NRS 514 Topic 8: Interprofessionalism and Interrelationships in Informatics and Information Systems

NRS 514 Topic 8: Interprofessionalism and Interrelationships in Informatics and Information Systems

Discussion question 1: Open and clear communication is critical for the effective functioning of the interprofessional team and the delivery of safe patient care. Discuss the way communication technologies can enhance coordination of care by interprofessional teams. Be sure to discuss a specific communication technology in your response. 1-2 references

NRS 514 Topic 8: Interprofessionalism and Interrelationships in Informatics and Information Systems

Discussion question 2: Virtual care and telehealth technologies have the capability to greatly expand access to quality health care. Discuss some benefits and drawbacks of virtual care/telehealth, particularly related to the collaboration and coordination of care and the role of the advanced registered nurse. NRS 514 Topic 8: Interprofessionalism and Interrelationships in Informatics and Information Systems

1-2 references

Interprofessionalism and Interrelationships in Informatics and Information Systems Sample Solutions

Question 1: How communication technologies enhances coordination of care by interprofessional teams.

            Telecommunication technologies in the healthcare setting is critical for interprofessional to coordinate the care of patients. Interprofessional care works to give patients comprehensive healthcare services by multiple health professionals who work collaboratively to provide quality care. In primary care, care coordination is deliberately carried out through sharing of information and organizing care-related activities to produce safer and quality care for patients. 

           Communication technologies are critical in the provision of quality care due to heightened safety, effectiveness, and efficiency. Communication technology promotes patient-centered care by fostering communication between healthcare givers and patients. Through technology, patients can communicate with physicians, and nurses through platforms such as online portals and text messaging (Barr et al., 2017 NRS 514 Topic 8: Interprofessionalism and Interrelationships in Informatics and Information Systems). Besides, communication technologies in the healthcare setting promote interprofessional collaboration. Further, enhanced access to online patient information guarantees better patient intervention and management. The inter-collaboration between caregivers through technology enhances patient outcomes. 

One of the communication technologies that enhances coordination of care by interprofessional teams in health industry is the Computerized Patient Record System –CPRS. I choose CPRS because it addresses the most critical functional areas of nursing informatics such as leadership, administration, communication, coordination, and management.

In the past, healthcare facilities have struggled with the issue of the lack of an effective patient record system. The healthcare system in America, for example, suffers the burden of non-improvement in patient records. The Computerized Patient Record System, CPRS, is one of the promising nursing technology projects that seek to uplift and evolve patient records using advanced nursing technology. The CPRS is a nursing electronic system specifically designed to help nurses or other users to access complete and accurate patient information/data from an integrated record system (Ganann et al., 2019). The system provides clinicians, researchers, nurses, physicians, and support staff with an integrated system from where they can gain access to patient information and make better decisions. 

           CPRS is a computer application developed by the Veterans Affairs-VA based on the VistA technology and architecture. The major function of CPRS is to avail easy access of patient information to an array of healthcare workers from an integrated system. Besides, the CPRS aids nurses and other healthcare workers to review and scrutinize patient data with the view of creating effective clinical decisions (Ganann et al., 2019 NRS 514 Topic 8: Interprofessionalism and Interrelationships in Informatics and Information Systems). The provision of quality care to patients starts with accurate, and timely collection of patient information. Inaccurate or untimely delivery of patient data directly affects the quality of care given to patients and the overall patient outcomes. Patient data is capable of affecting the efficiency of care, the treatment plans and patient diagnoses, and the implementation of appropriate care delivery. NRS 514 Topic 8: Interprofessionalism and Interrelationships in Informatics and Information Systems

References

  • Barr, N., Vania, D., Randall, G., & Mulvale, G. (2017). Impact of information and communication technology on interprofessional collaboration for chronic disease management: a systematic review. Journal of health services research & policy, 22(4), 250-257. https://doi.org/10.1177/1355819617714292
  • Ganann, R., Weeres, A., Lam, A., Chung, H., & Valaitis, R. (2019). Optimization of home care nurses in Canada: A scoping review. Health & Social Care In The Community, 27(5), e604-e621. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12797

Question 2: Benefits and Drawbacks of Telehealth in relation to the Collaboration and Coordination of Care and the role of the ARN.

 In relation to collaboration and coordination, there are numerous advantages that Advanced Registered Nurses (ARNs) derive from Telehealth to provide quality care. Telehealth provides ARNs with the remote patient monitoring functionality RPM. ARNs can remotely monitor the vital sins of their patients or other physical changes in the body such as weight and color of the skin. When an ARN detects adverse changes in their patients, they can send the same information to physicians to give guidance and discuss the way forward. With RPM Technology, ARNs and other primary caregivers can collaborate and intervene instead of waiting for a patient to bring themselves to the hospital. 

Another advantage of Telehealth technology to ARNs is that it is convenient and time-saving. ARNs, like many nurses, have limited time but many patients to attend to which means time is of the essence for them. Telehealth technology helps to save time for ARNs. For example, instead of personally checking into a hospital, patients can simply seek guidance from their nurse through their virtual communication app (Lopez et al., 2019 NRS 514 Topic 8: Interprofessionalism and Interrelationships in Informatics and Information Systems). Besides, Telehealth cuts the rate of hospital admissions which means ARNs are not overwhelmed. Instead of hospital admission, ARNs liaise with doctors and other caregivers to offer remote help to the patient. For example, after consulting with other primary caregivers, the patient may be advised to purchase certain medication from a pharmacy as a way of intervention.  NRS 514 Topic 8: Interprofessionalism and Interrelationships in Informatics and Information Systems

The biggest disadvantage of Telehealth to ARNs is that it is limited compared to personal visits to the hospital by patients. There are many checks that ARNs would like to do to/with their patients regarding their health. However, Telehealth does not permit in-person physical examination of patients to allow for exhaustive and extensive medical examination. Any treatment plan chosen by physicians and nurses relies on the diagnosis of a patient (Pogorzelska-Maziarz et al., 2019). Thus, without physical examination, nurses may not correctly or sufficiently diagnose their patients. Improper/insufficient diagnoses adversely affect the treatment plan chosen for patients. Besides, technology often has glitches that may render the communication between ARNs and their patients ineffective. Glitches may impact negatively on the quality of care provided to patients due to miscommunication. NRS 514 Topic 8: Interprofessionalism and Interrelationships in Informatics and Information Systems

References

  • Lopez, J. J., Svetanoff, W. J., Rosen, J. M., Carrasco, A., Rentea, R. M., & Comprehensive Colorectal Center. (2021). Leveraging Collaboration in Pediatric Multidisciplinary Colorectal Care Using a Telehealth Platform. The American Surgeon. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F00031348211023428
  • Pogorzelska-Maziarz, M., Rising, K. L., Gentsch, A. T., Traczuk, A., Hsiao, T., Amadio, G., Haddad, T. & Gerolamo, A. M. (2021). Home healthcare patient, caregiver and provider perspectives on use of unscheduled acute care and the usability and acceptability of on-demand telehealth solutions. Geriatric Nursing, 42(5), 1029-1034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.06.009

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