NURS FPX 6410 Assessment 1 Presentation to Informatics Staff

Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX 6410 Fundamentals of Nursing Informatics

Prof. Name

Date

Presentation to Informatics Staff

Welcome to our presentation on the integral role of the American Nurses Association (ANA) standards in promoting quality outcomes in nursing practice and how nursing informatics strengthens those outcomes. Among us today, there are nursing staff, nursing informatics specialists, healthcare administrators, quality improvement coordinators, data analysts, regulatory compliance officers, and patient care advocates. Your engagement is crucial to successfully integrating ANA standards and enhancing quality outcomes through effective data utilization.

Presentation Roadmap

In today’s presentation, we will:

Describe the essential role of ANA standards in nursing practice and why it is vital to follow these standards.
Understand the emerging field of nursing informatics.
Differentiate between validated and invalidated data and identify how validated data can highlight practice gaps.
Recognize the role of moral and regulatory practices in quality results.
Comprehend the value of theoretical models in nursing informatics.
Illustrate the application of standards with a specific example:

Apply theoretical framework
Analyze the role of regulatory bodies.
Evaluate ethical and legal practices.
Analyze the use of validated data to recognize nursing practice gaps.

Let us begin our presentation.

ANA Standards and Nursing Practice

The American Nurses Association (ANA) standards serve as a fundamental framework for nursing practice, providing guidelines that ensure congruency and quality across the profession. These standards encompass a wide range of practices, including patient care activities, ethical behavior, collaboration and coordination, leadership, and professional performance (American Nurses Association, n.d.). By adhering to these standards, nurses can deliver effective care to the patients, respecting their dignity and rights. Moreover, these standards help to unify the nursing profession under a common set of principles, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.

Why is it Important to Follow these Standards?

Following ANA standards is vital for enhancing quality outcomes as they are based on evidence-based best practices and research. These standards help to minimize variability in care, reduce errors, and promote patient safety. ANA standards are essential to protect and advance nursing practices, eventually allowing them to provide high-quality and efficient care (ANA, n.d.). Moreover, the standards guide continuous professional development and competency, ensuring that nurses remain current with evolving healthcare practices and technologies. In turn, this leads to improved patient outcomes, higher patient satisfaction, and overall better healthcare delivery.

Nursing Informatics – An Emerging Field

As our presentation is about the role of data/information in supporting ANA’s role in enhancing quality outcomes, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the emerging field of nursing informatics. We have some nurse informaticians in our audience. However, this background is vital for other stakeholders.

Nursing informatics is a rapidly growing field that combines nursing practice and information technology to analyze and transmit data and knowledge in clinical practice. This discipline aims to enhance the quality and efficiency of patient care by optimizing information management and communication processes (Park & Park, 2022). By leveraging electronic health records (EHRs), data analytics, and decision support systems, nursing informatics helps improve clinical workflows, reduce errors, and support evidence-based practice. According to the ANA, As the healthcare industry is moving forward toward data-driven practice, the role of nursing informatics is vital in ensuring that nurses can effectively utilize technology and information to augment patient results and boost the quality of care (ANA, 2023).

Validated and Invalidated Data

Validated data is described as accurate, verified, and reliable information. This process ensures that all incomplete, inaccurate, and unstandardized data is removed to get trustworthy information (Kakarash, 2023). In contrast, invalidated data lacks such verification and can be measured through inconsistent methods, such as subjective observations. The validated data in a clinical setting might include patient vital signs recorded using calibrated instruments and lab results from accredited laboratories, making it reliable for clinical decisions and implementing quality improvement initiatives. On the other hand, anecdotal reports or data collected through non-standardized surveys are examples of invalidated data in practice settings.

The Usefulness of Validated Data

Validated data is instrumental in identifying practice gaps by providing accurate and comprehensive insights into current practices and outcomes. By analyzing validated data from patients’ dashboards and surveys, healthcare professionals can detect patterns and trends that indicate areas needing improvement. For example, a study exemplified the use of validated data through the SERVQUAL instrument (a validated data measurement tool) to enhance the quality of patient care in ICU settings, allowing for targeted interventions to improve practice and patient outcomes (Lu et al., 2020). Another instance where data on patient readmission rates, when validated, can reveal patterns indicating potential shortcomings in discharge planning or follow-up care. Thus, validated data serves as a reliable tool for evidence-based practice, driving quality improvement and fostering a culture of accountability and excellence in healthcare.

