Information to Informatics: Sherri Evershed

Information to Informatics: Sherri Evershed

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1. What do you as a graduate level nurse need to know about information management?

I believe the most important thing to know is how to determine and evaluate if the information I read is valid, reliable, accurate, current, or bias. This is often difficult to do when using the internet, particularly when some of the articles I use for public health are current event articles. The current event may be accurate, but the writer/publisher can insert their bias and slant into the article, which then renders it only partially accurate. Another important aspect of information management I need to know is exactly that—how to manage it. That includes how to search and organize data bases, know which journals or internet articles are the most applicable to my practice and/or research, and last but not least, to integrate this knowledge into practice to improve patient outcomes and prevent diseases, such as obesity.

2. Describe what is happening related to IT in your clinical or practice setting.

I am not as informed about IT in my field of public health as I hope to become. But, I know there is the National Association for Public Health Information Technology (NAPHIT). NAPHIT’s stated purpose and goal is to provide leadership in public health information technology. They assist in selecting, evaluating and implementing IT tools in public health and encourage professional development in public health information technology. They also help coordinate efforts between state, local, national organizations. Another organization is the Public Health Data Standards Consortium (PHDSC) which is a national non-profit membership-based organization of federal, state and local health agencies and academic institutions. It supports the exchange of information technology between public health and clinical care via Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems (EHR-S). This is important for patient data such as in the case of an infectious disease outbreak (H1N1) so data can be quickly synthesized to alert the public regarding preventive measures.

3. What structured documentation, standards, and/or coded terminologies do you see within your practice setting (if none--where might they be applicable)?

Again, I am not that familiar with the specifics of the standards of IT in public health, but upon doing a little research I learned that studies have been done and are currently being done to look at effective public health information systems. Specifically, looking at how public health informatics (PHI), apply to the improved health of the community. The difference between PHI and other information technology is that public health is focused on the use of IT for disease prevention.

4. How are structured/coded clinical data useful in promoting quality patient care?

Structured data in public health is used for disease surveillance and prevention. When data follows a structured format it allows labs, hospitals, health departments to accurately determine the cause, incubation period, agent, host, treatment and prevention of disease. It facilitates public health education to the accurate target or susceptible population.