BIOCHEMISTRY
NURSING INFORMATICS - LAB
Nursing informatics is the use of reduce these errors and ensures
computers and information systems to accurate care.
help nurses give better care. It combines
nursing knowledge with technology to 1. Data–Information–Knowledge–
collect, record, and share health Wisdom (DIKW) Hierarchy - explains
information in an organized way. Through how nurses turn facts into good
nursing informatics, nurses can easily clinical decisions. It shows how simple
access patient records, document care, details become meaningful actions in
and communicate with other health patient care.
workers. Data are raw facts with no meaning by
themselves.
It is important because it improves patient
safety, saves time, reduces errors, and example: The patient has a blood pressure
helps nurses provide better and more of 140/95 mmHg, complains of dizziness,
organized care. and has a history of diabetes. The patient
admits skipping meals and forgetting to
First foundational theory is Information take insulin in the morning.
Theory
Information is formed when data are
Claude Shannon in 1948. organized and given meaning.
his theory explains how information is example: The blood pressure is high, and
sent from one place to another and the patient is feeling dizzy. With a history
how it can be affected by problems of diabetes and missed insulin and meals,
called noise. Noise means anything this shows that blood sugar and blood
that can interfere with the message pressure may not be well controlled at this
and cause it to be misunderstood or time.
changed.
In nursing informatics, this theory is Knowledge develops when nurses
important because patient understand this information using
information must be shared clearly their education and experience.
and correctly. If information is
incomplete, unclear, or entered example: Nurses know that missing insulin
wrongly, it can affect patient care. and meals can cause changes in blood
Example: sugar levels, leading to dizziness and
When a nurse enters a patient’s vital weakness. Poor control of diabetes can
signs into a computer system, errors also affect blood pressure and increase the
like poor handwriting, wrong data risk of complications.
entry, or system problems can act as
noise. This may lead to incorrect Wisdom is the highest level. It is using
information being seen by other knowledge to make the right nursing
healthcare workers. Using clear decision.
records and reliable systems helps
Page | 1
BIOCHEMISTRY
NURSING INFORMATICS - LAB
example: The nurse checks blood sugar Training so nurses understand how to
levels, gives insulin as ordered, and use it well
monitors vital signs closely. The nurse also Workflow integration so it fits into
teaches the patient the importance of daily nursing tasks
regular meals and taking insulin on time, Good communication between
and reports any abnormal findings to the nurses, IT staff, and leaders
Teamwork from different health
healthcare provider.
professionals
This framework reflects the nursing
process: example:
A new charting system will fail if nurses
Assessment – collecting data are not trained or if it slows down their
work.
Diagnosis – turning data into
information
4. Systems Theory - Systems Theory
Planning and Implementation – using helps us see healthcare as a
knowledge connected system. Every part affects
the other.
Evaluation – applying wisdom to
improve care example:
When a hospital uses a new electronic
2. Cognitive Informatics Theory - focuses chart:
on how nurses think, reason, and
make decisions while giving care. It Documentation time may increase
explains that health systems should Nurses may have less time for patients
help nurses, not make their work Communication with doctors may
harder. change
Patient safety may be affected at first
example: A system that reminds a nurse
to give medicine on time and warns about Systems Theory helps nurses and leaders
allergies helps reduce mistakes and stress. prepare for these changes and plan ahead.
This theory guides system designers to 5. Practical Models: IPO Model - The
create tools that support memory, Input-Process-Output (IPO) Model
focus, and decision-making, instead of shows how information flows in
overwhelming nurses. nursing.
3. Sociotechnical Theory - explains that Input: Patient data like vital signs,
technology does not work alone. It symptoms, and lab results
must fit with people, teamwork, and Process: Nursing assessment and
the work environment. thinking
Output: Care plans, actions, and
For technology to succeed, it needs: documentation
Page | 2
BIOCHEMISTRY
NURSING INFORMATICS - LAB
example: information system is truly successful
A nurse checks vital signs (input), analyzes by looking at:
them (process), then updates the care
plan (output). System Quality – Is the system fast,
stable, and reliable?
6. Information Lifecycle Model - This Information Quality – Is the
model explains how patient data is information correct, complete, and
handled from start to end: updated?
User Satisfaction – Are nurses happy
Creation – Data is entered during using the system?
assessment System Use – Are nurses actually
Storage – Data is saved safely using it as intended?
Use – Data is used to make care Net Benefits – Does it improve patient
decisions safety, care quality, and hospital
Sharing – Data is shared with the work?
healthcare team
Archival – Data is stored long-term These models remind us that technology is
Deletion – Data is safely removed only useful if it supports nurses and helps
when no longer needed patients
Understanding this helps protect privacy,
confidentiality, and patient safety.
7. Technology Acceptance Model
(TAM)- The Technology Acceptance
Model (TAM) explains why nurses
choose to use or not use a health
system. It focuses on two main things:
Perceived Usefulness – Nurses will
use a system if it helps them do their
job better and improves patient care.
Perceived Ease of Use – Nurses are
more likely to use a system if it is easy
to understand and not confusing or
time-consuming.
If a system is helpful and easy to use,
nurses will accept and use it in daily
practice.
8. DeLone and McLean IS Success Model
- This model checks if a health
Page | 3