Application of Data to Problem-Solving The nursing profession relies on data for numerous operations. The use of data is the backbone of nursing informatics. This field is mainly aimed at making sure nurses have access to the appropriate data that will help in solving healthcare problems and making decisions that are of interest to patients (Westra et al., 2015). It is also vital for adding to knowledge in the healthcare environment. The scenario of focus is a healthcare organization that suffers from poor ratings from patients. The facility has been experiencing numerous cases of medication errors. However, it lacks a formal medication error reporting system. The failure to report medication errors has resulted in poor customer satisfaction. Some of the clients around the rural area where the organization is located have decided to seek medical services in other facilities that are located even further. This organization may greatly benefit from the use of data. The organization may collect information on the number of reported medication errors every day. This will help in the determination of the source of error to ensure it is appropriately corrected for assuring patient safety. Another type of data that the facility can collect is patient feedback which may be done by administration of questionnaires after service delivery (Milton, 2017). The data will be crucial in revealing areas that require improvement in the facility to help in improving patient satisfaction and reducing medication errors. Nurse leaders may use clinical reasoning and judgment in the formation of knowledge from the experience. One of the ways for doing this is considering the areas that have the worst ratings in the patient feedback as the potential sources of errors in the hospital process. References Milton, C. L. (2017). The ethics of big data and nursing science. Nursing science quarterly, 30(4), 300-302. Westra, B. L., Clancy, T. R., Sensmeier, J., Warren, J. J., Weaver, C., & Delaney, C. W. (2015). Nursing knowledge: Big data science—Implications for nurse leaders. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 39(4), 304-310. Rubric Detail  · Excellent Good Fair Poor Develop a 5- to 6-slide PowerPoint presentation that addresses the following: ·   Explain the concept of a knowledge worker. ·   Define and explain nursing informatics and highlight the role of a nurse leader as a knowledge worker. 32 (32%) - 35 (35%) The presentation clearly and accurately explains the concept of a knowledge worker.  The presentation clearly and accurately defines and explains nursing informatics with a detailed explanation of the role of the nurse leader as a knowledge worker.  Includes: 3 or more peer-reviewed sources and 2 or more course resources. 28 (28%) - 31 (31%) The presentation explains the concept of a knowledge worker.  The presentation defines and explains nursing informatics with an explanation of the role of the nurse leader as a knowledge worker.  Includes: 2 p ...

1. Application of Data to Problem-Solving
The nursing profession relies on data for numerous
operations. The use of data is the backbone of nursing
informatics. This field is mainly aimed at making sure nurses
have access to the appropriate data that will help in solving
healthcare problems and making decisions that are of interest to
patients (Westra et al., 2015). It is also vital for adding to
knowledge in the healthcare environment. The scenario of focus
is a healthcare organization that suffers from poor ratings from
patients. The facility has been experiencing numerous cases of
medication errors. However, it lacks a formal medication error
reporting system. The failure to report medication errors has
resulted in poor customer satisfaction. Some of the clients
around the rural area where the organization is located have
decided to seek medical services in other facilities that are
located even further. This organization may greatly benefit from
the use of data.
The organization may collect information on the number of
reported medication errors every day. This will help in the
determination of the source of error to ensure it is appropriately
corrected for assuring patient safety. Another type of data that
the facility can collect is patient feedback which may be done
by administration of questionnaires after service delivery
(Milton, 2017). The data will be crucial in revealing areas that
require improvement in the facility to help in improving patient
satisfaction and reducing medication errors. Nurse leaders may
use clinical reasoning and judgment in the formation of
knowledge from the experience. One of the ways for doing this
is considering the areas that have the worst ratings in the
patient feedback as the potential sources of errors in the
hospital process.
References
Milton, C. L. (2017). The ethics of big data and nursing
science. Nursing science quarterly, 30(4), 300-302.

