training, fostering a culture open to technological change, and ensuring that EHR systems are user-friendly. Continuous auditing and feedback mechanisms help identify and resolve usability issues. Additionally, adherence to strict security protocols and regular updates bolster data security.

Conclusion

The EHR Incentive Program exemplifies how healthcare policies can foster technological advancement while safeguarding patient information. For nurses, understanding and implementing such policies are vital in providing high-quality care in a digital age. Continuous education and adaptation are essential to keep pace with evolving informatics standards and maximize the benefits of healthcare technology.

References

  • Blumenthal, D., & Tavenner, M. (2010). The “Meaningful Use” Regulation for Electronic Health Records. N Engl J Med, 363(6), 501-504.
  • Häyrinen, K., Saranto, K., & Nykänen, P. (2008). Definition, structure, content, use and impacts of electronic health records: A review of the research literature. Int J Med Inform, 77(5), 291-304.
  • Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. (2021). Guide to the EHR Incentive Program. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Adler-Milstein, J., & Jha, A. K. (2017). HITECH Act Drove Large Gains in Hospital Electronic Health Record Adoption. Health Aff, 36(11), 1914-1920.
  • Rudin, R., et al. (2014). Improving Electronic Health Record Usability. JAMA, 312(16), 1654-1655.
  • Sharma, S., et al. (2019). Challenges and opportunities in EHR implementation. Healthcare, 7(4), 125.
  • Vest, J. R., & Gamm, L. D. (2010). Health Information Exchange: Persistent Challenges and Opportunities. Int J Med Inform, 79(12), 957-961.
  • Alexiou, V., & Christensen, M. (2020). Enhancing Nursing Practice with Electronic Health Records. Nurs Manag, 27(5), 26-32.
  • American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice. ANA.
  • DesRoches, C. M., et al. (2017). Electronic Health Records and the Quality of Patient Care: Recommendations for the Future. JAMA, 317(22), 2295-2296.

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