Running head: Technology and Decision-Making Paper Technology and Decision-Making Paper January 23, 2012 Computer technology in the 21st century is constantly evolving and improving as new ways of delivering, storing, and maintaining information is created. Thanks to this revolutionary technology, health care informatics has transformed the health care delivery system into a new era. Systems are integrated at the touch of a button and current medical research is available anywhere there is an Internet connection.Healthcare informatics is a blend of clinical science, computer technology, and information management; it involves the collection, storage, retrieval, and use of information for the purpose of providing care, solving problems, and making decisions. Members of the health care team rely on computer informatics and specifically designed systems for every aspect of patient care. It has grown into an integral part of the health care delivery system providing the main framework and support for the medical profession.
Computer informatics technology is based on theories and designed with specific systems.The theories of informatics relate to the model used for each system’s purpose, function, and structure whereas the system can be thought of as the components that react to each other inside the structure (Engelbardt & Nelson, 2002). There are several information theories developed throughout the years to give substance to and provide a model in dealing with informatics. Shannon and Weaver’s Information-Communication Model is a theory based on the effectiveness and efficiency of communication and the transferring of information.
This model starts with the sender of the information, which becomes encoded and travels through a channel. The information is decoded and ends with the receiver obtaining the information (Englebardt & Nelson, 2002). Blum’s model deals with data in regard to three specific applications: data, information, and knowledge. This model joins the data and information gleaned from the data, thus creating the result that is knowledge and wisdom (Englebardt & Nelson, 2002). Thanks to Internet capabilities, the general population has access to vast quantities of data and health care information.Research has shown that health consumers are accepting and using this new technology, therefore it is imperative that health care professionals have the same informatics competencies to continue to provide the highest level of health care in this new technological era (Park, Murray, Delaney, An, 2006).
Along with the different theories that surround informatics there are a multitude of diverse informatics systems in use today ranging from systems for a small clinic to a multi-faceted hospital.The designs of these systems are specific for the people using them and are built to meet the business goals, the provider needs, and the strategic plan of the organization itself. Systems can be either open or closed, depending on if the system reacts with its environment outside the boundary. Health care related computer systems are open systems that react to the environment, providing the support and specialized systems we rely on for excellent patient care. The types of systems used in a facility are separated into categories: institution-wide, specialty, clinical documentation, need of administration, and operational support needs.
It is the configuration of these systems together, which meets the specific needs of each user in a facility (Englebardt & Nelson, 2002). Computer informatics theory is based on models. The health informatics technology model known as the DIK Model has three fundamental parts: data, information, and knowledge. These three elements organize data into a hierarchy. The data at the bottom of the model provides the foundation for creating information, which leads in turn to the potential production of knowledge.
The DIK model meets closely with the values, purposes, and missions of evidence-based medicine (EBM), particularly as they relate to examining, evaluating, reviewing, and using information and research. Health technology lies at the heart of medicine and health care itself, essentially bound up with the process of clinical decision-making (Georgiou, 2002). The role of an expert system in nursing care and medicine provides the novice nurse with knowledge of an expert from a nonhuman source.The expert system aids in giving uniformity to decisions in patient care; this can be in a clinical setting by suggesting care plan interventions based on the patient diagnosis and other health issues. For example, a patient with renal hypertension would trigger the suggestions of a sodium-restricted diet, fluid restriction, and a diuretic medication.
These suggestions would allow the healthcare person to add to the care plan early so that there could be fewer complications later. This would improve patient outcomes related to early interventions that a novice nurse may not know to ask for the appropriate order from the physician.Expert systems are also helpful in improving patient education. Expert systems compile expert knowledge so the patient has reputable websites when looking up information about his health.
This improves patient understanding regarding treatment options and allows the patient to increase responsibility for his own health. Expert systems used for education in the health care setting allow specific information regarding a patient’s treatment or medication to decrease the likelihood of misunderstandings. The information is read at a later time when the patient has motivation to learn.Expert systems in nursing care and medicine will continue to grow and become routine in settings as it allows expert knowledge to the novice without the time constraints of a person.
If used on a large scale it will allow uniformity of care and improve patient outcomes (Englebardt & Nelson, 2002). Decision support systems help the health care professional improve the accuracy of the decision-making process. Patient care outcomes improve when decision aids and support systems integrate data and medical knowledge.Health care professionals choose whether or not to use a system to aid in the decision making. Decision aids and decision support systems support the healthcare worker’s judgment rather than replace it.
