Clinical Informatics
Clinical informatics help to improve patient care and maintain safety in surgical settings, as they allow for healthcare workers to address important (Zhao et al., 2020). First off is the challenge of storing and sharing patient information. Electronic health records address this challenge: they grant access to patient data, so that Cody can quickly retrieve the patients medical history, such as allergies, previous surgical outcomes, etc. This access is immediate and therefore it reduces the risk of some medical errors from happening since it supports quick and informed decision-making throughout the surgery (Zhao et al., 2020).
Preoperative checklists and decision support systems are other informatics tools that support patient safety: they provide real-time alerts regarding necessary preoperative preparations, such as administering antibiotics or confirming patient consent, so that all necessary steps are completed before surgery begins. Then, during surgery, tools like advanced monitoring systems track vital signs, which supports immediate intervention if any abnormalities are seen. These systems can be integrated with EHRs, too, so that there is continuous documentation of patient status and a flow of information from the operating room to the post-anesthesia care unit (Nanji et al., 2022).
In the PACU, informatics tools support patient recovery with standardized protocols and automated reminders regarding pain management and wound care. Likewise, communication platforms are integrated with informatics to help keep families in the loop. Automated updates and messaging systems would allow Cody to communicate with families.
Overall, these tools and systems are important because they bring technology in to help meet the needs of healthcare workers, patients, and their familieswith the goal being to improve the quality and safety of care. Information access is streamlined and bolstered, communication flowing, and satisfaction the main result.
References
Nanji, K. C., Garabedian, P. M., Langlieb, M. E., Rui, A., Tabayoyong, L. L., Sampson, M., ... &
Bates, D. W. (2022). Usability of a perioperative medication-related clinical decision support software application: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association,29(8), 1416-1424.
Zhao, J., Forsythe, R., Langerman, A., Melton, G. B., Schneider, D. F., & Jackson, G. P. (2020).
The value of the surgeon informatician.Journal of Surgical Research,252, 264-271.
