Running head: ESSENTIAL IV AND EHR 1

Essential IV Information Management and Application of Patient Care

E-folio

Lyubov Kirillov

Frostburg State University

ESSENTIAL IV AND THE USE OF EHR 2

Essential IV and the use of EHR

In todays world, technology is a necessity and is widely used in many businesses.

Healthcare has been changing over the decades and patients Electronic Health Records that are

embedded in a computer system had become a standard. Nursing would be difficult without the

Health Information Technology. McGonigle and Mastrian (2012) define Nursing Informatics as

a combination of computer science, information science and nursing science designed to assist

in the management and processing of nursing data, information and knowledge to support the

practice of nursing and the delivery of nursing care (McGonigle and Mastrian, 2012, p. 122).

To better understand what is Essential IV and how it relates to Nursing Informatics, American

Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) states Graduates must have basic competence in

technical skills, which includes the use of computers, as well as the application of patient

care technologies such as monitors, data gathering devices, and other technological supports for

patient care interventions (AACN, 2008, p. 17). The Nursing Baccalaureate program helps

nurses to advance their computer science skills.

Reflection

There are many advantages in using a computerized system in nursing, for instance, the

Electronic Health Record (EHR). An Electronic Health Record is available to all members of the

patients healthcare team. McGonigle and Mastrian (2012) break down the EHR into eight

essential components that focus on patients safety: health information and data, results

management, order entry management, decision support, electronic processes, and reporting and

population health management (p. 289). With EHRs order entry management nurses are able to
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see and acknowledge orders for patients with a click of a button, orders are carried out within

minutes for interventions such as pain management and reduces patients suffering.

Exemplar

AACN (2008) continues to state, Computer and information literacy are crucial

to the future of nursing. (p. 17). With a computerized system, patient care is more efficient,

double orders are eliminated from the system, and multidisciplinary patient care strives to be a

well-oiled machine. AACN (2008) suggested that nurses autonomously Recognize the role of

information technology in improving patient care outcomes

and creating a safe care environment (p. 19), this includes programming IV pumps and scanning

patients ID band and medication to ensure safe administration. Computerized medication

administration system has greatly decreased medication errors in the last 15 years. Since the

activation of Patient Information Technology (HIT) patient care is proven to be safer. Healthcare

will continue to progress and HIT will continue to improve to facilitate patient safety and needs.
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References

The essentials of baccalaureate education for professional nursing practice. (20 October

2008). American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Retrieved from

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education-resources/BaccEssentials08.pdf

McGonigle, D., Mastrian, K. (2015). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge

(3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.