Nursing Informatics

Nursing has shifted to a world of electronic documentation to help with continuity of care and proper storage of important patient information. Nurses document a large portion of the care they administer electronically. Writing everything down on a piece of paper and placing it somewhere on the patient chart has given way to standardized electronic documentation. All information entered into the electronic record is stored so that physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and patients can view the information to make sure all aspects of care are consistent and fluent.

Patients and families may see their nurse or other healthcare workers in their room or at the nurses’ station on the computer. This is how hospital staff ensure all information regarding their patients’ care is being documented and stored for future use. The ability for the nurses to chart electronically allows for quicker access to information by physicians so they can review lab work or x-ray reports electronically and be able to make decisions on care. The world of nursing is evolving and with that so must nursing practices.

Electronic documentation is just one such change that allows for greater flexibility, continuity, timeliness, and accuracy of care for all patients at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.