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.
Full Answer Section
Once the nursing staff has identified these factors, they can develop interventions to reduce the risk of readmission for these patients. For example, they might develop a discharge plan that includes more intensive follow-up care for patients at high risk of readmission.
How data could be used to form knowledge:
The nursing staff could also use the data to form knowledge about the factors that contribute to pneumonia readmissions. For example, they might find that patients who are discharged with certain medications are more likely to be readmitted for pneumonia. This finding could lead to research into why these medications are associated with an increased risk of readmission.
The nursing staff could also use the data to compare their readmission rates to other hospitals. This information could help them to identify areas where they can improve their care.
Overall, data can be used to both solve problems and form knowledge in the nursing profession. By collecting and analyzing data, nurses can identify factors that are associated with patient outcomes and develop interventions to improve care. Additionally, nurses can use data to form knowledge about the factors that contribute to disease and develop new strategies for prevention and treatment.
Here is another example of how data can be used in the nursing profession:
A hospital is implementing a new electronic health record (EHR) system. The nursing staff is concerned about how the new system will affect their workflow and patient care.
The nursing staff could collect data on the amount of time they spend performing various tasks using the old EHR system. They could then compare this data to the amount of time they spend performing the same tasks using the new EHR system. This information could help the nursing staff to identify areas where the new EHR system is less efficient and to develop strategies for improving efficiency.
The nursing staff could also collect data on patient satisfaction with the old and new EHR systems. This information could help the nursing staff to identify areas where the new EHR system is not meeting the needs of patients and to develop strategies for improving patient satisfaction.
By collecting and analyzing data, the nursing staff can identify areas where the new EHR system can be improved. This information can then be used to make changes to the system and to improve patient care.
Sample Answer
Scenario:
A hospital is experiencing a high rate of patient readmissions for pneumonia. The nursing staff is concerned about this trend and wants to identify factors that may be contributing to the problem.
Data that could be used to investigate the problem:
- Patient demographics (age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, etc.)
- Medical history (comorbidities, previous hospitalizations, etc.)
- Pneumonia severity
- Length of hospital stay
- Discharge medications
- Readmission rates for other conditions
How data could be used to solve the problem:
The nursing staff could use the data to identify factors that are associated with an increased risk of readmission. For example, they might find that older patients, patients with multiple comorbidities, and patients who were discharged with certain medications are at an increased risk of readmission.