NURS503-Scholarly Application Paper
Instructions
Scholarly Application Paper
In this scholarly paper, synthesize and apply the content and knowledge gained in prior weeks and from your discussion posts. As a graduate nurse, you have advanced knowledge as a leader, educator, or nurse practitioner to understand the informatics and health information technology competencies necessary to promote best practices in HIT, population health outcomes, and support healthcare performance.
Identify an initiative where informatics, information, and communication technologies can improve healthcare quality or population health outcomes. This can be any technology, from EHR, clinical decision support (CDS), telehealth, POC technology, or emerging technology, where you can use your knowledge to implement an innovative quality improvement to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce health inequities.
Outline
1. Introduction (1-2 paragraphs)
· Briefly outline the Background of the initiative and the purpose of the paper
2. Healthcare Quality Outcomes, Safety, and Informatics (2-4pages)
· Informatics Concepts
· Discuss the role of informatics in the use of epidemiological data to improve patient safety, reduce health disparities, and improve population health outcomes.
· Identify the advanced-level competencies and knowledge of informatics concepts the graduate nurse needs to lead an interprofessional team in using EBP in the application of information and communication technology to support patient safety and population health outcomes.
· Role and Professional Responsibility
· Identify system improvement strategies to address health inequities and disparities. Including the graduate nurse’s professional and ethical responsibility in using informatics to identify gaps and inequities in vulnerable populations, including outcome monitoring and evaluation to improve healthcare quality and population health.
3. Clinical Workflow Analysis Process and Change Management (2-4pages)
· Health Information Technology (HIT)
· Identify the benefits of the identified innovative HIT in improving patient safety, healthcare quality, and value-based care.
· Outline how the graduate nurse will monitor unintended consequences and possible integration challenges with the EHR and other healthcare technology.
· Evaluation of Systems Development Life Cycle, Change & Sustainability
· Describe consumer use of personal healthcare information (PHI) and barriers to access, use, and efficiency. Discuss the role of health inequities and racial disparities in patient use of PHI.
· Employ ethical and legal principles to:
· Outline a plan for the selection and implementation of the technology.
· Determine the appropriate information management program to assess and monitor healthcare outcomes.
· Include a plan to monitor unintended consequences and possible integration challenges with the EHR and other healthcare technology.
4. Quality Measures, Outcome Management, Regulatory Compliance & Risk (2-4 pages)
· Quality Measures, Outcome Management, Regulatory Compliance & Risk
· Discuss the quality outcomes you will monitor and evaluate.
· Outline evidence-based risk mitigation and security strategies to protect PHI.
· Apply a model or framework from your readings to monitor and prevent unintended consequences.
· Discuss your plan to sustain the change.
5. Conclusion
· Summarize the main points
References: Please refer to the APA7th resources for paper guidance.
Due
The assignment is due AS PER CANVAS SCHEDULE
Guidelines
· APA7th required
· Include the Title Page and 3-4 Scholarly References
· The minimum word limit is 2000
· The maximum word limit is 2500
· Not including Title Page and References
# Scholarly Application Paper
## Introduction
### Background of the Initiative
The integration of informatics and health information technology (HIT) in healthcare is essential for improving the quality and outcomes of patient care. Advanced technologies such as electronic health records (EHR), clinical decision support (CDS) systems, telehealth, and point-of-care (POC) technologies have the potential to enhance clinical workflows, support evidence-based practice (EBP), and reduce health disparities. This paper aims to synthesize and apply the knowledge gained from prior weeks to propose an initiative that leverages informatics and HIT to improve healthcare quality and population health outcomes. The initiative focuses on implementing a clinical decision support system (CDS) to enhance patient safety, healthcare quality, and reduce health inequities.
### Purpose of the Paper
The purpose of this paper is to outline an initiative where a CDS system is utilized to improve healthcare quality outcomes, enhance patient safety, and reduce health disparities. The paper will discuss the role of informatics, the competencies required for graduate nurses, system improvement strategies, and the integration and sustainability of the proposed HIT initiative.
## Healthcare Quality Outcomes, Safety, and Informatics
### Informatics Concepts
The role of informatics in healthcare is pivotal in leveraging epidemiological data to improve patient safety, reduce health disparities, and enhance population health outcomes. Informatics facilitates the collection, analysis, and dissemination of health data, which is critical for identifying trends, making informed decisions, and implementing preventive measures. By integrating CDS systems, healthcare providers can utilize real-time data to support clinical decisions, minimize errors, and provide personalized care based on the latest evidence.
