Current Information and Communication Technologies

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Week 4 discussion
Current Information and Communication Technologies
With so much attention focused on health care reform, it is important that nurses be given the opportunity to use high-quality technology tools. These tools can increase access to vital medical information, promote effective communication among health care professionals, and improve the patient experience. By actively seeking out and adopting these tools, nurses can greatly enhance the quality and safety of care that they provide. NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing & Healthcare Through Information Technology Discussion Papers.
This Discussion focuses on identifying quality technology tools that increase the ability of nurses to provide safe, effective care.
To prepare:
Review the various technology tools described in this week’s Learning Resources.
Identify a recently adopted information, education, or communication technology tool in your specialty area. Reflect on how it is used and how its use impacts the quality of care.
Consider how your identified technology tool might impact nursing practice if it were more widely used. What are some barriers preventing increased usage? How could wider implementation be facilitated?
By Day 3
Post a description of a current or new information, education, or communication technology tool that is being used in your specialty area and assess its impact on the quality of care. Highlight the effect that increased use of this technology would have on nursing practice and discuss the barriers that are slowing or hindering its adoption. Summarize how adoption of the technology tool could be facilitated.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.
By Day 6
Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days using one or more of the following approaches:
Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence or research.
Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.
Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library. NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing & Healthcare Through Information Technology Discussion Papers
Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.
Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.
Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.

Standardized Coding Systems

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Week 3 discussion
Standardized Coding Systems
As a result of the fragmented nature of the health care system, professionals in various specialty areas of medicine have developed their own unique sets of terminology to communicate within that specialty. In the past, limited attention has been given to codifying practices in order for them to be understood and utilized across disciplines or through different information technology systems. The implementation of a federally mandated electronic medical records system, therefore, poses a challenge to nursing professionals and others who must be prepared to utilize standardized codes for the new system. Why are coding standards important for promoting consistent, high-quality care?
According to Rutherford (2008, para. 15), “Improved communication with other nurses, health care professionals, and administrators of the institution in which nurses work is a key benefit of using a standardized nursing language.” In this Discussion you consider the reasoning behind and the value of standardized codification. NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing & Healthcare Through Information Technology Discussion Papers.
To prepare:
Review the information in Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice. Determine which set of terminologies are appropriate for your specialty or area of expertise.
Reflect on the importance of continuity in terminology and coding systems.
In the article, “Standardized Nursing Language: What Does It Mean for Nursing Practice?” the author recounts a visit to a local hospital to view its implementation of a new coding system. One of the nurses commented to her, “We document our care using standardized nursing languages but we don’t fully understand why we do” (Rutherford, 2008, para. 1). Consider how you would inform this nurse (and others like her) of the importance of standardized nursing terminologies.
Reflect on the value of using a standard language in nursing practice. Consider if standardization can be limited to a specialty area or if one standard language is needed across all nursing practice. Then, identify examples of standardization in your own specialty or area of expertise. Conduct additional research using the Walden Library that supports your thoughts on standardization of nursing terminology.
By Day 3
Post an explanation of why nurses need to document care using standardized nursing languages and whether this standardization can be limited to specialty areas or if it should be across all nursing practice. Support your response using specific examples from your own specialty or area of expertise and using at least one additional resource from the Walden Library. NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing & Healthcare Through Information Technology Discussion Papers
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.
By Day 6
Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days using one or more of the following approaches:
Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence or research.
Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.
Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.
Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.
Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.
Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.

Discuss the significance of blood pressure.

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Discussion
Write a 2-3 page APA formatted paper (not including cover sheet or reference page) utilizing a minimum of three resources based on the case scenario below.
You may opt to do a power point presentation or Prezi with a minimum of 10 – 15 slides (not including cover sheet or reference slide) instead of the written paper.
Scenario: A gravida two, para-one 34 year old woman comes into the office for pre-natal care. She is 28 weeks pregnant. Her blood pressure is 160/90 with a weight of 220 lbs and a height of 5’1. Her previous blood pressure at her visit 4 weeks ago was 122/ 78. Her previous weight was 210 lbs. She reports a history of gestational diabetes. Her fasting glucose is 108 with an A1C of 6.0.
What focused assessments would you expect the practical nurse to perform? What important data would need to be communicated to her health care team?
Spelling and grammar is correct throughout the presentation. APA format is consistently done and correct. All information is referenced throughout the body of the presentation. Uses a minimum of 3 credible references.
1 Discusses the significance of blood pressure. What will be reported based on this finding? What condition are you looking for? How urgent is the reporting of this problem?
2 Discusses the significance of the blood glucose finding. Outline what other focused assessments will be made based on this finding. What will be reported based on this finding? What condition are you looking for?
-Briefly discuss the common findings of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), and nursing care and management of this disorder.
-Briefly discuss the common findings of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and nursing care and management of this disorder.
-Includes SBAR report for this patient

What are the key barriers to increasing the number of primary care physicians?

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Healthcare reforms
Case Study [Objectives 5.1, 5.2, Due Monday, Value: 10 points]
· Read the following case study:
· According to the article “How to Fix the Doctor Shortage,” published in the Wall Street Journal on January 5, 2010, “the United States will face a shortage of more than 125,000 physicians in the next 15 years . . . [and] . . .at least 16,000 more primary care physicians are needed today.” A decade ago, the story reports, new patients had to wait an average of 8 days to see a family or general practitioner. The author cites criticisms of the U.S. health care workforce for lacking sufficient primary care, and notes the widespread opinion that this situation is directly related to poor reimbursement. The story goes on to say that the physician shortage is, in part, a result of expectations that managed care and primary care would greatly reduce the need for physicians, particularly specialists. However, these expectations fell short against the rising needs of a growing aging population. Others have argued that there is no shortage of physicians and, rather, that the problem lies in the uneven distribution of physicians between rural and urban areas. Still others blame government policies that drive physicians out of the health care field and say, therefore, that government should not be counted on for the solution to the problem. Now, with health reform, whether there is an overall shortage or not, there definitely needs to be a different mix of doctors, particularly, more doctors who are trained in primary care.
 
· Write a 2-page response to the following questions:
· Is there a shortage of physicians overall, or only in key areas? If the latter, what policies might encourage more physicians to enter important fields like primary care and geriatrics?
· What are the key barriers to increasing the number of primary care physicians? Explain each.
· What policies might be used to address these issues? Explain each.
 
· Click the Submit Assignment link in the upper right corner to upload your assignment.
 
Rubric
Case Study Rubric (1)

Case Study Rubric (1)
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePaper analyzes the issue of a physician shortage and policies that might encourage more physicians to enter important fields. 2.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePaper explains the barriers to increasing the number of primary care physicians. 2.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePaper explains the policies that might be used to address these issues. 2.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePaper is 2 pages, is formatted based on APA guidelines, and includes in-text citations and a reference page. 2.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePaper meets basic writing standards including grammar, usage, spelling, punctuation, and organization. 2.0 pts
Total Points: 10.0