NURS-6051 Walden University – Before the digital revolution, health information technology supplied very limited support for evidence-based practice. If nurses wanted to be informed about cutting-edge research,

Before the digital revolution, health information technology supplied very limited support for evidence-based practice. If nurses wanted to be informed about cutting-edge research, their best bet was to either subscribe to leading journals or make periodic trips to the library. With the establishment of research databases, however, nurses became empowered to learn about and facilitate interdisciplinary and translational research. Databases are just one example of how health information technology supports evidence-based practice.

To prepare:

• Read the following scenario from the text (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015, p. 445):

Twelve-hour shifts are problematic for patient and nurse safety, and yet hospitals continue to keep the 12-hour shift schedule. In 2004, the Institute of Medicine (Board on Health Care Services & Institute of Medicine, 2004) published a report that referred to studies as early as 1988 that discussed the negative effects of rotating shifts on intervention accuracy. Workers with 12-hour shifts realized more fatigue than workers on 8-hour shifts. In another study done in Turkey by Ilhan, Durukan, Aras, Turkcuoglu, and Aygun (2006), factors relating to increased risk for injury were age of 24 or less, less than 4 years of nursing experience, working in the surgical intensive care units, and working for more than 8 hours.

• Consider how the resources identified in the scenario above could influence an organization’s practice.
• Select an issue in your practice that is of concern to you. Using health information technology, locate at least three evidence-based practice resources that address your concern and that could possibly inform further action.

ANSWER

Health Information Technology Empowering Evidence-Based Practice: Addressing Concerns in Nursing Practice

Introduction

Health information technology has revolutionized the field of nursing by providing access to an extensive array of evidence-based practice resources. In the pre-digital era, nurses had limited avenues to stay informed about cutting-edge research, relying on journal subscriptions or visits to the library. However, with the advent of research databases and other technological advancements, nurses have become empowered to facilitate interdisciplinary and translational research. This essay aims to explore how health information technology supports evidence-based practice by discussing a scenario related to the negative effects of 12-hour shifts on patient and nurse safety. Furthermore, it will demonstrate how leveraging health information technology can help address concerns in nursing practice by locating three evidence-based practice resources related to a specific issue.

Influence of Resources on Organizational Practice

The scenario presented highlights the negative impact of 12-hour shifts on patient and nurse safety. The resources cited, such as the Institute of Medicine report and the study conducted in Turkey, provide evidence to support the concern (Flores, 2006). By utilizing health information technology, organizations can access a wealth of research and evidence-based practice resources. These resources can inform decision-making processes and facilitate the implementation of changes aimed at improving patient and nurse outcomes.

Issue of Concern: Nurse Burnout and its Impact on Patient Care

Nurse burnout has emerged as a critical issue affecting both healthcare professionals and patient care outcomes (Kelly et al., 2021). High workload, long hours, and emotional stress contribute to burnout, which can lead to decreased job satisfaction, increased turnover rates, and compromised quality of care. Addressing this issue is crucial for enhancing the well-being of nurses and promoting optimal patient outcomes.

Locating Evidence-Based Practice Resources

Health information technology offers numerous platforms and databases that can assist in locating evidence-based practice resources related to nurse burnout. Three such resources include:

PubMed: PubMed is a widely recognized and extensively used database that provides access to a vast collection of biomedical literature. By searching keywords like “nurse burnout” and “patient outcomes,” nurses can find a range of research articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. These resources can shed light on the causes, consequences, and interventions related to nurse burnout, enabling organizations to develop strategies that mitigate its impact on patient care.

Cochrane Library: Cochrane Library is a trusted source of systematic reviews and evidence summaries. Through this platform, nurses can explore interventions and strategies proven to be effective in combating nurse burnout (Stanulewicz et al., 2019). Searching for terms like “nurse burnout interventions” or “nursing staff well-being” can provide access to evidence-based guidelines and interventions that promote a healthier work environment and reduce burnout.

Nursing Professional Organizations: Many nursing professional organizations offer online resources and publications focused on evidence-based practice. Examples include the American Nurses Association (ANA), the National League for Nursing (NLN), and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. These organizations often publish position statements, research articles, and best practice guidelines related to nurse burnout and its impact on patient care. Subscribing to their newsletters or exploring their online libraries can provide valuable insights and strategies to address the concern.

Conclusion

Health information technology has revolutionized the way nurses access evidence-based practice resources, empowering them to address critical issues in their practice. By leveraging databases like PubMed and Cochrane Library, as well as utilizing resources provided by nursing professional organizations, nurses can access the latest research, guidelines, and interventions related to their concerns. In the case of nurse burnout and its impact on patient care, health information technology plays a crucial role in identifying evidence-based strategies to enhance nurse well-being and improve patient outcomes. By embracing these resources, organizations can promote evidence-based practice and foster a culture of continuous improvement, ultimately leading to better patient care and nurse satisfaction.

References

Kelly, L. A., Gee, P. M., & Butler, R. J. (2021). Impact of nurse burnout on organizational and position turnover. Nursing Outlook, 69(1), 96–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2020.06.008 

Saville, C., Dall’Ora, C., & Griffiths, P. (2020). The association between 12-hour shifts and nurses-in-charge’s perceptions of missed care and staffing adequacy: a retrospective cross-sectional observational study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 112, 103721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103721 

Stanulewicz, N., Knox, E., Narayanasamy, M., Shivji, N., Khunti, K., & Blake, H. (2019). Effectiveness of Lifestyle Health Promotion Interventions for Nurses: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010017