### Advanced-Level Competencies and Knowledge
Graduate nurses require advanced competencies in informatics to lead interprofessional teams in using EBP to enhance patient safety and population health outcomes. These competencies include proficiency in data analytics, understanding of healthcare informatics principles, and the ability to use information and communication technology (ICT) to support clinical decision-making. Graduate nurses must also be skilled in managing and integrating HIT systems, ensuring data security, and promoting the ethical use of health information.
### Role and Professional Responsibility
Graduate nurses have a professional and ethical responsibility to use informatics to identify and address health inequities and disparities. This includes employing system improvement strategies such as implementing CDS systems to provide evidence-based recommendations, monitoring patient outcomes, and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions. Nurses must advocate for vulnerable populations, ensuring that healthcare technologies are accessible and beneficial to all patients. This responsibility extends to continuously monitoring and evaluating healthcare quality to close gaps in care and improve overall health outcomes.
## Clinical Workflow Analysis Process and Change Management
### Health Information Technology (HIT)
The identified innovative HIT, a CDS system, offers numerous benefits in improving patient safety, healthcare quality, and value-based care. CDS systems provide clinicians with evidence-based recommendations, alerts for potential medication errors, and reminders for preventive care, which enhances clinical decision-making and reduces the risk of adverse events. By integrating CDS into EHRs, healthcare providers can ensure that patient care is aligned with the latest clinical guidelines and best practices.
### Monitoring Unintended Consequences and Integration Challenges
Graduate nurses must be vigilant in monitoring unintended consequences and integration challenges associated with CDS systems. Potential issues include alert fatigue, workflow disruptions, and resistance to technology adoption. To address these challenges, nurses should engage in continuous training, involve stakeholders in the implementation process, and regularly assess the system’s impact on clinical workflows. Monitoring and addressing these challenges is essential to ensure the successful integration and sustainability of the CDS system.
### Evaluation of Systems Development Life Cycle, Change & Sustainability
Consumer use of personal healthcare information (PHI) and barriers to access, use, and efficiency are critical considerations in HIT implementation. Health inequities and racial disparities can impact patient use of PHI, requiring targeted strategies to ensure equitable access to health information. Ethical and legal principles must guide the selection and implementation of technology, ensuring that it aligns with patient needs and regulatory requirements.
### Plan for Technology Selection and Implementation
The selection and implementation of the CDS system will follow a structured approach, including needs assessment, stakeholder engagement, system evaluation, and pilot testing. An appropriate information management program will be established to assess and monitor healthcare outcomes, ensuring continuous improvement. A plan to monitor unintended consequences and integration challenges will be in place, with regular feedback loops to refine the system.
## Quality Measures, Outcome Management, Regulatory Compliance & Risk
### Quality Measures and Outcome Management
Quality outcomes to be monitored and evaluated include patient safety indicators, adherence to clinical guidelines, and patient satisfaction. Evidence-based risk mitigation and security strategies will be implemented to protect PHI, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards such as HIPAA. A model or framework, such as the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, will be applied to monitor and prevent unintended consequences, supporting continuous improvement.
### Sustaining the Change
To sustain the change, a comprehensive plan will be developed, including ongoing training for healthcare providers, regular system evaluations, and stakeholder engagement. Continuous quality improvement initiatives will be implemented, ensuring that the CDS system remains effective and aligned with evolving clinical guidelines and best practices. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and leveraging HIT, healthcare organizations can enhance patient care and achieve sustainable health outcomes.
## Conclusion
In conclusion, the integration of a CDS system in clinical practice has the potential to significantly improve healthcare quality outcomes, enhance patient safety, and reduce health disparities. Graduate nurses play a crucial role in leading the implementation and sustainability of HIT initiatives, leveraging their advanced knowledge and competencies in informatics. By adopting evidence-based practices and continuous quality improvement strategies, healthcare providers can ensure that technology enhances patient care and supports population health.
## References
LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2014). *Nursing research: Methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice*. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Montgomery, M. (2014, May 8). How to critically appraise articles – Idaho State University Library [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/ikuVmCtBvF0
SciToons. (2022, October 4). Research ethics | Ethics in research [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/mtLPd2u4DiA
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