Using Health Information Technology As A Source Of Evidence

Using Health Information Technology As A Source Of Evidence Based Prac

Using Health Information Technology as a Source of Evidence-Based Practice Before the digital revolution, health information technology supplied very limited support for evidence-based practice. If nurses wanted to be informed about cutting-edge research, their best bet was to either subscribe to leading journals or make periodic trips to the library. With the establishment of research databases, however, nurses became empowered to learn about and facilitate interdisciplinary and translational research. Databases are just one example of how health information technology supports evidence-based practice. To prepare: Read the following scenario from the text (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2012, p. 482): Twelve-hour shifts are problematic for patient and nurse safety, and yet hospitals continue to keep the 12-hour shift schedule. In 2004, the Institute of Medicine (Board on Health Care Services & Institute of Medicine, 2004) published a report that referred to studies as early as 1988 that discussed the negative effects of rotating shifts on intervention accuracy. Workers with 12-hour shifts realized more fatigue than workers on 8-hour shifts. In another study done in Turkey by Ilhan, Durukan, Aras, Turkcuoglu, and Aygun (2006), factors relating to increased risk for injury were age of 24 or less, less than 4 years of nursing experience, working in the surgical intensive care units, and working for more than 8 hours. Consider how the resources identified in the scenario above could influence an organization’s practice. Select an issue in your practice that is of concern to you (my area of practice area of concern is the nursing shortage, we often have to work short in my hospital which creates many issues). Using health information technology, locate at least three evidence-based practice resources that address your concern and that could possibly inform further action. Post a description of your practice concern. Outline how you used health information technology to locate evidence-based practices that address this concern. Cite and include insights from the resources. Analyze how health information technology supports evidence-based practice.

Paper For Above instruction

In my clinical practice setting, one of the most pressing issues is the persistent nursing shortage. This shortage results in frequent staff shortages, increased workload, patient safety risks, and compromised quality of care. The challenge is compounded by high turnover rates, burnout, and difficulties in recruiting new nurses, especially in rural or underserved areas. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive understanding of effective strategies to mitigate staffing shortages and enhance nursing workforce stability.

Using health information technology (HIT), I conducted an extensive search of evidence-based practices that could inform strategies to combat the nursing shortage. I utilized electronic health records (EHR) systems, research databases such as CINAHL and PubMed, and institutional repositories. My search began with keywords like "nursing shortage," "staffing adequacy," "evidence-based staffing models," and "technology interventions in nursing workforce." This approach allowed me to locate recent, relevant studies and guidelines that provided actionable insights into strategies for addressing workforce shortages.

One of the key resources I found was a systematic review by Jamal, McKenzie, and Clark (2009), which analyzed the impact of health information technology on health care quality, including staffing efficiency. They highlighted decision support systems that assist nurse managers in optimal staffing allocations, thus potentially reducing burnout and turnover. Another critical resource was the article by Umscheid, Williams, and Brennan (2010), which detailed how hospital-based comparative effectiveness centers utilize HIT to implement evidence-based interventions aimed at improving care quality and safety, indirectly supporting workforce sustainability by reducing preventable complications and readmissions. Lastly, the study by Hynes et al. (2010) elaborated on the VA's QUERI program, emphasizing how HIT-enabled data collection and analysis can inform policy decisions and workforce planning by providing real-time data on staffing levels and patient outcomes.

The integration of HIT in addressing the nursing shortage is instrumental because it helps transform large volumes of complex data into useful, actionable information. For instance, decision support systems can predict staffing needs based on patient acuity and census data, enabling proactive staffing adjustments and reducing the strain on nurses (Jamal et al., 2009). Furthermore, electronic dashboards and analytics allow managers to monitor nurse workload and burnout indicators continually, prompting timely intervention. These technological tools create a feedback loop where evidence informs practice, and practice data refines evidence, thus fostering a sustainable and adaptive approach to workforce management.

Furthermore, HIT facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing, which is crucial in addressing staffing issues. Platforms such as institutional intranets and research databases enable quick access to relevant evidence and best practices across different departments and geographic locations. This transparency and accessibility support the development of innovative staffing policies grounded in empirical data, ultimately enhancing patient safety and staff well-being (Hynes et al., 2010). Moreover, HIT-enabled simulation and predictive modeling can forecast future staffing needs, helping administrators plan proactively and avoid crises related to shortages.

In conclusion, health information technology serves as a critical enabler of evidence-based practices aimed at mitigating the nursing shortage. By providing real-time data, analytical tools, and evidence synthesis capabilities, HIT allows healthcare organizations to develop and implement more effective staffing strategies. As a result, it not only improves workforce stability but also enhances patient safety, care quality, and staff satisfaction. Integrating HIT into workforce planning is essential to address current shortages and prepare for future demands in healthcare.

References

• Hynes, D. M., Weddle, T., Smith, N., Whittier, E., Atkins, D., & Francis, J. (2010). Use of health information technology to advance evidence-based care: Lessons from the VA QUERI program. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 25(Suppl. 1), S44–S49. Retrieved from Walden Library.
• Jamal, A., McKenzie, K., & Clark, M. (2009). The impact of health information technology on the quality of medical and health care: A systematic review. Health Information Management Journal, 38(3), 26–37. Retrieved from Walden Library.
• Umscheid, C. A., Williams, K., & Brennan, P. (2010). Hospital-based comparative effectiveness centers: Translating research into practice to improve the quality, safety, and value of patient care. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 25(12), 1352–1355. Retrieved from Walden Library.
• McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2012). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
• Hynes, D. M., et al. (2010). Use of health information technology to advance evidence-based care. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 25(Suppl. 1), S44–S49.
• Ilhan, I., Durukan, P., Aras, S., Turkcuoglu, S., & Aygun, R. (2006). Risk factors for occupational injury in nurses. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 43(4), 423-432.
• Institute of Medicine. (2004). Keeping Patients Safe: Transforming the Work Environment of Nurses. The National Academies Press.
• McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2012). Nursing research: Data collection, processing, and analysis. In Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (pp. 482). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
• Jamal, A., McKenzie, K., & Clark, M. (2009). Impact of health IT on healthcare quality. Health Information Management Journal, 38(3), 26-37.
• Umscheid, C. A., Williams, K., & Brennan, P. (2010). Translating research into practice. JGIM, 25(12), 1352–1355.