According to Bordoloi and Islam (2011), creating electronic repositories to facilitate the management of knowledge dealing with health care in the form of guidelines, clinical protocols, and articles is paramount to adopting knowledge management in health care delivery. This is the basis for decision support systems in clinical settings.When faced with diagnostic or therapeutic decisions backed by the decision support system, the clinician can analyze complex problems and determine the best treatment for the patient. The health care professional can view the best treatment or diagnosis and decide upon the best option while collaborating with the patient or patient caregiver. Decision support systems consist of a large database allowing the health care professional to access information and data to identify potential decisions in each specific case.
Decision support systems are regarded as recommendation systems, offering suggestions and solutions.Decision aides are knowledge-driven and may be a subcategory of decision support systems. Patients wanting more involvement in their health decisions need guidance from the informed health care professional who uses the decision aids for effective interventions. Higher quality decisions are made by balancing a patient’s wants and needs with that of the informed healthcare provider.
Using the decision support system’s evidence-based data, the clinician takes the research evidence along with their knowledge and makes an informed decision.Decision support systems and decision aids not only improve patient quality of care it also improves outcomes. Decision aids and decision support systems take away the clinician saying, that is the way it has always been, and gives a choice more conducive to that individual patient or family. Regardless of the system used the system is only as good as the data and information in it and the use of the clinician. Decision aid tools help the clinician by providing information about the options and outcome. They are a complement and not a replacement of the clinician’s knowledge.
Health care technologies and information management are two vital closely related topics in professional nursing. With the increasing number of people in need of quality care, managing patient care required a more organized system. The application of information technology paved the way to meet these demands. Nurses and other providers have access to electronic patient records from any area in the facility. This is particularly important for error-free orders, capture, and display of all current food and drug allergies, and documentation of medications to each electronic patient record.
Acute care and outpatient services are linked also fostering a more organized and multidisciplinary approach to patient care (Blais, Hayes, Kozier, & Erb, 2006). Nurse-administrators use information technologies to guide their management when they are uncertain about something, to satisfy multiple stakeholders, or to build and retain passionate workforces. Two elements move nursing administration to employ computers for decision-making: the speed and accuracy needed and the financial constraints of managed care.Information systems enable nursing administrators to manage budgets, collect and evaluate staff and patient data, to track and forecast resource needs, and anticipate quality-management interventions. Data from clinical and financial information systems allow nurse-administrators to analyze data for trends in patient problems and reimbursement gaps. This availability of appropriate data reduce risk taking, making management of patients more safe (Blais et al.
, 2006). The implementation of technology in healthcare has made a significant difference on delivery of high-quality care.For instance, since the adoption of electronic health records according to Halamka (2006), clinicians can coordinate patient care, avoid hazardous medical errors, and ensure the most appropriate care to save lives. Usually, a paper record is not available because only the person who has it in hand can view it.
Paperwork is frequently not filed by the time a person returns for follow-up visit. With a few exceptions, electronic data is accessible when entered and available concurrently to all authorized users. With quick and easy access to health records, management and coordination of patient care has been efficient, cost-effective, and safer.Although there are security and privacy concerns with health information such as breach of confidentiality, access to health records can be audited, secured, encrypted, and subjected to numerous guidelines such as "only authorized physicians with a preexisting care relationship to the patient can see those records that a patient has consented to release. " Other technologies have changed significantly the way nurses practice, conduct research, manage, and administrate, and advance their education (Englebardt & Nelson, 2002).With the integration of clinical information systems for instance, orders, procedures, and appointments are automatically updated, and online Kardexes are used as a primary communications tool.
The automation shows allergies, interventions, pending specimen collections, current medications, diet, and patient weight. An automated rounds report allows providers to view patient information, vital signs, intake and output, lab results, radiology reports, and patient-care notes quickly, thus increasing accuracy and decreasing redundancy and thus improves the efficiency and effectiveness of individual providers (Blais et al. 2006). Another example is automated medication administration records integrated with orders-management, billing, and pharmacy systems, which have proven to be effective and provide error-free access to drugs.
When multiple medications are prescibed, automated medication systems are set up to scan for drug-drug interactions or other potential medication-related problems resulting in safer delivery of medications to the patient. Access to the Internet and research databases allows nurse researchers to organize and analyze data when conducting research and educating students.The application of technology with nursing science has changed the healthcare system in a positive manner. Technological innovation has produced endless possibilities and an enormous influence on all aspects of human life.
The creation of the computer and the World Wide Web to health care makes it achievable to communicate all over the world instantly. Significant health care decisions are made daily by using the advancement and development of communication systems. Assistance from expert systems and decision aids allows health care professionals to deliver more competent individualized care to patients.As the world of health care keeps developing and growing, information technology will develop and grow also improving the health care delivery system. References Blais, K. K.
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