Ethical and Legal Practices

Ethical and authorized standards ground the foundations of quality patient outcomes in nursing care, particularly when aligned with ANA standards. Adhering to moral principles, such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and fairness, ensures that patient care is both compassionate and fair. According to Varkey (2021), these principles guide nurses in making decisions that prioritize patient welfare, uphold their rights, and promote trust in the healthcare system. Thus, the ANA has developed a Center for Ethics and Human Rights, which helps nurses employ moral principles to address ethical dilemmas and perform everyday practices (American Nurses Association, n.d.-b.). For instance, the standards developed by ANA based on informed consent and confidentiality ethical considerations prevent potential harm and protect patient privacy, leading to better patient satisfaction and outcomes.

Similarly, legal practices, grounded in statutory and regulatory requirements, help maintain high standards of care by establishing clear responsibilities and accountability. Compliance with laws and regulations ensures that competent and safe care is delivered in accordance with established guidelines (Sharma et al., 2023). By following these official standards, nurses avoid legal repercussions and contribute to a culture of safety and reliability. Thus, ethical and legal practices support continuous improvement and help prevent errors, thereby enhancing overall patient outcomes and fostering a safer, more effective healthcare environment.

Theoretical Frameworks/Models in Nursing Informatics

Conceptual models in nursing informatics are vital for directing the incorporation of technology and information into clinical practice and enhancing patient care. These frameworks provide structured approaches to understanding and implementing complex information systems, ensuring that technological solutions align with nursing needs and practices.

The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) helps assess the usefulness and effectiveness of technological integration in practices (Alfuqaha et al., 2022). This can lead to improved system design and user training, enhancing the quality of our services.
Another theoretical model, the Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom (DIKW) Model, is invaluable. The DIKW Model provides a structured approach to transforming raw data into meaningful information actionable knowledge, ultimately assisting in clinical decision-making (Cato et al., 2020). By applying this model, nurses can better understand the flow of information and its application to patient care.

These frameworks provide a comprehensive understanding of how technology can be effectively integrated into nursing practice, ensuring that it meets the needs of patients and healthcare providers and contributes to better-quality care.

Illustration of ANA Standards Using an Example

In this assessment, I will illustrate the implementation of electronic health records (EHRs) in a hospital setting to describe the connection between ANA standards of practice and nursing informatics to improve patient outcomes.

ANA Standards and EHR Implementation

In this example, ANA standards such as Standard 8: Culturally Congruent Practice and Standard 9: Communication are crucial (American Nurses Association, n.d.). The former ensures that EHR systems support diverse patient needs by providing culturally relevant data and communication tools. Similarly, standard 9 emphasizes the importance of clear, effective communication through EHRs, facilitating accurate documentation and information exchange. By adhering to these standards, the hospital ensures that EHR implementation aligns with best practices in patient-centered care and promotes efficient, culturally competent, and transparent communication among healthcare providers.

Applying a Theoretical Framework

We will apply the DIKW model to the implementation of EHRs. The “Data” in this example are the patient records, which are organized into meaningful formats like charts or summaries to create “Information.” Then, this information is interpreted by nurses to understand patient conditions and trends, turning information into “Knowledge.” Using this knowledge, nurses and other healthcare providers make informed decisions and provide personalized care (Wisdom). This model ensures a seamless transition from data to high-quality patient care, enhancing clinical decision-making and improving outcomes (Cato et al., 2020). By following the DIKW Model, EHRs become a powerful tool for transforming data into actionable insights in nursing practice.

Standards from Regulatory Bodies

The regulatory body that applies to this example is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This organization regulates EHR use through its Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, promoting meaningful use of certified EHR technology (Alammari et al., 2021). CMS standards focus on improving quality, safety, and efficiency, as well as reducing health disparities. Compliance with CMS requirements ensures that EHRs are used to track and report quality measures, manage chronic conditions, and facilitate coordinated care. This results in enhanced patient care, better health outcomes, and financial incentives for healthcare providers, driving widespread adoption and effective utilization of EHR systems.

