At the heart of the modern population, health approaches eliminate health equality and health
disparities. Health informatics is increasingly recognized as a critical tool in reaching desired
population health outcomes. Dykes et al. (2014) expressed that informatics enables nurses and
physicians to access patients' data quickly and to provide necessary care based on patient's
medical history (Dykes et al., 2014, p. 8).
In my clinical practice, patient information is documented in one electronic health record system
(Epic EHR) throughout the organization, whether it is an outpatient or inpatient encounter. This
allows quick access to patients' records, reducing errors and mistakes because nurses can follow
protocols, read patients' medical histories, and offer the appropriate care they need. In this
regard, nurses can securely share patients' data with various professionals involved in their care
to allow them to make collective decisions and improve the quality of care. Park & Park (2023)
explained that nursing informatics is the specialization that blends nursing science with multiple
information management and analytical sciences in order to recognize, illustrate, manage, and
transmit information, knowledge, expertise, and data in nursing practice (Park & Park, 2023, p.
1).
Most importantly, Dykes et al. (2014) noted that informatics increases patient participation since
they can easily access their health records and oversee their health by understanding their
medical conditions and symptoms without going to the hospital (Dykes et al., 2014, p.8). Patients
can talk to their healthcare providers about their conditions and participate in making decisions
about the correct treatment they need to manage their health. Patients' access to their records
helps them receive better care as they can quickly talk to their physicians in an emergency and
obtain timely medical assistance.
Indeed, informatics grants patients and healthcare professionals multiple resources to manage
and improve patients' healthcare outcomes, thus creating positive health outcomes.
References
Dykes, P. C., Murphy, J., & Womack, D. (2014). Informatics Strategies & Tools to Link Nursing
Care with Patient Outcomes in the Learning Health Care System. Nursing Informatics Working
Group.
Park J, Park J. Identifying the Knowledge Structure and Trends of Nursing Informatics: A Text
Network Analysis. Computers, Informatics, Nursing: CIN. 2023 Jan;41(1):8-17. DOI:
10.1097/cin.0000000000000919. PMID: 35703232; PMCID: PMC9835675.
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