Handbook of Informatics for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals (4th Edition)
PrefaceThe original idea for this book came from the realization that there were few comprehensive sources available with practical information about computer applications and information systems in health care. From its inception this book was envisioned as a guide for nurses and other health care professionals who needed to learn how to adapt and use computer applications in the workplace. As the outline developed it became apparent that this book could also serve as an informatics text for students in the health care professions. This second edition contains updates and revisions to reflect changes that have occurred in the rapidly evolving technology and health care field since the book was first written.Each of the authors has a long-standing interest and involvement in nursing informatics. In fact, the same idea that inspired this book also led a group of nurses that included the authors to form the Tri-State Nursing Computer Network user group in 1988. This organization remains active, and has recently changed its name to Tri-State Healthcare Informatics Professionals, with an expanded focus to include other informatics professionals in addition to nurses.This book is divided into three sections. The first section, General Computer Information, reviews information common to all information systems. It assumes no prior knowledge of or experience with computers. Chapter 1 introduces the reader to the role of informatics in contemporary health care. Chapter 2 reviews basic information and terminology related to computer hardware and software. The section on the roles of various support personnel has been expanded. Chapter 3 emphasizes the importance of maintaining data integrity and suggests some practical steps to ensure current, accurate data in health care information systems. The fourth chapter addresses basic Internet use to support health care. The discussion on search tools and intranets has been expanded and content has been added on portals, e-health, and e-care. Additional information on Internet use and resources are found in the appendices at the end of the book.The second section, Health Care Information Systems, covers information and issues related to the use of computers and information systems in health care. This section bridges the gap between the theory and practice of nursing informatics. Chapter 5 covers basic information on health care information systems, including decision support and expert systems. Chapters 6 through 15 discuss all aspects of selecting, implementing, and operating these systems. Chapters 6 through 9 discuss the processes of overall and system strategic planning, system selection, implementation, and training. Chapter 8 now contains additional information on testing, system evaluation, and strategies to implement system changes after system installation. Other pertinent topics are addressed in the remaining chapters. Chapter 10 discusses information security and confidentiality; Chapter 11, system integration; and Chapter 12, the computerized patient record. Chapter 13, Regulatory and Accreditation Issues, has been updated to include a review of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and its implications for nursing informatics and health care professionals. Chapter 14 covers community health information networks and Chapter 15 covers disaster planning and recovery.Section III covers three specialty applications of computers in health care. Chapter 16 discusses ways that computers can support health care education. It now contains content on Web-based education. The title of Chapter 17 has been changed since the first edition from Telemedicine to Telehealth to reflect the growing acceptance of telehealth as a broader term. This chapter explores the growing field of telehealth, which uses computer and teleconferencing technology to provide top-quality health care to clients all over the world. Chapter 18 looks at ways that computers are increasingly being used in nursing and other health care research.Four appendices are included at the end of the book. The first three provide detailed information on getting up and running on the Internet, using the Internet to perform a job search, and Internet resources of special interest to health care professionals. The fourth appendix provides suggested answers to the case studies that are found at the end of every chapter.Each chapter contains pedagogical aids that help the readers learn and apply the information discussed. Learning objectives let the readers know what they can expect to learn from the chapter. Case studies at the end of each chapter discuss common, real-life applications, which review and reinforce the concepts presented in the chapter. Each chapter also includes a summary and list of references. The Glossary at the back of the book serves to familiarize readers with the vocabulary used in this book and in health care informatics.We recognize that health care professionals have varying degrees of computer and informatics knowledge. One of the features of this book is that it does not assume that the reader has prior knowledge of computers. All computer terms are defined in the text and in the Glossary. This book may be used the following different ways:It may be read from cover to cover for a comprehensive view of nursing informatics. Specific chapters may be read according to reader interest or need. It may serve as a reference for nurses and other clinicians involved in system design, selection, and implementation. It may be useful for the educator or researcher who wants to make better use of information technology. It can serve as a review for the American Nurses Association's Informatics Credentialing examination.Toni HebdaPatricia CzarCynthia Mascara--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.