-Explain the concept of a knowledge worker (in nursing). -Define and explain nursing informatics and - highlight the role of a nurse leader as a knowledge worker. Include - -your examination of the da

Informatics meshes technology and information into something useful. In nursing, informatics uses media such as health portals, mobile apps, social networking, and telehealth to aide nurses, patients and other stakeholders in decision making. When utilizing informatics our knowledge increases, we communicate better, we become more efficient with our job, and we provide better patient care.

As a hospice nurse, I often admit patients with very little to no medical history. My scenario would be to have a database that shares all health information for patients. If this would be available, decisions could be made that is in the best interest of the patient immediately and not have to wait for information to be sent. When having to wait, it impedes patient care and often has to backtrack and change the plan of care. Many times there is vital medical history missed because the patient/family member is a poor historian due to disease process or stress of the situation. If there is one database for all information potential medication errors could be avoided because you would know information such as allergies, current and previous medications prescribed.

This technology is already available to some extent in the prescription pain medicine world. The prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) is a database that keeps track of controlled substances being prescribed. This is used in the fight against the opioid epidemic occurring today.

This idea is not new but has not come to fruition yet. If this was to occur, HIPPA would have to be strictly maintained. This could happen by having the patient sign an agreement allowing their information to be in the database and every provider having access to it. Many people travel even state to state and if there was a national database, all health records would be available at the fingertips of the provider no matter where the patient was allowing efficient and knowledgeable patient care.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). What is Informatics? [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Health Informatics and Population Health: Trends in Population Health [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.