Deck 11: Informatics in Professional Nursing Practice

Question 1

What is your role as a nurse in protecting patient healthcare information?

Answer 1

As a nurse, my role in protecting patient healthcare information is multifaceted and critically important to maintain the trust and safety of the patients under my care. Here are several key responsibilities that I would undertake to ensure the protection of patient healthcare information:

1. **Adherence to HIPAA and Other Regulations**: Understanding and complying with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other relevant privacy laws is fundamental. This includes knowing what constitutes protected health information (PHI) and ensuring it is only accessed and disclosed according to the regulations.

2. **Maintaining Confidentiality**: I must keep all patient information confidential, sharing it only with those who have a legitimate need to know for the purpose of providing care or as permitted by law. This includes conversations with colleagues, documentation, and electronic communications.

3. **Secure Handling of Information**: Ensuring that all patient records, whether electronic or paper, are stored securely and only accessible to authorized personnel. This includes using passwords, secure networks, and encryption when necessary to protect electronic health records (EHRs).

4. **Education and Training**: Staying informed about the latest best practices in information security and attending regular training sessions. I would also take the initiative to educate my colleagues about the importance of information security and the proper handling of patient data.

5. **Reporting Breaches**: If I become aware of a potential breach of patient information, it is my duty to report it immediately to the appropriate authorities within the healthcare facility so that swift action can be taken to mitigate any harm.

6. **Proper Disposal of Information**: Ensuring that any physical documents containing patient information are disposed of securely, such as through shredding, and that electronic information is properly deleted or de-identified when it is no longer needed.

7. **Access Control**: Making sure to log out of secure systems when not in use and not sharing login credentials with others. I would also ensure that I only access the information necessary to perform my job duties.

8. **Patient Education**: Informing patients about their rights regarding their personal health information and how they can protect it, including the importance of keeping their health information secure from unauthorized access.

9. **Advocacy for Patient Privacy**: Acting as an advocate for patients by ensuring that their privacy is respected by all members of the healthcare team and that policies and procedures are in place and followed to protect their information.

10. **Continuous Improvement**: Participating in audits and assessments of privacy practices and suggesting improvements to policies and procedures to better safeguard patient information.

By fulfilling these responsibilities, I would be playing a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of patient healthcare information, which is essential for providing high-quality care and maintaining the trust of the patients I serve.

Question 2

What needs of populations in your region or state could be addressed with the use of telehealth? What ideas can you envision to assist in the access to and delivery of healthcare services where you live or work?

Answer 2

In my region, there are several needs of the population that could be addressed with the use of telehealth. One major need is access to healthcare services, especially for those living in rural or remote areas where there may be a shortage of healthcare providers. Telehealth can provide a way for these individuals to connect with healthcare professionals without having to travel long distances.

Additionally, telehealth can also address the need for mental health services, as there may be a stigma associated with seeking help in some communities. By offering telehealth options for counseling and therapy, individuals can access the support they need from the comfort and privacy of their own homes.

To assist in the access to and delivery of healthcare services in my region, I envision the implementation of telehealth kiosks in community centers or public spaces, where individuals can go to connect with healthcare providers virtually. This would provide a convenient and accessible way for people to receive medical advice and consultations.

Furthermore, I believe that partnerships between healthcare providers and local organizations, such as schools or community centers, could help to promote and facilitate the use of telehealth services. By raising awareness and providing resources for accessing telehealth, more individuals in my region could benefit from the convenience and efficiency of virtual healthcare. Additionally, offering training and support for healthcare professionals to effectively use telehealth technology would be crucial in ensuring the successful delivery of healthcare services through this platform.

Question 3

How can you locate online sources for more information on a new treatment or medications for a health condition you discussed in a nursing class or clinical this week?

Answer 3

To locate online sources for more information on a new treatment or medication for a health condition discussed in a nursing class or clinical, you can follow these steps:

1. **Start with Scholarly Databases**: Use academic databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. These databases provide access to a wide range of peer-reviewed articles, clinical trials, and systematic reviews.

2. **Search Professional Organizations**: Look for information from professional organizations related to the health condition or treatment in question. For example, the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, or the American Cancer Society often provide updates on new treatments and medications.

3. **Government Health Resources**: Utilize resources from government health agencies like the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These agencies often have the latest information on new treatments and medications that have been approved or are under investigation.

4. **Medical Journals**: Search for recent issues of reputable medical journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), and BMJ (British Medical Journal). Many journals offer some content for free or may be accessible through university libraries.

5. **Clinical Trial Registries**: Websites like ClinicalTrials.gov list ongoing and completed clinical trials. You can search for trials related to the treatment or medication and find detailed information about the study's purpose, methodology, and results (if available).

