Week 1 Evidence-Based Practice In Informatics You May Recall

Week 1 Evidence Based Practice In Informaticsyou May Recall The

Week 1: Evidence-Based Practice in Informatics You may recall the data, information, knowledge, and wisdom—or DIKW—framework from previous coursework. This week, you recall that prior learning and extend the “W” in the framework by reflecting on what contributes to wisdom in nursing practice. One way to think of wisdom in nursing is the application of data, information, and knowledge. That is, how you use the data, information, and knowledge can be considered a type of wisdom. Likewise, applying evidence-based practice is also a type of wisdom in your nursing practice.

This week, you begin the process of extending these concepts to the realm of nursing informatics, an area in which the use of evidence-based practice is particularly vital for improving patient experiences and outcomes. To understand this connection, it is essential to consider how theoretical models and the DIKW hierarchy relate to evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing. The DIKW model—Data, Information, Knowledge, Wisdom—serves as a framework for transforming raw data into meaningful insights that inform clinical decision-making and patient care (Nelson, 2018).

At the foundational level, data represents raw, unprocessed facts such as vital signs or lab results. For example, a nurse records a patient's blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg. This raw data, on its own, provides limited clinical value. When this data is processed and structured—say, by comparing it with baseline values—it becomes information. For instance, recognizing that the blood pressure reading is elevated compared to normal ranges indicates hypertension risk.

The next level, knowledge, involves synthesizing information into a broader understanding. A nurse, combining blood pressure readings over time with patient history and current symptoms, gains knowledge about the patient's cardiovascular health status. This knowledge allows the nurse to assess the need for intervention or lifestyle modifications based on evidence-based guidelines.

Wisdom, the pinnacle of the DIKW hierarchy, involves applying this knowledge judiciously to make informed and ethical clinical decisions. In nursing practice, wisdom might be exemplified by a nurse recognizing that a patient’s elevated blood pressure, coupled with other risk factors, warrants immediate intervention or referral, integrating clinical guidelines with patient preferences and situational judgment. Such application reflects the culmination of data, information, and knowledge into effective and compassionate care.

Theoretical models, such as McBride and Tietze's (2019) framework for nursing informatics, emphasize that data and information become powerful tools when guided by theoretical understanding and evidence-based principles. For example, evidence-based practice models rely on current best evidence, clinician expertise, and patient preferences. When a nurse utilizes electronic health records—collecting and analyzing data—to inform clinical decisions aligned with research evidence, they exemplify the transformation from data to wisdom.

Further, the evolution of the DIKW model highlights how advances in informatics have enabled more sophisticated use of data. Nelson (2018) discusses how informatics facilitates the systematic processing of raw data into meaningful information and ultimately into actionable knowledge and wisdom. For instance, clinical decision support systems synthesize patient data with clinical guidelines to assist nurses and practitioners in making evidence-based decisions efficiently, exemplifying the movement up the DIKW continuum.

In practical terms, evidence-based nursing interventions—such as fall prevention protocols, infection control measures, or medication safety initiatives—are grounded in data and knowledge but are elevated into wisdom through thoughtful application considering individual patient contexts. As Ronquillo, Currie, and Rodney (2016) posit, the development of nursing informatics involves not just accumulating data but transforming it into wisdom to improve care quality and safety.

In conclusion, theoretical models and the DIKW framework elucidate the process by which raw data is transformed into wisdom in nursing practice. This transformation is central to evidence-based practice, ensuring that healthcare decisions are informed by accurate data, contextual information, and comprehensive knowledge, all applied with clinical judgment and ethical considerations. As nursing informatics continues to evolve, embracing this hierarchy enhances clinical decision-making and ultimately leads to better patient outcomes.

References

• McBride, S., & Tietze, M. (2019). Nursing informatics for the advanced practice nurse: Patient safety, quality, outcomes, and interprofessionalism (2nd ed.). Springer Publishing.
• Nelson, R. (2018). Informatics: Evolution of the Nelson Data, Information, Knowledge and Wisdom Model: Part 1. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(3).
• Ronquillo, C. M., Currie, L. M., & Rodney, P. (2016). The evolution of data-information-knowledge-wisdom in nursing informatics. Advances in Nursing Science, 39(1), 22-33.
• Turley, C., & MacDonald, P. (2020). The role of informatics in evidence-based practice. Journal of Nursing Administration, 50(5), 255-260.
• Saba, V. K., & McCormick, K. A. (2019). Essentials of nursing informatics. Elsevier.
• Hersh, W. (2018). Health informatics: Practical guide for healthcare and information technology professionals. Springer Publishing.
• Potter, P. A., & Perry, A. G. (2017). Fundamentals of nursing (9th ed.). Elsevier.
• Groskopf, S. (2018). Using data analytics to improve patient safety. Healthcare Data Management Journal, 12(4), 45-50.
• Zulman, D. M., et al. (2018). Integrating data, information, and knowledge into practice. Journal of Medical Systems, 42(10), 183.
• Sharon, D., & Caruso, M. (2021). The impact of informatics on clinical decision-making. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 53(2), 135-143.