Module 1: Question 2

Approximately 2 years ago we moved to the EMR. Literature has addressed apprehension and resistance from the older generation; however, I found that some of our “seasoned staff” knew that technology was upon them and there was no way out apart from retirement ( an unwise decision in a floundering economy?) and so many of them embraced this change by greeting technology and becoming superusers. To their credit, I think that they recognized the value in standardized documentation. CPOE is coming in the spring and again we are preparing our staff for the implementation of change. I am glad to see that a common thread in most conversations about CPOE is prevalent: patient safety.

When I began my nursing career, information was kept in three ring binders scattered around the unit. Now patient information, past and present health care records including labs, medications, progress, and interdisciplinary plan, is available from one location. Standards of practice, chemotherapy protocols and drug administration policy and procedures, patient incident reporting, etc are readily accessible. I trust the information that I retrieve is current. I trust that uniformly updating information systems is much more easily achieved today than locating every three ring binder.

Standards have been key in communicating with the main hospital and other facilities. Standards on cancer staging with the use of imaging is important as patients may be treated at different facilities over the course of their disease. The EMR has made the reconciliation of medication information easier. Patients going from the Huntsman to the main hospital or elsewhere in the community avoid omissions, duplication , dosing error, and drug interactions. I see daily use of NANDA terminologies that help nurses identify which patient care issues/diagnoses they can treat independently. I believe nursing is a profession so I am a fan. Gimme an “N”!

Advanced practice nurses and physicians deal with coding DRGs for billing and reimbursement purposes. My exposure is limited; however, after speaking with some physicians, I found that they felt that the retrieved information is too broad and did not accurately represent the interventions provided. Due to this, it was difficult to use any of the information with regard to research, public health, or policy development. On the other hand, some report that although accurate coding requires training and is dependent on the interpretation of the individual, auditors are able to identify who is being billed at higher levels than the care provided.

Module 1: Question 1

Nurse educators and nursing instructors need to be proficient with the information systems used by their staff and students. We must understand and anticipate the issues nurses face while working day to day in direct patient care: data recording, organization, retrieval, and interpretation. Nurse educators in a hospital facility also play an integral role in the training of staff in the implementation new information systems. We must deal with issues such acting as an advocate for nurses to have adequate and uninterrupted training time, providing input on training approaches, developing training resources and proficiency assessments, and follow up strategies for those with difficulty synthesizing the training. Nurse Educators are often among the superusers as well as act as their backup or resource. I see our role as mentors and leaders. Knowledge and proficiency on the use of information systems (electronic health record, education databases, drug databases, etc) affecting the daily lives of the nurses whom we support, contributes to the credibility of the Educator. Nurse Educators also utilize information systems when ensuring competency based training for staff. Instruction, evaluation and tracking through computer systems can effectively save time and resources.

As college instructors, knowledge of information management is vital when instructing large groups or when conducting distance learning. I currently use virtual learning environments to develop, manage and administer educational material. As the instructor for a 16 week course in oncology nursing, multimedia, web based learning, and various databases have made my staff education endeavors very rewarding. Podcasts, wikis, blogs, and effective the use of multimedia tools can assist audiences with a variety of learning styles. I heart technology.

Introduction

Here I am: Mary-Jean Austria- I’ve never been called that except by angered parents, the Sisters from St. Andrews, and immigration officers. Everyone calls me Gigi. I love playing acoustic guitar, mountain biking uphill, and teaching nursing. My program of study is obvious then….a graduate degree in cross country mountain biking: MCCMB. That would be a dream-come-true. Actually, I feel my (real) dream is being fufilled by obtaining a Masters in Teaching Nursing

I have been an Oncology Nurse for 17 years and currently work full-time at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital as a Nurse Educator. My commitment is to Oncology and the education of our future nursing workforce. In the future, I would consider a joint appointment with the CON while remaining as a Nurse Educator at Huntsman Cancer Hospital to keep a finger on the pulse of acute care oncology nursing.