NR 599 Nursing Informatics for Advanced Practice

NR 599 Nursing Informatics for Advanced Practice

NR 599 Nursing Informatics for Advanced Practice

Week 2 Discussion

DQ1 Midweek Comprehension Questions

This week’s lesson and graded assignment are opportunities for you to evaluate your own competencies in order to better understand nursing informatics and enhance your knowledge and skills. Competency assessment is an on-going process. You might be quick to assume that your competencies will always increase. Be mindful of barriers and challenges as you reflect on this topic. As you progress in this course, in the program, and beyond, how might you expect your competencies to evolve? Provide a brief response (100 words or less)

DQ2 Pre TANIC Self-Assessment and Reflection Post

Manage Discussion Entry

1. How is informatics used? 

We use informatics in several ways. It is used to collect and store information and data, such as information our EHR. EHR’s have come a long way and now connect patients to their provider with the click of a button from their phones. Informatics is also used in research. We are able to gather data related to new and best practices which is used to initiate evidence-based changes. Informatics can also be applied to general workflows in our care settings. It is a part of every aspect of medicine. The American Medical Informatics Association describes informatics as “… computer and information science to the advancement of life sciences research, health professions education, public health, and patient care” (What is informatics, n.d.).

2. Regarding the Pre-TANIC Self-Assessment for this week, how did your perceived competency level prior to the self-assessment compared to after the self-assessment? Explain in detail.  

Prior to the assessment I felt good about the technology that I use daily within my current role. After using the TANIC Self-assessment tool, I was not much surprised by my results. I am confident and competent in use of systems tools and our daily technology. I am less competent when it comes to informatics research or informatic process changes. Also, informatics is such a large category. I think it would be difficult to master all of it. Finding areas of competence and mastering those areas can be helpful. For example, I excel with use of Epic. As such, I have requested to be one of our Super Users for the program. But even though I scored myself lower in some areas of the assessment, I still had no categories in the assessment that I rated as Novice. I was competent or higher in all areas. Expert or proficient when it comes to operation of personal computer and the various applications and competent or proficient with respect to use of technology to guide patient care.

3. What TWO competencies do you use in your current clinical role? Provide examples.  

In my current role we use HIS to guide patient care (guidelines, plan of care, protocols) and we use HIS to communicate electronically with providers. We are able to use HIS to access policies and procedures from our organizations employee portal. This is an important guide for patient care. We always have nursing resources available on best practice procedures. For example, if we need to refresh on proper procedure for changing a central line dressing, we can go on to our employee portal, access Eslevier clinical skills, and are able to search and view proper procedure for central line dressing changes. We have an online database of policies for use as well. While our policies cover every topic from general roles, to patient guided care, we can often cross reference clinical skills with a corporate policy addressing the same issue. We also have built in nursing protocols for triage in our emergency room. We are able to execute appropriate protocols in Epic when triaging our patients based off chief complaint, assessment, and clinical judgment. 

In my current role we also use telehealth. We are a small community based hospital. We have a 4-bed inpatient unit that I float to frequently. Since all our hospitalists are staffed at the larger locations in the city, we use telehealth for patient admissions, assessments, and any change in patient conditions. Continued innovations in the technology of telehealth has created the opportunity to provide better care to patients in remote settings (Brown, et al., 2022). By becoming familiar and competent with use of this technology allows us to stay connected with other providers and optimize the best possible care to our patients when they are admitted to our community locations. Our telehealth equipment is fully functional. We have tools that attached to the computer station which allow our hospitalist to assess our patient in real-time but from a remote location. With assistance of the RN, they are able to inspect skin and even listen to heart and lungs. So, for my role, being able to operate the telehealth equipment and its applications with competence allows my provider to fully assess my patient leading to more accurate plan of care. 

4. Identify TWO resources to develop a strategic plan to enhance your competency skills.   

A study was done by Akbari, et al. gauged toward nurses self-competency related to basic computer skills, informatics knowledge, and informatics skills (Self-assessment, 2020). They found that the higher the education and training, the higher the competency in informatics (Akbari, et al., 2020). Once we have been able to identify our weaknesses in informatics (self-assessment), then we are able to develop a plan to increase our competency. Goal setting is one tool I can use to increase my competency. Because I have been able to assess my areas of weakness and reflect on areas of needed improvement, I can set goals to increase my knowledge in the areas where I am less confident. As we grow as leaders, we must be able to assess our own knowledge base and determine what additional skills and/or experience is needed to advance our competency (Backonja, et al., 2021). I have higher competence in basic computer skills than I do in informatics knowledge and informatics skills. So, I can use goal setting as a resource to increase my competence in these two areas.