6. **Drug Manufacturer Websites**: Check the official websites of pharmaceutical companies that produce the medication in question. They often provide detailed information about their drugs, including clinical study results, prescribing information, and patient resources.

7. **Educational Institutions**: University websites and their associated medical centers often publish news and updates on research findings, including new treatments and medications.

8. **Online Medical Libraries**: Use online medical libraries such as MedlinePlus, which is a service of the NIH, to find information on drugs, supplements, and treatments.

9. **Healthcare Provider Resources**: Websites like UpToDate, Medscape, and Mayo Clinic offer evidence-based clinical information that is often used by healthcare professionals.

10. **Social Media and Professional Networks**: Follow relevant healthcare professionals, institutions, and journals on social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. They frequently share the latest research findings and discussions on new treatments and medications.

When searching for information, always ensure that the sources are credible and up-to-date. Evaluate the evidence critically, and if necessary, discuss the findings with your professors or mentors in the healthcare field to get their professional insights. Remember to check the publication date of the information and consider the reputation of the source. Peer-reviewed articles and guidelines from reputable organizations are generally the most reliable sources of information.

Question 4

What is your role as a nurse in the evaluation of information on the Internet?

Question 5

Discuss issues of the digital divide. Explore resources in your city and county for the general public to have free Internet access and assistance. What other technologic resources are available for underserved populations?

Question 6

Which of the following is included in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?

A) Standards for data transmission
B) Privacy regulations
C) Simplification of healthcare claims
D) All of these are correct.
E) None of these is correct.

Question 7

A nurse demonstrates the ability to locate and evaluate information as well as the ability to communicate processed data from the electronic health record. Which component of the Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform (TIGER) Informatics Competency Model is the nurse demonstrating?

A) Basic communication skills
B) Information literacy
C) Information management
D) Basic communication skills and information management
E) Information literacy and information management

Question 8

The Principles for Social Networking published by the American Nurses Association provide guidance for nurses. Which of the following is included in the publication?

A) Observe ethically prescribed professional patient-nurse boundaries.
B) Do not transmit or place online individually identifiable patient information.
C) Take advantage of privacy settings and seek to separate personal and professional information online.
D) Bring content that could harm a patient's privacy, rights, or welfare to the attention of appropriate authorities.
E) All of these are correct.

Question 9

A state board of nursing is investigating a report of inappropriate disclosures related to the use of social media by a nurse. What are the grounds of such an investigation by a board of nursing?

A) Unprofessional conduct
B) Breach of confidentiality
C) Falsification of patient records
D) Breach of confidentiality and falsification of patient records
E) Breach of confidentiality and unprofessional conduct

Question 10

A state board of nursing has found evidence of inappropriate disclosures related to the use of social media. Which disciplinary action by the board of nursing may the nurse face?

A) Reprimand or sanction
B) Assessment of a fine
C) Temporary or permanent loss of licensure
D) All of these are correct.

Question 11

What is the purpose of the clinical decision support system (CDSS) in the electronic health record (EHR)?

A) To lead the user through a decision-making process based on a set of data
B) To guide the user through a series of questions to narrow down the options for an effective treatment plan
C) To decrease the malpractice liability for the nurse and the healthcare facility
D) To guide the user through a series of questions to narrow down the options for an effective treatment plan and to decrease the malpractice liability for the nurse and the healthcare facility
E) To lead the user through a decision-making process based on a set of data and to guide the user through a series of questions to narrow down the options for an effective treatment plan

Question 12

The bar code medication administration (BCMA) system has been incorporated into practice in the facility where a nurse practices. Which of the following is a true statement related to use of the BCMA?

A) Eliminates the potential for medication error
B) Reduces the potential for medication error
C) Increases the potential for medication error
D) None of these is correct.

Question 13

Which of the following is included in most electronic health records (EHRs)?

A) Pharmacological databases
B) Lab value databases
C) Clinical guidelines
D) Lab value databases and clinical guidelines
E) Pharmacological and lab value databases

Question 14

The nurse administrator of a rural hospital is committed to incorporating informatics in nursing practice within the facility. Which of the following reflects the ultimate goal(s) of incorporating informatics and technology in nursing practice?

A) To elevate the reputation of the nursing profession
B) To improve healthcare quality
C) To improve patient safety
D) To improve healthcare quality and to elevate the reputation of the nursing profession
E) To improve healthcare quality and patient safety

Question 15

What characteristics are recommended by the Institute of Medicine for software designers to consider in the creation of electronic information systems?

A) Data should be accurate, timely, reliable, and entered directly into the system.
B) Evidence should be available at the point of care to aid in decision making.
C) Streamline workflow and automate mundane tasks.
D) Data should be easily imported and exchanged between systems.
E) All of these are correct.