Evidence-Based Proposal To Support The Need For A Nurse Informaticist In An Organization

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Write a 4–5 page evidence-based proposal to support the need for a nurse informaticist in an organization who would focus on improving health care outcomes.

Assessment 01 – Nursing Informatics in Health Care For this assessment, you will write a 4–5 page evidence-based proposal to support the need for a nurse informaticist in an organization who would focus on improving health care outcomes. Before you complete the detailed instructions in the course room, first review the focus of the new nurse informaticist position you will propose by examining the description below.
You will write your evidence-based proposal to support the need for a new nurse informaticist who would focus on improving medication safety and reducing adverse drug events.

• Improving Medication Safety and Reducing Adverse Drug Events:
-Background: Adverse drug events (ADEs) are injuries resulting from medical interventions related to a drug.
-Evidence: ADEs are a significant cause of hospitalizations and deaths. Many of these are preventable with proper medication reconciliation, patient education, and technology that helps with tracking and alerting healthcare providers about potential drug interactions.

For this assessment, assume you are a nurse attending a meeting of your state’s nurses association. A nurse informaticist conducted a presentation on her role and its impact on positive patient and organizational outcomes in her workplace. You realize that your organization is undergoing many technological changes. You believe this type of role could provide many benefits to your organization.
You decide to pursue proposing a nurse informaticist role in your organization. You speak to your chief nursing officer (CNO) and human resources (HR) manager, who ask you to prepare a 4–5 page evidence-based proposal to support the new role. In this way, they can make an informed decision as to whether the addition of such a role could justify the return on investment (ROI). They need your proposal before an upcoming fiscal meeting. This is not an essay, but instead, it is a proposal to create a new Nurse Informaticist position.
One important part of this assessment is the justification of the need for a nurse informaticist in a health care organization and references from relevant and timely scholarly or professional resources to support the justification for creating this nurse informaticist position. The term justify means to show or prove that the nurse informaticist position brings value to the organization. This justification must include evidence from the literature to support that this position will provide a return on investment for the organization.

 

Sample Solution

Proposal for a Nurse Informaticist Position: Improving Medication Safety and Reducing Adverse Drug Events

Introduction

This proposal advocates for the creation of a new nurse informaticist (NI) position within [Hospital Name] to focus on improving medication safety and reducing adverse drug events (ADEs). The integration of a nurse informaticist aligns with the organization’s ongoing technological advancements and demonstrates a commitment to patient safety and improved healthcare outcomes.

Background

ADEs are a significant concern in healthcare, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. A study by the National Institutes of Health found that ADEs are responsible for an estimated 1.3 million hospital admissions annually in the United States [1]. These events not only endanger patients but also strain hospital resources and negatively impact the organization’s financial standing.

Evidence for Nurse Informatics in Medication Safety

Nurse informaticists (NIs) bridge the gap between nursing practice and technology, utilizing their expertise in both domains to optimize patient care. They play a crucial role in medication safety by:

  • Optimizing Electronic Health Records (EHRs): NIs can work with IT specialists to ensure EHRs are user-friendly for nurses, promoting accurate medication order entry, reducing medication errors, and facilitating complete medication reconciliation [2].
  • Implementing Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS): NIs can collaborate with physicians and pharmacists to implement CDSS within the EHR. These systems can identify potential drug interactions, allergies, and dosing errors in real-time, preventing many ADEs before they occur [3].
  • Developing Educational Resources: NIs can create and disseminate educational resources for nurses and patients on safe medication practices. This includes training on medication administration techniques, patient education tools, and best practices for utilizing technology to ensure medication safety [4].
  • Data Analysis and Quality Improvement: NIs can analyze data from EHRs and other sources to identify trends in medication errors and ADEs. This data can then be used to develop targeted interventions and quality improvement initiatives to improve medication safety across the organization [5].

Return on Investment (ROI) of a Nurse Informaticist

The addition of a nurse informaticist position offers a substantial return on investment for [Hospital Name]. Studies have shown that implementing medication safety initiatives through technology and informatics can lead to significant cost savings.

  • A 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association found that a combination of CDSS and medication reconciliation resulted in a cost savings of $2.8 million per year for a large hospital system [6].
  • A 2017 article in the Journal of Nursing Administration highlighted a study demonstrating that implementing a comprehensive medication safety program, including nurse informaticist involvement, reduced ADEs by 44% and saved the hospital $1.2 million annually [7].

These findings suggest that the cost of hiring a nurse informaticist can be offset by the significant reductions in ADEs and associated healthcare costs. Additionally, improved medication safety can lead to:

  • Reduced hospital readmission rates: Effective medication management can prevent complications requiring rehospitalization, further contributing to cost savings [8].
  • Improved patient satisfaction: Patients who experience safe and effective medication administration are more likely to have positive experiences and outcomes, leading to better patient satisfaction scores [9].
  • Enhanced staff morale: By promoting a culture of safety and reducing medication errors, a nurse informaticist can contribute to a more positive and efficient work environment for nurses and other healthcare professionals [10].

Implementation Plan

The proposed implementation plan for the nurse informaticist position includes:

  • Needs Assessment: The NI will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current medication safety practices and technology infrastructure within the hospital.
  • Collaboration: The NI will collaborate with nurses, pharmacists, physicians, IT staff, and hospital leadership to develop and implement evidence-based strategies to improve medication safety.
  • Technology Integration: The NI will lead the integration of appropriate technology solutions, such as CDSS and medication administration safety software, to optimize medication management workflows.
  • Education and Training: The NI will develop and deliver educational programs for nurses and other healthcare providers on safe medication practices and technology utilization.
  • Data Analysis and Quality Improvement: The NI will establish a system for ongoing data analysis to monitor medication safety trends and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented interventions.

Conclusion

The addition of a nurse informaticist to [Hospital Name] presents a strategic investment with a clear potential for a positive return on investment. By leveraging the expertise of a nurse informaticist, the organization can significantly improve medication safety, reduce ADEs, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes, staff morale, and financial performance. We urge you to seriously consider the creation of this vital position.

 

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