The work of nurses is caring for patients. Nurses rely on data-driven research to improve patient outcomes, quality, safety and the delivery of cost-effective care. Research shows certain kinds of information technology can limit errors as well as improve care and efficiency.
The work of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)—one of the 27 institutes and centers at the National Institutes of Health—contributes to the body of evidence that improves care delivery and quality of life. Research projects funded through NINR are aimed at reducing burdensome chronic illness, improving quality of life and promoting patient-centered care. From this perspective, NINR’s unique focus on health promotion and disease prevention provide the cornerstone for advancing health and wellness.
Research shows certain kinds of information technology can limit errors as well as improve care and efficiency. Continued support for the role of nursing is needed in the design, development and implementation of health information technology (HIT), the electronic medical record and “Meaningful Use”, as it relates the role of nursing in the capturing data.
As policymakers and health care systems look to capture data to improve patient care and safety, it is important nursing is involved at each level of policy development and health care delivery.