2. Westra, B. L., Clancy, T. R., Sensmeier, J., Warren, J. J.,
Weaver, C., & Delaney, C. W. (2015). Nursing knowledge: Big
data science—Implications for nurse leaders. Nursing
Administration Quarterly, 39(4), 304-310.
Rubric Detail
·
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Develop a 5- to 6-slide PowerPoint presentation that addresses
the following:
· Explain the concept of a knowledge worker.
· Define and explain nursing informatics and highlight the role
of a nurse leader as a knowledge worker.
32 (32%) - 35 (35%)
The presentation clearly and accurately explains the concept of
a knowledge worker.
The presentation clearly and accurately defines and explains
nursing informatics with a detailed explanation of the role of
the nurse leader as a knowledge worker.
Includes: 3 or more peer-reviewed sources and 2 or more course
resources.
28 (28%) - 31 (31%)
The presentation explains the concept of a knowledge worker.
The presentation defines and explains nursing informatics with
an explanation of the role of the nurse leader as a knowledge
worker.

3. Includes: 2 peer-reviewed sources and 2 course resources.
25 (25%) - 27 (27%)
The presentation inaccurately or vaguely explains the concept
of a knowledge worker.
The presentation inaccurately or vaguely defines and explains
nursing informatics with an inaccurate or vague explanation of
the role of the nurse leader as a knowledge worker.
Includes: 1 peer-reviewed sources and 1 course resources.
0 (0%) - 24 (24%)
The presentation inaccurately and vaguely explains the concept
of a knowledge worker or is missing.
The presentation inaccurately and vaguely defines and explains
nursing informatics with an inaccurate and vague explanation of
the role of the nurse leader as a knowledge worker or is
missing.
Includes: 1 or fewer resources.
· Develop a simple infographic to help explain these concepts.
14 (14%) - 15 (15%)
The presentation provides an accurate and detailed infographic
that helps explain the concepts related to the presentation.
12 (12%) - 13 (13%)
The presentation provides an infographic that helps explain the
concepts related to the presentation.
11 (11%) - 11 (11%)
The presentation provides an infographic related to the concepts
of the presentation that is inaccurate or vague.
0 (0%) - 10 (10%)
The infographic provided in the presentation related to the
concepts of the presentation is inaccurate and vague, or is
missing.
· Present the hypothetical scenario you originally shared in the

4. Discussion Forum. Include your examination of the data you
could use, how the data might be accessed/collected, and what
knowledge might be derived from the data. Be sure to
incorporate feedback received from your colleagues' replies.
32 (32%) - 35 (35%)
The presentation clearly and thoroughly includes the
hypothetical scenario originally shared in the Discussion
Forum, including a detailed and accurate examination of the
data used, how the data might be accessed/collected, and the
knowledge that could be derived from the data.
28 (28%) - 31 (31%)
The presentation includes the hypothetical scenario originally
shared in the Discussion Forum, including an accurate
examination of the data used, how the data might be
accessed/collected, and the knowledge that could be derived
from the data.
25 (25%) - 27 (27%)
The presentation includes the hypothetical scenario originally
shared in the Discussion Forum, including an examination of the
data used, how the data might be accessed/collected, and the
knowledge that could be derived from the data that is vague or
inaccurate.
0 (0%) - 24 (24%)
The presentation includes the hypothetical scenario originally
shared in the Discussion Forum, including an examination of the
data used, how the data might be accessed/collected, and the
knowledge that could be derived from the data that is vague and
inaccurate, or is missing.
Written Expression and Formatting - Paragraph Development
and Organization:
Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas,
flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences
are carefully focused--neither long and rambling nor short and
lacking substance.
5 (5%) - 5 (5%)

5. Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow,
continuity, and clarity.
4 (4%) - 4 (4%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow,
continuity, and clarity 80% of the time.
3.5 (3.5%) - 3.5 (3.5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow,
continuity, and clarity 60%- 79% of the time.
0 (0%) - 3 (3%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow,
continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time.
Written Expression and Formatting - English writing standards:
Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation
5 (5%) - 5 (5%)
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.
4 (4%) - 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
3.5 (3.5%) - 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation
errors.
0 (0%) - 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors
that interfere with the reader’s understanding.
Written Expression and Formatting - The paper follows correct
APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins,
indentations, page numbers, running head, parenthetical/in-text
citations, and reference list.
5 (5%) - 5 (5%)
Uses correct APA format with no errors.
4 (4%) - 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors.
3.5 (3.5%) - 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) APA format errors.
0 (0%) - 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors.