As Akbari, et al. noted, education and training lead to higher competence (Self-assessment, 2020). I can use continuing education opportunities within my facility as a resource to increase my knowledge. I am also fortunate to have great teachers and mentors in my department. I can utilize this as a resource for learning. Backonja, et al. states that mentoring programs are resources that can provide support that take us from novice level to expert in HIT (How to support the nursing, 2022). Backonja, et al. goes on to state that mentorship is an important tool because mentors can provide real-time feedback on areas of needed improvement (How to support the nursing, 2022).

5. Which resources are suited to your needs and why?  

Mentorship on the job is better suited for me. I do well with a hands on approach and having a interactive dialogue with someone. I work in a teaching environment and our providers embrace this atmosphere. I have ample opportunity to learn from them and they are a wealth of knowledge. They are also good about pointing out additional resources for learning. And while I still plan to use the educational tools offered by my organization, I think combining these education with what I can learn from my mentors will draw a better understanding in the areas of informatics where I am less proficient.

6. How do you intend to enact this improvement plan? 

Miller, et al. states that looking for teachable moments is an important concept because a vast amount of learning occurs within our clinical environment (Recognizing and seizing, 2021). In this respect, learning is a purposeful and continual process that we have to act on. To enact my improvement plan I will continually assess my level of competencies, revise, or set new goals, and then actively seek teachable moments with my mentors. I will also incorporate educational modules or courses offered by my organization into my learning. This will allow me to bring learned concepts into practice and ask questions of those with more experience than myself.

Akbari, H., Frazandipour, M., Jabali, M., Mohamadian, H. & Safari, S. (2020). Self-assessment of nursing informatics competencies in hospitals. HIMSS. Retrieved on 03/12/2023 from: https://www.himss.org/resources/self-assessment-nursing-informatics-competencies-hospitalsLinks to an external site.

American Medical Informatics Association (March, n.d.). What is informatics? Informatics: Research and Practice. Retrieved on 03/12/2023 from: https://amia.org/about-amia/why-informatics/informatics-research-and-practiceLinks to an external site.

Backonja, U., Langford, L. & Mook, P. (2021). Calling nursing informatics leaders: opportunities for personal and professional growth. OJIN: The Journal of Issues in Nursing, 26(3). https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol26No03Man06Links to an external site.

Backonja, U., Langford, L. & Mook, P. (2022). How to support the nursing informatics leadership pipeline recommendations for nurse leaders and professional organizations. Computers Informatics Nursing, 40(1), 8-20. DOI: 10.1097/CIN0000000000000827. Retrieved on 03/12/2023 from: https://www.journals.lww.com/cinjournal/Fulltext/2022/01000/How_to_Support_the_Nursing_Informatics_Leadership.3.aspxLinks to an external site.

Brown, J. & Hewner, S. (2022). The role of telehealth and clinical informatics in data driven primary care redesign.  Journal of Informatics Nursing, 6(4). Retrieved on 03/12/2023 from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9211055/Links to an external site.

Miller, B. & Szymusiak, J. (2021). Recognizing and seizing the teachable moment. Academic Pediatrics, 21(5), 767-771. Retrieved on 03/12/2023 from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187628592030485XLinks to an external site.

NR 599 Nursing Informatics for Advanced Practice

Purpose

The self-assessment is completed using the TIGER-based Assessment of Nursing Informatics Competencies (TANIC) tool. TIGER refers to the Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform Initiative which identified a list of the minimum informatics competencies for all nurses and students graduating from pre- and post-licensure programs. The graded self-evaluation of your informatics competencies is required in order to increase one’s own u nderstanding of competencies in nursing informatics which will enable the planning of strategies to enhance knowledge and skills.

Activity Learning Outcomes

Through this assignment, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

Apply knowledge of nursing informatics and non-nursing science (CO 1 and 2)

Assess nursing informatics competencies (CO2)

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Evaluate progress in enhancing nursing informatics competencies (CO4)

Foster professional and personal development with planning strategies to enhance these competencies (CO4)

Examine ethical decision making in relation to these competencies (CO3)

NR 599 Nursing Informatics for Advanced PracticeDue Date:

This assignment is due no later than the Sunday, 11:59 p.m. MT at the end of Week 2.

Total Points Possible: 75

Requirements:

In order to prepare for this assignment, read the lessons as well as the assigned readings BEFORE attempting the self-assessment.

Please use the following hyperlink to access and complete the survey: Week 2 Pre-TANIC Self-Assessment Survey (Links to an external site.)

FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF ZERO (0) FOR THE ASSIGNMENT.

After completing the survey, navigate to the Week 2 Module in Canvas and respond to EACH of the q uestion s for your Reflection Post.

The Reflection Posts DOES NOT require cross-posting to a peer or faculty .

