Lesson

Some of the lessons learned in the course are as follow:

Informatics is the art and science of turning data into information and nursing informatics is the integration of nursing computer and information sciences to manage and communicate data knowledge, information, and wisdom into nursing practice.

Unit 1 – technology is becoming an increase integral part of the healthcare delivery and nurses have pivotal role in this technology delivery and nursing informatics has become one of those key roles. Healthcare informatics has the potential to impact patient care and nursing practice.

Unit 2 – The purpose of an information system is to provide information to the users.  People are the most important part of the system. Hardware consist of the devices that personnel use to input and access information in the system. Software provide directions to the hardware to tell it what to do. Connectivity refers to the electronic transfer of data from one place to another. I also learnt how to evaluate information sources.

Unit 3 – nurses and other healthcare professionals use computers to network with colleagues all over the world. Healthcare professionals must possess the skills to critically evaluate information and guide healthcare consumers to accurate info sources large organizations such as hospitals, the government, universities and other organization will have the most reliable sites. Creation of worksheet was also taught.

Unit 4 & 5 – spreadsheets are used to monitor and analyse care processes and events in the clinical area. Nurses should all demonstrate essential spreadsheets competencies. Powerpoint presentation tips were given and newsletter was created.

Unit 6 & 7– information technology is transforming healthcare. Relationship between patients and healthcare providers is changing because patients are learning more about their condition with the use of the internet. Healthcare information are shared and stored via electronic medical record (EMR), electronic health record (EHR) and personal health record (PHR). They also ensure safer care to patients in the event of an emergency, patients are able to manage their condition more effectively. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rule protects most individually identifiable health information in any form and this is called Protected Health Information (PHI).

Unit 8 – healthcare information system (HIS) was designed to manage healthcare data. The term meaningful use refers to the use of information from EHR to make improvement in the delivery of healthcare. Barcode verification technology was developed to verify medications to prevent medication error since its implantation.

Unit 9 – was able to create my blog for the first time.

Unit 10 – telehealth involves the distribution of health related services and information electronic information and telecommunication techniques. It allows for long distance patient/client contact and care advice, reminders, education, meetings presentations and conferences. Teleconference and videoconferences are the predominant methods to deliver telehealth services.

Unit 11 – I was guided how to use electronic media in a manner that maintains patient privacy and confidentiality. And if healthcare workers were found using social and electronic media inappropriately there would be repercussion for their professional life. Copyright law only convers certain information so as nurses we ought to be mindful of the things we post on social media. Anything that exist on a server is there forever and could be resurrected later even after deletion.

Unit 12 – An e-encounter (or e-visit) is a two-way exchange of healthcare information between a healthcare provider and a client/patient, which may be initiated by either the provider or the client.

In conclusion, 90% of the lessons were new to me so all in all the course was an informative one.