Informatics for Nursing Services
Computers are becoming increasingly essential in the workplace. A vast majority uses internet or email at work. In addition, employees around the world also use computers for graphics and design, programming, calendar and scheduling. This is done by using word processing, spreadsheet and database applications or software. They are used mostly by managers or for people in customer, technical, sales or administrative support departments.
Fewer operators, laborers and fabricators use the computer in their workplace.Computers greatly help in retrieving, gathering, storing, processing information. Most importantly, they help in making big decisions. Clinical and Nursing Services have greatly benefited from the use of computers. As technological progress takes place it promises to revolutionize healthcare completely. It will provide quicker and direct solutions to patient care. For e.g. it will shorten the time period of documentation and access to data of patient. The implementation of light pens, touch screens, handwriting, voice recognition applications and bar codes, in hospitals will make using computers easier for nurses.
Computers can also help in planning nursing care which will include the patients health history, adminstered medicines, dosage therapy and precribed diet. Pateints will be provided the best care with the introduction of a computerized nurse care plan. The use of computers can help in interpretatation and the monitoring of various Physiological Variables.
The Cardic rate, B.P and T.P.R of the patient can be assessed from computer assistance. Computers can also calculate the correct drug dosage according to the patient’s age, weight and his body surface area. Another benfit is that computers can help in forecasting the number of nurses needed at a particlar time or date. Their nursing schedules can be made keeping in mind their patient load, numbers of operations performed, location, availability and acuteness. Lastly, computers store and record data about admissions, materials, personnel, inventories, billing, payroll, insurance and discharges as well.
In my opinion computers make things easier overall for the nursing profession. It greatly reduces human errors, manual paper work and documentation. In this way they spare time for more eveideence based, professional, knowledge-driven and personalized patient care. As a nurse I wiill be able to help save more lives by the knowledge and understanding of Nursing Informatics.
References:
- Ramachandra, Hooli, S (Feb 2003). Computers in Nursing. Retrieved May 31, 2007, from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4036/is_200302/ai_n9233244
- The Digital Workplace. (n.d). National telecommunications and Information Administration. Retrieved May 31, 2007, from http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/dn/html/Chapter6.htm
