HEALTH
INFORMATICS
MS. ANISHA VADAKKEPATT
ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
HEALTH INFORMATICS
Is the “use of information and technology
to communicate, manage knowledge,
mitigate error, and support decision
making.”
(QSEN, 2003)
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT & INFORMATION SYSTEM
Addresses the entire major functional
areas of modern multi-specialty HOSPITAL INFORMATION
hospitals. SYSTEM (HIS)
It enables improved patient care, patient CLINICAL INFORMATION
safety, efficiency, and reduced costs. SYSTEM (CIS)
It provides easy access to critical NURSING INFORMATION
information, enabling better timely SYSTEM (NIS)
decision-making.
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
Nursing Informatics: The Emerging
Field
"In all health care organizations,
nursing is the hub of the information flow. Developing the science and
technology of nursing informatics will enhance the
information available to nurses for clinical practice, management, educat
ion and research and will facilitate the role of nurses as communicators."
Patricia F. Brennan (1996), American Medical Informatics Association
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
OBJECTIVES OF HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Effective
Provides
stock or
quality
inventory
care
management
Better Constructive
administrative financial
control management
Integrates Refines inter-
hospital personal
services relationships
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
CORE CONCEPTS OF THE HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Patient Pharmacy OT
management management management
Bed Material Treatment
management management management
Ward Pathology Consultant
management management management
Nursing Radiology Billing
management management management
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
BENEFITS OF THE HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Better
interaction
Time between
patient and
saving service
Instant Streamlined provider
search coding and Better
billing storage
Secured Maintains Efficienc
confidentiality y in
records
business
Easy
Aids in access
research
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
NEED OF HEALTH INFORMATICS
To improve patient care
To produce information of the patients
To enhance easy access to the patient information
To manage information of the patient
To respect patient privacy and patient safety
To assist in effective decision making
To detect and control emerging and endemic health issues using the data.
To monitor progress towards the achievement of goals.
To enhance interoperability.
To strengthen the evidence base for making effective policies
To improve the communication between the healthcare providers
To provide standardized patient care
To ANISHA
evaluate theACADEMICIAN
VADAKKEPATT, healthcare system
IN NURSING
BENEFITS OF HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS….
Healthcare informatics is seen as a
potential method for improving the
delivery of quality health care by:
Providing up-to-the-minute, real-time
information about a patient’s
condition necessary for decision-
making.
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
BENEFITS OF HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS….
Minimizing errors with an
electronic health record (EHR) that
uses computerized functions such
as:
Barcoding
EHR Medication Reconciliation
Computerized health care provider
order entry
Patient care alerts/reminders
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
BENEFITS OF HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS….
Promoting “meaningful” use of electronic health
record (EHR) technology to:
Improve the quality of health care through the
electronic exchange of health information
Provide and engage patients and families via access to
personal health information via “portals”
Improve care coordination
Improve population and public health
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
BENEFITS OF HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS…
Likewise, the use of social media
technology creates possible opportunities
for patient-provider exchanges (thru
texting, email, or other venues) but raises
new concerns regarding documentation
and confidentiality
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY ARE NOT THE SAME!
PRIVACY: relates to the patient’s right to
dignity & respect and for personal info. to be
held private
CONFIDENTIALITY: is the disclosure of
information with the patient’s consent for
health care purposes or when legally required
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
ISSUES SURROUNDING ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS…
While the use of EHRs can greatly
enhance patient care decisions and safety,
the portability of health information and
sharing of electronic data create potential
risks to privacy and confidentiality.
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
HISTORICALLY…
Issues of confidentiality and privacy in
nursing are not new…
Florence Nightingale is considered the
founder of modern day nursing…
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
NIGHTINGALE PLEDGE
Beginning in 1893, nurses citing the
Nightingale Pledge promised to:
“Hold in confidence all personal
matters committed to my keeping and
all family affairs coming to my
knowledge…”
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
LIMITATIONS OF HEALTH INFORMATICS
Non-uniform Cumbersome
Data privacy Data safety
data cloud set-up
Potential for
Resist to change Expensive Infrastructure
hacking
Socio-economic
Inadequate Not user- Over-
information is
warehouses friendly dependence
not emphasized
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
EHR: ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS
Professionally, nurses have an ethical
and legal obligation to maintain
patient privacy and confidentiality.
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
With the advent of electronic health data,
Congress in 1996 enacted HIPAA, which
stands for the:
Health
Insurance
Portability and
Accountability
Act
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
HIPAA
HIPAA in short, is a set of rules for hospitals and health care
providers to ensure that medical records, medical billing, and
patient accounts meet certain consistent standards for handling,
documentation, and privacy.
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
HIPAA: PRIVACY RULE
The HIPAA “Privacy Rule” was enacted in 2003 to establish
standards for the protection and disclosure of patient health
information, specifically:
Defines identifiable protected health information (PHI), including patient
identifiers like a person’s name, birthdate, picture, medical diagnoses,
address, social security number, etc.
