Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R L Simpson.
The Nursing Information and Data Set Evalution Center, established by the American Nurses Association, recently published the criteria by which it evaluates information systems that support nursing practice documentation. This article focuses on two of the four dimensions of nursing data sets and the systems that contain them: nomenclature and clinical content.
The Nursing Information and Data Set Evaluation Center (NIDSEC), established by the American Nurses Association (ANA), recently published the criteria by which it evaluates information systems that support nursing practice documentation. These criteria include nomenclature, clinical content, clinical data repository and general system characteristics. This article focuses on two of the four dimensions of nursing data sets and the systems that contain them: clinical data repository and general system characteristics.
The new millennium. It means many things for many people, from astrologers to information technology (IT) professionals. But the latter, especially those in health care, have good reason to be concerned. Because for the majority of computer systems, January 1,2000, marks both the beginning of a new decade and total system chaos.
CONTEXT: Premenstrual syndrome is believed to affect 30% to 80% of women. Studies in various cultures have used a variety of methodologies to determine prevalence, symptom profile, and effectiveness of available treatments. This study was designed to provide information on incidence of PMS and therapies used based on a national probability sample of US women. METHOD: In 1996 a national probability sample (N = 1052) of women aged 21 to 64 years was surveyed by telephone using random digit dial methods. The survey included demographic information, questions concerning respondent knowledge of premenstrual syndrome, incidence rates of common premenstrual syndrome symptoms, and any remedies that were used to control the symptoms. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of the women responded "yes" to the question, "Do you suffer from premenstrual syndrome?" An additional 17% indicated that they experienced symptoms prior to their menstrual cycle that are commonly associated with premenstrual syndrome (e.g., pain, bloating, feeling more emotional, weight gain, food cravings), though without associating these symptoms with premenstrual syndrome explicity. The most frequently noted severe symptom was that of "[feeling] more emotional." Of those reporting premenstrual syndrome symptoms, approximately 42% took either prescription or over-the-counter medications to relieve them. Eighty percent of the women taking any type of medication relied on over-the-counter medications. Prescription drug use for premenstrual syndrome symptoms focused on medications to control pain; hormone supplements were the second most frequently prescribed rugs. Fewer than 3% of the respondents used prescription medications. Respondents were asked to indicate whether they had used a complementary medical therapy to control symptoms. Exercise was used most frequently (18%), and acupuncture was the least frequently used. Although only a small percentage of women used complementary therapies, for most of these therapies a near-perfect concordance was found between usage and belief in efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Women were aware of symptoms related to premenstrual syndrome more frequently than they recognized a formalized medical syndrome. Less than half of the women reporting symptoms had taken either over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Those who tried complementary therapies generally found them to be effective.
Nurses and physicians practice and think differently and, as a result, the information systems they use are different. But managed care and the things it brings with it--care teams, cost control, outcomes management and the move from a "Medical Model" to a "Wellness Model"--is closing the gap between the two. This article examines some of the traditional differences between the two disciplines and the problems these differences present, as well as shared expertise, how managed care is contributing to this overlap and how information systems are evolving to support the new synergies.
The total quality organization of the nineties is rapidly giving way to the structure for the new millennium--the world-class organization (WCO)--and information technology (IT) is the foundation. This article explores how clinical information systems and IT are evolving to support several unique characteristics of the WCO.
Health care is unique among industries because of the human component involved. That fact, coupled with the unique nursing qualities--critical thinking, caring, attention to detail, accountability and the ability to direct others--makes nurses highly suited o be information system consultants. This article will discuss the health care trends driving the demand for nurse consultants, where and when their skills can be applied, the pros and cons of the entrepreneurial life and What's required to entry consulting.
In 1991, the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine defined, endorsed, and called for the implementation of the computerized patient record (CPR) by 2001. Seven years later, in 1998, health care is still arguing about what a CPR is, how it's to be implemented, and when. This article discusses the origins of the CPR and its initial development efforts. It explores the roadblocks that stalled its development and how managed care may have jump-started the process. Finally, it explains current CPR development efforts and what's on the horizon.
In health care, the only constant is change. Increasingly, information technology (IT) is becoming the primary means by which health care organizations manage the constant volatility they face. This article delineates several managed care trends driving the move to open systems and increased technologic flexibility. Changing models of care are creating a new breed of interdisciplinary, interoperable, and outcomes-focused clinical information systems.
Here's an explanation of what the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice is and a description of the environment and issues that compelled its recent effort, a report on the state of nursing informatics. The report set forth specific goals for expanding the use of informatics in nursing education and practice.
The National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP), which advises the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, recently published a report on the state of nursing informatics. Part 2 of this two-part series offers a definition of nursing informatics and nursing's role in furthering it, details the current state of nursing informatics education/training, and delineates key goals.
Managed care's focus on patient-centered care has made the need for point-of-care (POC) clinical systems more critical than ever. This article examines some of the more common POC options available, explains what nurses need to know to choose among them, and suggests ways to ensure that nursing's needs are addressed in the selection process.
Telehealth enables nurses to practice across state lines, but it also raises the critical issue of multistate licensure. This article explores nurses involvement in telehealth and the multistate licensure discussion--key issues, developments, players, and models currently being considered by states.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Technology advances transform the staff nurses' work processes. Most importantly, however, they provide the potential to help nurses do what they've always wanted to do--spend more time with the patient, delivering nursing care. The nurse who has the tablet personal computer or "cart" computer right at hand can capture all the information that needs to be captured. Thus, the nurse executive has a greater body of automated information and data upon which to make managerial decisions.
As the year 2000 approaches, we see it as a time filled with great promise. Our computer sees it as the year 1900. Systems will begin to fail as date-sensitive materials start to clog the works. Are existing lines of code being rewritten or is a new calculator-application being plugged into your computer system to handle the situation?
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