Module One

Information technology can help with the management and processing of patient information.  As a graduate nurse, it is important to know about information technology for several reasons.  In clinical practice, information technology is vital to help organize patient care, keep patients safe and track trends in monitoring parameters.  Information technology can also be important in auditing previous patient charts to collect data for process development and establishing new patient guidelines. 

Module One

Hi Everyone!  My name is Jen and I am in the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program.  I currently work as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at Intermountain Medical Center where I have been for almost three years.

I was born and raised in Timmins, Ontario, Canada.  I blame my Northern Canada heritage for being a 'social networking' newcomer.  I look forward to becoming more proficient at understanding the true importance of social networking and it's role with information technology in the health care system.

In my current practice, information technology plays a large role.  We use computer charting on a daily basis.  Programs are constantly being developed to have the computer 'remember' information from patients from visit to visit.  Past visit radiology studies and laboratory results can be accessed at all times within the Intermountain Healthcare computer system in order to provide the best patient care.   

An area in which information technology is trying to make a difference is in the auditing of patient charts in order to improve patient care.  Charts can be organized and analyzed in terms of patient acuities, length of stay in the Emergency Department, danger vital signs and ultimately patient outcomes.