Informatics and Regulations in Nursing Profession
Informatics in the nursing profession is the use of the modern system of science and technology in acquiring knowledge in regard to better caregiving to the patients. (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015). Information technology usually requires a person to have knowledge in computer science. Nurses, therefore, need to access knowledge in computer and information technology as the basis for enhancing information transfer. The computers need to be fitted with internet accessories for the ease of sending and receiving information. The nurses too will need to be computer literate for them to utilize the modern means of acquiring information (Choi & De Martinis, 2013). When this is met, nurses can get the information via mail, internet conferencing and other electronic means of communication. The ease of communication between nurses will enhance the information regarding taking care of the patients.
(EHR) is the use of computer in recording the health history of a patient. The electronic storage has both the good and the bad effect of the patient information. A benefit of the EHR information system is that the patient information can be generated in a specific period and help in managing the disease. Secondly, the transfer of information is easier as nurses can easily send them to another caregiver where a need for consultation arises (Choi & De Martinis, 2013). The process is possible and also improves the quality and privacy of storing patient information. On the other hand, a risk of outsiders engaging in the information system the access to the information by unauthorized people (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015). The effect can arise when the nurse forgets to move from the information page when leaving the office room.
The government, via the legislative authority, has enacted several laws that would help in the development of information and technology in the nursing profession. One of the acts is the HITECH that gives us as nurses to freely develop our profession via the study and use of information technology services. The the nurses a go ahead with the quality improvement by the use of IT in sharing information and storing important patient information (Choi & De Martinis, 2013). On the other hand, the Act offers difficulty penalties on nurses who use the information Technology in ways that might lower the esteem of the patients (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015). The law thus acts as a watchdog on the nurses use of information technology.
The electronic health record allows patients to have access to their health records. A provision by the law that enables the patient to have access to their records is both beneficial and risky to patients health management (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015). The benefit that the nurse accrues is that he or she can follow the disease history and make an inquiry on some issues that may not be clear in the records. They can also change the strategies when the to bring a positive impact on the patients recovery. On the other hand, the access of the information may result in the distortion of the data from the patient. When this happens, the nurse in charge will be confused and diagnose the patient wrongly (Choi & De Martinis, 2013). The issue may result in poor recovery or even death of the patient.
