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Nurse informaticists tie together healthcare, technology
As hospitals attempt to bring new technology into patient care, nursing informatics is emerging as a fast-growing nursing career, helping to keep healthcare workers on the cutting edge of information technology.
A nurse informaticist is a nurse with advanced information technology skills, who uses his or her skills to marry healthcare to technology in varying ways, such as providing expertise with the development of electronic health records. The demand for nurse informaticists is increasing as the healthcare industry works toward making electronic health records paperless. In addition to hospitals, these professionals work for clinics, home health agencies, software companies, and nursing homes, among other venues. Many are affiliated with major universities and conduct formal research.
While formal certification is useful, some nurses are able to enter the information technology field without credentials. Nurses will often participate in training courses provided by their companies.
Sources: The Dallas Morning News, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Other articles of interest:
Hospitals adopt handheld devices to improve efficiency
Washable computer gives doctors a clean slate
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Indiana hospital undertakes creative scheduling strategies
In light of increasing workloads and long hours for nurses, members of the Maine State Nurses Association are considering a bill that would impose nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in hospitals.
The bill, which includes whistleblower protection and would punish violators with a fine up to $25,000, spells out ratios for different units and situations. In ICUs, burn units, and post-anesthesia recovery units, one nurse would be required for every two patients. In EDs, one nurse would be required for every four patients, and in rehabilitation units, one nurse would be needed for every five patients.
Proponents of the bill say that the law would lead to better patient care. Critics, however, state that the approach is unbending and could thus force hospitals to shut down a number of beds.
Sources: The Portland Press Herald, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Other articles of interest:
In House vote, nurses win a round
Idaho lawmakers approve funds to bolster nurse education
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Bring accelerated learning to your classroom
Accelerated learning is the process of acquiring knowledge and skills at a rapid rate. Successful accelerated learning depends on a reduced-stress, supportive environment accompanied by the use of resourceful teaching strategies that include visual aids, graphics, music, imagery, and active learner participation. To facilitate accelerated learning, use techniques appropriate for all three learning styles (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic). Provide:
- Visual triggers such as flash cards
- Auditory triggers such as reciting information aloud
- Kinesthetic triggers such as practicing psychomotor skills
Editor's note: The above excerpt is from the online course "Nursing CE Series: Successful Strategies for Training Your Nursing Staff." For more information on this and other courses in our library, go to http://www.hcprofessor.com.
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Keep your organization’s info secure: avoid physical vulnerabilities
Many healthcare providers make a point to upgrade antivirus software and properly set up servers and firewalls. However, although taking these security measures is important, don't neglect basic physical security requirements in the process. Physical vulnerabilities can pose just as much-or perhaps more-of a threat to your organization.
Common problems include the following:
- Failing to promptly shred confidential documents
- Leaving protected health information out in the open
- Failing to secure laptops, other portable devices, and paper charts when working remotely
- Failing to scrutinize visitors closely enough
To get more information, go to Briefings on HIPAA (BOH). For the cost of just three stories, you can get the entire May issue of BOH. Click here to choose between the PDF and HTML versions for just $30. Subscribers to the online version of BOH have free access to this article. Subscribers to the print newsletter can find this article in their May issue.
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