6. Total Points: 100
· Explain the concept of a knowledge worker.
· A knowledge worker is a person who utilizes and processes
previously learned, as well as newly presenting, information to
care for their client (p.21) or patient. Peter Drucker contrived
this term in his 1959 book, Landmarks of Tomorrow (p.117).
· Define and explain nursing informatics and highlight the role
of a nurse leader as a knowledge worker.
· “Nursing informatics (NI), a product of the scientific synthesis
of information in nursing, encompasses concepts from computer
science, cognitive science, information science, and nursing
science” (p.2).
· NI provides nurses the ability to continue their education,
mitigate errors, support clinical decisions, protect
confidentiality, save time, increase the safety of care,
implement evidence-based practice, provide timely
interventions to alerts, prevent deterioration of the patient
condition, succinctly access health records, and communicate
with other specialties (p.16).
· A nurse is a knowledge worker because he or she takes data
and previous formal education into account when caring for a
patient. The role of the nurse as a knowledge worker is twofold
in that he or she processes information to take care of the
patient in the present but also charts the data for future
comparison (p.117). The following are “four roles that nursing
takes on as a knowledge worker: data gatherer, information
user, knowledge user, and knowledge builder, respectively”
(p.119).
· Develop a simple infographic to help explain these concepts.
· A smaller version of the infographic has been pasted on the
following page; however, I attached the PowerPoint document
as well, since the spacing is more aesthetically pleasing on that
copy.

7. Knowledge User
Nurse
Leader
Continued Education
Mitigate Errors
Support Clinical Decisions
Protect Confidentiality
Time-Saving
Increase Safety of Care
Implement Evidence-Based Practice
Provide Timely Interventions to Alerts
Prevent Deterioration of Patient Condition
Succinctly Access Medical Records
Communicate With Other Departments
Data
Gatherer
Info
User
Knowledge Builder

8. Present the hypothetical scenario you originally shared in the
Discussion Forum. Include your examination of the data that
you could use, how the data might be accessed/collected, and
what knowledge might be derived from that data. Be sure to
incorporate feedback received from your colleagues’ replies.
When admitting a patient into the Cath Lab (usually outpatient
procedure) there are several steps that I take to collect their
medication data; their preferred pharmacy, medicine bottles if
the patient is compliant enough to bring them in, and lists of
medications from previous H&Ps are all part of getting the
entire picture about their prescriptions and over-the-counter
supplements. Once I have their preferred pharmacy, the
computer system collects their prescription information, which
is shown on my screen. It has occurred to me, however, that if
they use more than one pharmacy, their prescription information
would be based on their word, and may not be entirely accurate.
Most people do not know enough about cardiac medications to
lie and are too scared to take cardiac medications without the
direction of a qualified provider; however, since I am studying
to be a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

9. and will, therefore, be prescribing medications that alter one's
mental status, I am worried about trusting my patients as proper
historians. What if my patient has prescribed Valium from their
primary care provider and I prescribe Xanax? The two should
not be taken together, and I am responsible for the well-being of
the patients in my care. What I would like is for there to be a
universal prescription database that all pharmacies must utilize
and that prescribers could access for safety. That way all
prescriptions that a patient has access to are taken into account
by all of his or her providers, providing a continuity of care and
decreased polypharmacy. “Information continuity consists on
one hand in the exchange and transfer of information among
health care providers and to patients and on the other hand how
the knowledge of the patient is accumulated” (Nagle, 2018).
This would eliminate double-dosing, increase safety, decrease
the likelihood of addiction, and aid in the opioid crisis.
A study by Fricton and Davies (2008) revealed that patients,
caregivers, and providers approved of and benefited from a
Personal Healthcare Record (PHR) easily accessed by approved
providers. Although this study evaluated the benefits of a
community PHR in Wilmer, Minnesota versus the national
prescription database that I am proposing, I think that the small-
scale benefits and approval rating would be comparable. “The
Institute of Medicine’s report, Preventing Medication Errors
2007, states that poor communication and exchange of medical
information at transition points for patients from one provider
to another are responsible for many medical errors and adverse
drug events” (Aspden, Wolcott, Bootman, & Cronenwett,
2007). Howard, Avery, Slavenburg, Royal, Pipe, and Lucassen,
discovered that three to four percent of all unplanned hospital
admissions were due to pharmacological adverse events (2006).
Even more shockingly, a review by Thomsen (2007) predicted
that close to seven percent of outpatients experience
preventable adverse drug events. If all pharmacies were
required to upload all prescription medications (not only
controlled substances) to a database that all prescribers were

