Nursing Informatics

Susan Asiimwe
Definition of terms

• Data: is information that has been translated in to a form that is more

convenient to move or process. (Hannah 2003) or information processed
and stored by the computer. Or raw facts that have not been processed

• Information: data processed into a structured form. Or Data that are

interpreted, organized, structured and given meaning are referred to as
information.
Definition cont’

• Knowledge is synthesized information derived from the interpretation

of data. It provides a logical basis for making decisions. Essential to
decision-making and to new discoveries

• Data base: is a collection of information that is organized so that so

that it can be easily accessed, managed and updated

• Wisdom is defined as the appropriate use of knowledge to manage

and solve human problems
Goal of Nursing Informatics
• The goal of nursing informatics is to improve the health of population,
families, and individual by optimizing information management and
communication. This includes the use of technology in the direct
provision of care, in establishing effective administrative systems, in
supporting lifelong learning and in supporting nursing research. ANA
2001

• The goal of informatics is to: – Inform healthcare providers, Expand

knowledge, Deliver efficient, well-managed care or services
Nursing informatics models
Graves and corcorans model (1989)

• Nursing informatics as a linear progression from data in to information and knowledge

• Management processing is integrated with in each element, depicting nursing as the

proper management of knowledge from data as it is converted in to information and
knowledge.

• Data, which are processed to information and then knowledge, may be obtained from
individuals, families, communities, and populations. Data, information, and knowledge
are of concern to nurses in all areas of practice. For example, data derived from direct
care of an individual may then be compiled across persons and aggregated for decision-
making by nurses, nurse administrators, or other health professionals.
Turleys model (1996)
NI is an interaction between the discipline specific science (nursing) and
areas of informatics.

• Core components of the informatics

• Cognitive science; understanding function of the mind

• Information science; Process of sending and receiving messages

• Computer science; development, configuration, and architecture of

computer hardware and software

• Nursing science; body of knowledge on which base practice

Theories Supporting Informatics
Change Theory

• Roger’s Diffusion of innovation Theory (unplanned), or Lewin’s

Change Theory (planned)

Roger’s Diffusion of innovation Theory (unplanned) Examines

patterns of acceptance that innovations follow as they spread across the
people who adopt it. Adopters are categorized in five categories

• Innovators: readily adopt innovation (2.5%)

• Early adopters (13.5%): opinion leaders who function as promoters of
innovation

• Early majority (34%): are averse to risks but will make safe
investments

• The late majority (34%) need to be sure that innovation is beneficial

• Laggards (16%): suspicious about innovation and change and are very
intractable. They see their resistance as rational and must be certain
that innovation will not fail before they are willing to adopt to it
Lewin’s Change Theory (planned)
Involves preparing users for change, theory is divided into three stages
• Unfreezing: human behavior is supported by a balance of driving and
restraining forces that create equilibrium. When driving forces towards
change occur, a counteracting restraining force often develop to allow the
maintenance of equilibrium, to unfreeze, reduce restraining forces and allow
dominance of driving forces
• Moving: planned change is implemented. Not comfortable period (anxiety,
Movement may occur in the wrong direction if system has many problems
or not supported by administration; What do you do? – Gain support –
Involve users – Test system before implementation – Provide adequate
training – Deal with any implementation problems immediately
• Refreezing: The planned change becomes norm, but
surrounded by the usual driving forces and restraining forces.
For this stage to occur, users need to feel confident with change
and feel in control of procedures involved in the new method
Information Theory

Based on Bloom’s taxonomy and defines three concepts:

• Data: discrete element not interpreted

• Information: data with some interpretation or structure

• Knowledge: synthesis of information

• Wisdom: when and how to use this knowledge

Therefore the move from data to knowledge is a progressive process

that follows given steps – Capturing, sorting, and organizing data to
give them meaning and produce information
Five rights of information

• Right information: accurate, free of error and meaningful

• Right person: one who will respond?

• Right time:

• Right place: prevent delayed action

• Right amount
General Systems Theory

• Focuses on the interaction among the various parts of the

system instead of individual parts, based on the premise that
the whole is greater than the sum of its parts; Change in one
part of the system will be reflected in other parts of the system.
Systems are either open or closed; feedback process in system
consists of input, throughput and output.
Application of nursing Informatics
• Practice: knowledge of nursing information system can be used with
nursing practice such as patient documentation, monitoring devices,
developing and implementing care plans and pathways, retrial of
preious records and imaging’s, use of telhealth, and access to
current practice standards

• Administration; information systems are used with communications,

staff scheduling systems, costs and budget analysis, and monitoring
of trends with quality and satisfaction data.
• Education; electronic learning, teleconferencing, and soft ware
availability for education presentations and programs

• Research; internet capabilities and electronic databases, provide rich

access to obtaining, compiling, and conduction of research. (baker,
2012)
References
Clark, J., & Lang, N. (1992). Nursing's next advance: An internal
classification for nursing practice. International Nursing Review,
39(4), 109-111, 128.
Hebert, M. (2000). A national education strategy to develop
nursing informatics competencies. Canadian Journal of Nursing
Leadership 13(2).
Staggers, N., & Bagley Thompson, C. (2002). The evolution of