The scenario I have chosen to discuss involves the utilization of data to improve patient outcomes in a hospital setting. Specifically, the focus of this scenario is to analyze the effectiveness of a new medication in the treatment of cardiovascular disease in a diverse patient population. The data that could be used for this scenario includes patient demographics, medical history, medication adherence, laboratory results, and clinical outcomes.
To collect and access the data, various methods can be utilized. Patient demographics and medical history can be obtained through electronic health records (EHRs), which are digital versions of a patient’s paper chart. These EHRs can be accessed by authorized healthcare professionals within the hospital system and can provide a comprehensive view of the patient’s medical background. Medication adherence can be monitored through medication dispensing systems, such as automated pill dispensers, which can track when a patient takes their medication. Laboratory results can be obtained from the hospital’s laboratory system, which stores and manages all the laboratory data for patients. Lastly, clinical outcomes can be measured by tracking the patients’ progress through regular follow-up visits and analyzing any changes in their health status.
By analyzing this data, various knowledge can be derived. Firstly, the data can provide insights into the effectiveness of the new medication in different patient populations. For example, by comparing the clinical outcomes of patients with different demographics (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity), it can be determined if the medication works better for certain groups of patients. Additionally, the data can reveal patterns regarding medication adherence. For instance, if a significant number of patients are not taking the medication as prescribed, it can indicate the need for additional interventions, such as patient education or reminders, to improve adherence rates. Furthermore, the data can help identify any adverse effects of the medication, allowing healthcare professionals to make informed decisions about its usage.
In the formation of knowledge from this experience, nurse leaders would employ clinical reasoning and judgement. Clinical reasoning is the cognitive process that nurses use to gather and analyze patient information, make sense of the data, and identify appropriate nursing actions. In this scenario, nurse leaders would utilize clinical reasoning skills to critically analyze the collected data and identify any trends or patterns. For example, they may notice that certain patient populations have higher rates of medication non-adherence or are more prone to experiencing adverse effects. Based on this analysis, nurse leaders can develop targeted interventions or recommend adjustments to the medication regimen to optimize patient outcomes.
Furthermore, nurse leaders would also employ clinical judgement in the formation of knowledge. Clinical judgement involves the synthesis of information, experience, and intuition to make decisions in complex situations. In this scenario, nurse leaders may encounter situations where the available data may not provide a clear answer or when there are conflicting findings. In such instances, they would rely on their expertise and experience to make informed decisions. For example, if the data suggests that the new medication is not effective in a specific patient population, but the nurse leader believes that there may be confounding variables impacting the results, they may decide to conduct further investigations or seek additional input from other healthcare professionals before drawing conclusions.
In conclusion, the scenario discussed here highlights the importance of access to data in facilitating problem-solving and knowledge formation. By utilizing data, healthcare professionals can analyze the effectiveness of a new medication in a diverse patient population and make informed decisions to optimize patient outcomes. Nurse leaders play a crucial role in this process by employing clinical reasoning and judgement to analyze the data and develop evidence-based interventions. By harnessing the power of data, healthcare organizations can enhance patient care and ultimately improve health outcomes.
References:
1. Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. (2004). Integrating Health Information and Communication Technology into Nursing Practice. Retrieved from https://www.ncbinlm.nih.gov/books/NBK20772/
2. Taniyama, T., Ohtake, Y., Asai, M., & Matsumoto, M. (2020). Clinical Reasoning of Hospital Nurses and Implications for Nursing Education. Medical Science Educator, 30(1), 369-376.
3. Thompson, CM., & Weber, J. (2015). Clinical judgment and decision-making in nursing and interprofessional healthcare. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
