Using Systems Thinking to Implement the QSEN Informatics Competency

Abstract

There is an urgent need to improve the use and usability of the electronic health record (EHR) in health care to prevent undue patient harm. Professional development educators can use systems thinking and the QSEN competency, Informatics, to educate nurses about such things as nurse-sensitive indicators in preventing medical errors. This article presents teaching tips in using systems thinking to champion communication technologies that support error prevention (betterment). [ J Contin Educ Nurs. 2019;50(9):392–397.]

Academic Electronic Health Record in Mental Health Clinical

“…1 With the adoption of the EHR, practitioners can now coordinate patient care and integrate a collaborative system, allowing providers to access data from all aspects of the patient's medical profile. 2,3 The transition to an electronic-based documentation system has resulted in positive changes, including improved communication, reduction in medication errors, and improvements in patient safety 4,5 The use of information technology in healthcare documentation is now an essential component of clinical practice 6 and provides the opportunity to assess patient care from information gathered in the clinical record. 7 At the front line of healthcare, nurses play a critical role in the collection and documentation of patient data within EHR systems, making the competent use of electronic health systems essential.…”

“…The ability to practice documentation skills increases critical thinking and problem solving, thus assisting graduate nurses in being workforce ready 9,11 . Additionally, the integration of nursing informatics into curriculum is supported by professional nursing organizations, such as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and included as one of the competencies in the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses initiative 2,5,11 …”

“…9,11 Additionally, the integration of nursing informatics into curriculum is supported by professional nursing organizations, such as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and included as one of the competencies in the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses initiative. 2,5,11 Nurse educators are challenged to find ways to incorporate relevant content that is transferable from classroom to the clinical area. 10 Although faculty agree that use of an academic EMR (AEMR) would enhance nursing education, adoption of this technology continues to be slow.…”

Concept Analysis of Systems Thinking in the Context of Interprofessional Practice and Improved Patient Outcomes

“…A focus for the members of the International Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) Institute Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) Task Force is the use of ST in the cultivation of QSEN (2020) competencies. Dolansky and Moore (2013) and Phillips et al (2019) described the necessity of using ST to apply the six QSEN competencies: patient-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice, safety, quality improvement, and informatics.…”