Stipulates how this information may be used, by whom, and under what
circumstances.
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
HIPPA: PRIVACY RULE
There are 18 patient identifiers. Google “18 patient identifiers” to see the
list of identifiers that must be protected.
Be aware that health information without identifiers is not considered
protected health information (PHI).
For example, a set of vital signs is not protected. However, when the vital
signs are accompanied by a name or medical record number, then they must
be protected.
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
18 PATIENT IDENTIFIERS • Account number
• Certificate or license number
•Name
•Address (all geographic subdivisions smaller • Vehicle identifiers and serial numbers,
than state, including street address, city including license plate numbers
county, and zip code)
•All elements (except years) of dates related • Device identifiers and serial numbers
to an individual (including birthdate, • Web URL
admission date, discharge date, date of death,
• Internet Protocol (IP) Address
and exact age if over 89)
•Telephone numbers • Finger or voice print
•Fax number
• Photographic image - Photographic images are
•Email address
•Social Security Number not limited to images of the face.
•Medical record number • Any other characteristic that could uniquely
•Health plan beneficiary number
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
identify the individual
CONSEQUENCES
Health care providers are required to adhere to HIPAA
regulations and abide by employer policies which may be
stricter…
Failure to do so can result in a reprimand, sanction, fine, or
loss of licensure by the government or state board of nursing
and/or loss of employment by the employer, depending on the
circumstances…
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
KNOW THE FACTS VS. MYTHS
Following are common myths about HIPAA:
HIPAA prohibits discussions of a patient’s condition over the phone with a doctor or
family member
HIPAA prevents nurses and doctors from discussing a patient’s condition or treatment
in a semi-private room with the curtain pulled
HIPAA prohibits displaying patient care signs like “fall risk” or diabetic diet” at the
door of the hospital room or bedside
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
KNOW FACTS VS. MYTHS
Common myths (continued):
HIPAA does not allow leaving messages for patients at their homes, on
an answering machine, or with a family member
HIPAA prohibits leaving patients’ charts at the bedside or outside
patients’ rooms
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
PATIENT AUTHORIZATION:
Patient authorization for disclosure is not needed in
situations where:
Laws require reporting of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
Example: child abuse
Disclosure of information is needed to facilitate organ donation
Example: kidney donation
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
PATIENT AUTHORIZATION:
Patient authorization for disclosure is not needed in
situations where:
Laws require reporting of information for preventing or controlling
illnesses, communicable diseases, injury, or disability
Examples: HIV, Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Disclosure may lessen a serious threat to a person or the public
Example: Workplace violence
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
TECHNOLOGY EXPLOSION:
In addition to safeguarding information on the electronic health
record (EHR), professional responsibilities include appropriate
use of health care technology via social media
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
KNOW AND FOLLOW THESE TIPS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA USE!
Both the American Nurses’ Association (ANA) and the National Council of
State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) have combined to publish principles and
tips for social networking.
Additionally, know the Social Media Policy for your employer or nursing
program.
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
PRINCIPLES AND TIPS:
In general, principles and tips from the ANA and NCSBN
include:
1. Don’t share or post information or photos of patients
2. Maintain professional boundaries with patients
3. Do not post comments about employers, co-workers, even if names
are omitted
4. Do not take photos or videos of patients on cell phones or devices
5. Report breaches in confidentiality or privacy
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
PRINCIPLES AND TIPS:
Principles and tips (cont’d):
1. Be mindful that posted content you believe is private and
accessible can be disseminated to others
2. Be aware that content deleted from a site may still be
accessible or recoverable
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
CONSEQUENCES….
To learn more about professional responsibilities and the possible
consequences for breaches in privacy or confidentiality…..
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Additionally, be mindful of boundary violations with
patients!
Contact with patients and former patients (via electronic
or cellular contacts) outside of work settings blurs the
distinction between professional and personal
relationships and should be avoided.
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS: PROFESSIONAL
RELATIONSHIPS
Negative online posts about co-workers (such as bullying or
intimidation) can constitute lateral violence, are inappropriate, and can
have professional consequences
Likewise, online posts about employers or work conditions has raised
issues over freedom of speech versus libel or defamation
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
PROMOTING A PROFESSIONAL IMAGE:
Lastly, be aware that others (including nursing
employers) may use social media to screen potential
applicants for hiring…
While many states are enacting laws to prevent
employers from demanding access (i.e., passwords) to
personal social media accounts, consider carefully what
you post and how it reflects on your professional image!
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
SOCIAL MEDIA
Knowing the benefits and risks of associated
with electronic health records and internet
technology can help you chart a course that
utilizes electronic resources appropriately
and professionally!
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
THANK YOU
ANISHA VADAKKEPATT, ACADEMICIAN IN NURSING