10. able to access, I believe that the benefit to this country would
be immediate and widely recognized by providers, patients, and
communities.
As of 2011, 37 states have been involved in the State
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP) with ten other
states working on legislation to participate (U.S. Department of
Justice, 2016). Although this is a step in the right direction, the
fallbacks to the current PDMP are that the information is
confined to each state, the information shared only concerns
controlled substances, and the funding for all 47 states has
topped out at $7.6 million. Considering that I have been a nurse
in three states at four different jobs and have never heard
anything about a PDMP, I do not condone further investment in
the state-regulated PDMP and think that the lessons learned
since 2011 should be applied to a federal database, utilizing
federal laws. I believe that pharmacological companies have
had too much financial leeway and should be held fiscally
responsible for the national medication database. To sell
pharmaceuticals in this country, the manufacturing companies
should have to contribute to the database. The more
medications you sell, the more significant your contribution.
Although I do not believe in an overbearing government, I do
not see how this database could be managed without federal
influence. Ideally, a non-profit organization would regulate the
database for compliance, revisions, safety, and funding;
however, the participation of the pharmacies and pharmaceutical
companies would have to be a law in place.
Of course, anything involving health information technology
will have to consider the patients’ rights to privacy. This
subject can be complicated, so I have thought about keeping the
rules as simple as possible. Before a prescriber would be able
to view or write a new prescription, the patient would have to
approve said prescriber as an appropriate person. I have added
in the consent to receive a new prescription since it is human
nature to serve oneself. If a patient cannot obtain the
medication he or she needs, the incentive to approve the

11. consents will be more impacting. The consent to access
medication information could be emailed, texted or given to the
patient in person. A Personal Identification Number (PIN)
could be issued to the patient for increased security. The
database would need to be secured and kept up-to-date with the
latest technology to prevent inappropriate access.
References:
Aspden, P., Wolcott, J., Bootman, J., & Cronenwett, L. (2007).
Preventing Medication Errors. The National Academies Press.
doi:10.17226/11623
Fricton, J., DDS, MS, & Davies, D., MD. (2008). Personal
Health Records to Improve Health Information Exchange and
Patient Safety. Technology and Medication Safety,4. Retrieved
February 25, 2019, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK43760/#advances-
fricton_21.r1.
Howard, R. L., Avery, A. J., Slavenburg, S., Royal, S., Pipe, G.,
Lucassen, P., & Pirmohamed, M. (2007). Which drugs cause
preventable admissions to hospital? A systematic review.
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology,63(2), 136-147.
doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2006.02698.x
Nagle, L. M., Sermeus, W., & Junger, A. (2017). Evolving Role
of the Nursing Informatics Specialist. Forecasting Informatics
Competencies for Nurses in the Future of Connected Health,
212-221. doi:10.3233/978-1-61499-738-2-212
Thomsen, L. A., Winterstein, A. G., S⊘Ndergaard, B.,
Haugb⊘Lle, L. S., & Melander, A. (2007). Systematic Review
of the Incidence and Characteristics of Preventable Adverse
Drug Events in Ambulatory Care. Annals of
Pharmacotherapy,41(9), 1411-1426. doi:10.1345/aph.1h658
U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration
(Ed.). (2016, June). State Prescription Drug Monitoring
Programs. Retrieved March 6, 2019, from
https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/faq/rx_monitor.htm#4