Nursing informatics is a burgeoning field that is rapidly changing the way nurses care for patients. Informatics is the application of computing technology to healthcare and encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including healthcare informatics, health information management, patient safety, and clinical informatics. In this article, we will discuss how it can help improve patient safety by providing vital sign monitoring and helping identify potential safety hazards.
The definition provided by the American Nurses Association (ANA) has become widely referenced in defining nursing informatics:
Nursing Informatics “is the specialty that integrates nursing science with multiple information and analytical sciences to identify, define, manage, and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice.”
Nursing informatics professionals are, first and foremost, patient advocates. Patient safety is their number one priority, and they work with a diverse group of stakeholders across the care continuum to bridge the gap between clinical and technical perspectives. This field has helped drive healthcare’s application of technologies such as Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and computerized provider order entry.
They are responsible for developing and implementing advanced nursing information systems and technology, as well as processes and procedures that support care coordination, quality improvement initiatives, evidence-based practice, and optimal outcomes.
Nursing informaticists can help improve patient safety by providing nurses with the tools to identify and manage risks. For example, if a patient’s vital signs are not stable, this may indicate that the patient is in danger of developing a serious health complication. Nurses can use nursing informatics-sponsored tools to monitor vital signs, create patient safety plans, and track progress towards patient safety goals.
The Visi Mobile System helps hospitals improve patient safety across the enterprise with minimum impact on the alarm burden and clinical workflow. If we can help nurses detect patient deterioration early enough, further complications can be avoided. It is designed to provide continuous surveillance monitoring for patients in general care settings and beyond.
With continuous surveillance monitoring of key vital signs, early recognition and detection of patient deterioration enable clinicians to make timely and effective interventions. ViSi Mobile monitors the following:
- Arrhythmias
- Posture
- Skin Temperature
- Continuous Non-Invasive Blood Pressure
- Heart Rate
- Pulse Rate
- SpO2
- Posture
- Respiration Rate
- Fall Detection
By using the ViSi Mobile surveillance monitoring system from Sotera, patient core vital signs can be monitored remotely to identify patient deterioration related to medication side effects, developing conditions such as new-onset atrial fibrillation, and can even tell you if your patient has fallen.
In conclusion, nursing informatics has the potential to improve patient safety by monitoring the effectiveness of patient safety interventions. It helps reduce medication errors, reduce adverse drug reactions, and improve compliance to practice guidelines. By doing this, it is ensured that patients are receiving the safest care possible.