Scholarly sources: Only scholarly sources are acceptable for citation and reference in this course. These include peer reviewed publications, government reports, or sources written by a professional or scholar in the field. Your textbook and lesson are not considered to be an outside scholarly source. For the discussions and reflection posts, reputable internet sources such as websites by government agencies (URL ends in .gov) and respected organizations (often ends in .org) can be counted as scholarly sources. The best outside scholarly source to use is a peer-reviewed nursing journal. You are encouraged to use the Chamberlain library and search one of the available data bases for a peer-reviewed journal article. The following sources should not be used: Wikipedia, Wikis, or blogs. These web sites are not considered scholarly as anyone can add to these. Please be aware that .com websites can vary in scholarship and quality. For example, the American Heart Association is a .com site with scholarship and quality. It is the responsibility of the student to determine the scholarship and quality of any .com site. Ask your instructor before using any site if you are unsure. Points will be deducted from the rubric if the site does not demonstrate scholarship or quality. Current outside scholarly sources must be published with the last 5 years. Instructor permission must be obtained BEFORE the assignment is due if using a source that is older than 5 years.

ATTENTION: Students will not receive results following completion of this survey. For the reflection questions, please recall how you rated your proficiency/competency with the skills on the survey.

NR 599 Nursing Informatics for Advanced Practice

Reflection Questions:

Reflect upon your current or most recent clinical practice and answer the following:

How is informatics used?

Regarding the Pre-TANIC Self-Assessment for this week, how did your perceived competency level prior to the self-assessment compare to after the self-assessment? Explain in detail.

What TWO competencies do you use in your current clinical role? Provide examples.

Identify TWO resources to develop a strategic plan to enhance your competency skills.

Which resources are suited to your needs and why?

How do you intend to enact this improvement plan?

Informatics in the healthcare field is more common than one might think.  At my current practice, informatics is tied into a majority of what we do.  We use an electronic health record system to complete all our documentation, prescription refills, as well as lab orders.  We can access other healthcare facility records after proper paperwork is filled out.  We also have Telemedicine capabilities which is great when patients are unable to leave their homes or do appointments during their lunch breaks.  It is important for one to understand where patient information can be located in healthcare software, systems, devices associated with those systems, and networks (Pino, 2022).

Prior to taking the Pre-TANIC Self-Assessment survey, I felt my competency level in computer technology and information literacy was exceptional.  While completing the Pre-TANIC Self-Assessment I realized I do not know very much about being safe online.  After reading the questions on the self-assessment questionnaire I often answered that I was in the middle range for most of the technology and computer-based questions.  My answers on the questionnaire really made me think about my position on computer safety and technology.  It opened my eyes to the realization that I need to improve my competency level on technology and information literacy. 

Using the self-improvement plan I can develop steps to help me succeed in improving my competencies.  Step one was accomplished when I completed the Pre-TANIC Self-Assessment, and I realized that I need to improve my technology skills and knowledge. Step two is to create a goal. The third step is to make achievable deadlines in order to complete the goal.   The fourth step is to determine how I will reach my goal by creating an action plan.  Finally, the fifth step is to review my progress on accomplishing my goal. 

My goal is to gain more understanding about online safety and what I can do to have more security while working with patient’s healthcare information. I will complete videos produced by Cyber.org and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.  These two companies produced a sequence called Cyber Safety Series. It contains seven videos which I will watch to improve my understanding of how to stay safer when online.  The videos discuss common threats individuals come across online and how to protect oneself (Cyber Innovation Center, 2020).  This is a great resource as it has a lot of excellent information packed into a few minutes per video. 

To be more compliant and understanding of computer technology safety at my workplace.  HealthIT.gov website has great resources and tools for healthcare providers regarding privacy and security of patient information.  The tools, resources, and educational information are made available to improve HIPPA and other healthcare privacy and security compliance into one’s healthcare practice (HealthIT.org, 2019). With this resource I can work my way down the list of tools and educational information. This information is directed at the type of work that I do, and it will help me feel more compliant when working with patient information and technology that is used. 

Now that I have set my goal and identified the resources I will use, I can determine my timeline for achieving my goal.  In order to achieve my goal, I must complete the educational information from my resources prior to the due date of the Post-TANIC Self-Assessment survey.  I have until the twenty- second of April to complete these.  My first deadline will be to complete all of the seven videos from the Cyber.org website by March twenty-second.  If I meet this deadline, I will have one month to complete all the educational information on the HealthIT.org website. 

To achieve my goal and complete my resource education I must determine how I will do that.  I will watch 2 videos a day from the Cyber.org website to complete them all by the twenty-second of March.  I can listen to one video on the way to work and one video on the way home from work each day.  If for some reason, I am unable to listen to a video on the way to work I will watch it during my lunch break. If I am unable to listen to a video on the way home from work, I will watch it after my children are in bed that night. In order to get through all the educational information from the HealthIT.org website I will have to complete thirty pages of reading or a total of sixty minutes reading and or watching videos, whichever comes first.  Video content can be listened to on the route to work and back.  I can print off and review other material while riding in the car or after other assignments are completed for school.  This plan should give me enough leeway in case something comes up unexpected, to get my goal accomplished. Step five at this time can not be discussed as I have no goal progress at this time.