Ethical and Legal Practices

In implementing EHRs, adherence to ethical and legal practices is crucial. Ethically, ensuring patient confidentiality and data security aligns with ANA standards for maintaining patient privacy and trust. Legally, adherence to regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is crucial to safeguard patient information from unauthorized access and breaches (Edemekong et al., 2024). Proper training for staff on the legal and ethical use of EHRs is necessary to avoid inadvertent violations and ensure that patient data is handled responsibly.

Use of Validated Data to Recognize Practice Lapses

Validated data from EHRs can help identify practice gaps by providing accurate, comprehensive insights into clinical workflows and patient outcomes. For example, if validated data reveals a pattern of delays in documentation or medication administration, it indicates potential inefficiencies or areas needing improvement in clinical practices. Analyzing this data allows the hospital to address these gaps by implementing targeted interventions, such as refining EHR workflows, enhancing staff training, or modifying procedures to improve overall care quality and operational efficiency.

Conclusion

In conclusion, integrating ANA standards with nursing informatics is essential for enhancing nursing practice and improving patient outcomes. By adhering to these standards, utilizing validated data to identify practice gaps, and applying relevant theoretical models, healthcare professionals can ensure high-quality care and efficient use of technology. Ethical and legal considerations further support this framework by safeguarding patient rights and ensuring compliance with regulations. Embracing these principles and tools will lead to more effective, evidence-based practices and, ultimately, better healthcare delivery. Thank you for your attention, and let us continue to strive for excellence in our nursing practices.

References

Alammari, D., Banta, J. E., Shah, H., Reibling, E., & Ramadan, M. (2021). Meaningful use of electronic health records and ambulatory healthcare quality measures. Cureus, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.13036

Alfuqaha, O. A., Rabay’ah, M., Al.khashashneh, O., & Alsalaht, M. (2022). Technology acceptance model among nurses and other healthcare providers during the 2019 Coronavirus pandemic: A comparative cross-sectional study. Central European Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 13(4), 775–782. https://doi.org/10.15452/cejnm.2022.13.0023

American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice. nursingworld.org. https://www.nursingworld.org/~4af71a/globalassets/catalog/book-toc/nssp3e-sample-chapter.pdf

American Nurses Association. (n.d.-b). Ethics and human rights. ANA; nursingworld.org. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/

NURS FPX 6410 Assessment 1 Presentation to Informatics Staff

ANA. (n.d.). Nursing Scope of Practice | American Nurses Association. ANA; nursingworld.org. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/scope-of-practice/

ANA. (2023, July 5). What is nursing informatics and why is it so important? nursingworld.org. https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/nursing-resources/nursing-informatics/

Cato, K. D., McGrow, K., & Rossetti, S. C. (2020). Transforming clinical data into wisdom. Nursing Management, 51(11), 24–30. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.numa.0000719396.83518.d6

Edemekong, P. F., Haydel, M. J., & Annamaraju, P. (2024). Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500019/

Kakarash, Z. A. (2023). Why is data validation important in research?

Research Gate. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.34496.81920

NURS FPX 6410 Assessment 1 Presentation to Informatics Staff

Lu, S.-J., Kao, H.-O., Chang, B.-L., Gong, S.-I., Liu, S.-M., Ku, S.-C., & Jerng, J.-S. (2020). Identification of quality gaps in healthcare services using the SERVQUAL instrument and importance-performance analysis in medical intensive care: A prospective study at a medical center in Taiwan. BMC Health Services Research, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05764-8

Park, J., & Park, J. (2022). Identifying the knowledge structure and trends of nursing informatics. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 41(1), 8–17. https://doi.org/10.1097/cin.0000000000000919

Sharma, A., Vriti Gamta, & Luthra, G. (2023). Ensuring patient safety and trust: The critical importance of regulatory compliance in healthcare. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International, 35(18), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.9734/jpri/2023/v35i187390

Varkey, B. (2021). Principles of clinical ethics and their application to practice. Medical Principles and Practice, 30(1), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.1159/000509119