Free Custom «Scholarly Paper: Healthcare Informatics Theories and Policies» Essay Paper

The nursing practice has been evolving over the years with the development of new terminologies to facilitate an effective communication among those in practice. It is worth admitting that this issue faces two significant challenges that have necessitated the development of standardized terminologies. The first risk is a difficulty to differentiate nursing contributions to patient care from those ones of medicine. The second significant challenge is a problem of incorporating descriptions of nursing care into a health record in such a way being in tandem with the welfare of a patient, especially in a hospital environment. The nursing terminology that will be discussed in this paper is the Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC). It effectively classifies different interventions that nurses perform. According to Bavaresco and Lucena (2012), this terminology is beneficial because it improves patient care, adherence to professional standards of care, clear communication among nurses and healthcare providers, as well as increased visibility of nursing interventions.

This paper explicates the Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) terminology highlighting the approach used in its development, extent of use in the nursing practice, methods to facilitate appropriate implementation, and the benefits as well as barriers of using the terminology.

The Approach Used in the Development of the NIC Terminology

The enumerative approach is a key strategy used in the development of the Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) terminology. In this concept, words are clearly represented in a simple hierarchy. Udina (2012) opines that it entails splitting complex ideas into manageable components that create a meaning to nurses. For instance, Udina (2012) indicates that the NIC has been developed by recognizing the following fact. There are 554 nursing interventions that explain the nature of treatments offered by nurses. In line with an enumerative approach, each of these interventions is effectively labeled, defined, and provided with a list of relevant activities. The entire tasks performed by nurses on behalf of patients are included and categorized into independent and collaborative, direct and indirect interventions. Hardiker (2011) opines that the classification approach has grouped these interventions into 30 different classes and 7 domains, including such as complex, basic, safety, behavioral, health system, family, and community. Each of them is having a unique code to distinguish them.

The Extent that the Terminology Would Be Captured in Nursing Practice

The extent that the Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) terminology used is extremely wide. It will be captured within all types of specialties and settings where nurses actively assist patients in a recovery process. The extent that the terminology will be captured is across a board because it entails all the actions and therapeutic interventions offered by nurses to patients. For instance, Bavaresco and Lucena (2012) confirm that the key therapeutic interventions that will be covered in the nursing practice include physiological, psychosocial, the prevention of illnesses, the treatment of sicknesses, and the promotion of appropriate health for individuals. In terms of indirect forms of treatment, it will be captured in such areas as checking an emergency chart.

Researchers at the University of Iowa have developed and approved the use of the Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC). Their aim of approving the application of the term was to develop a knowledge base to guide nurses on their respective practices and interactions with patients in a healthcare environment.

Methods that Should Be Used to Ensure Appropriate Implementation and Terminology Consistent Usage

One of the key methods that will play a crucial role in ensuring appropriate implementation and terminology consistent use is the adoption of strict acts. Such ones should ensure the adherence to the terminology. For instance, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009 offers financial incentives for the use of electronic health records in the provision of interventions to patients. Alcade-Parcés and Vera-Remartínez (2014) reiterate that the mandatory position concerning the issue will be instrumental in the implementation process hence leading to the realization of desired results in terms of patients’ outcomes. The Act provides a sufficient external pressure to push nurses toward an appropriate implementation of terminology in a course of serving examinees.

The second method to ensure the appropriate implementation and terminology consistent usage is the incorporation of the current information and technology systems such as borderless communications, collaborative working, web-based applications, ubiquitous advanced digital content, and reintermediation. It will assist in the proper application of terminology due to the inevitable infiltration into healthcare. Nurses will be in the best position to implement and regularly use the terminology because of constant interactions with it through the current information and technology.

The third relevant method to facilitate the appropriate implementation and consistent usage of terminology is an improvement of record keeping and documentation among nurses. Such means will lead to an appropriate activation and constant application of terminology. The reason is that they ensure the regular flow of information in the healthcare environment hence supporting continuity, quality, and safety standards of the care delivered to patients. Hardiker (2011) observes that compulsory record keeping could ensure that nurses comply with the required legal standards. Thus, they may be implementing them in the best way possible while adhering to its consistent usage in their practice.

How the Nursing Language Supports the Collection of Data for Meaningful Use and How Outcomes Would Be Measured or Used in Advanced Nursing

The Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) as a nursing language supports the collection of data for a meaningful use through the facilitation of electronic documentation (ED) and electronic health records (EHRs). Udina (2012) has noted that the NIC nursing language recognizes regular changes in practice hence adapting the most current forms of data collection for the meaningful use among nurses.

It also supports the collection of data for the proper application by combining the best practice and evidence-based care into IT systems. Notably, the standard nursing language shows the need for best practices when dealing with patients. Thus, is leading to the effective collection of data that could be used for further improvements once needed.

Patients’ outcomes will be measured by comparing the nursing data on a hospital’s computer system to another medical institution or setting that offers nursing care. Bavaresco and Lucena (2012) agree that storing nursing care data in a standardized nursing care language provides a reliable platform for measuring patient outcomes. The reason is that these ones are easily benchmarked with similar environments. Deviations in patient outcomes could be noticed because of existence of the standardized language hence leading to remedial and improvement strategies. Such patient results mean a lot to nurses because they serve as the best pointers for advanced nursing and the delivery of care in the most professional manner. Nursing practitioners are always able to improve their outcomes with understanding the patient requirements.

Benefits and Barriers of NIC or Any Standardized Nursing Terminologies

Benefits

Using the Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) or any other standardized language brings some numerous benefits.

The first notable advantage of these standardized nursing terminologies is the promotion of efficient communication among nurses and other healthcare providers. Carrington (2012) indicates that nurses are able to communicate among themselves and with other healthcare professionals such as physicians using these standardized nursing languages. It boosts a harmonious work and understanding among these professionals hence improving patient outcomes. Nurses remain alert in their interventions because of the role played by a common language being easily understood by everyone.

The second benefit of these terminologies is increased visibility of nursing interventions. It means that nurses always have to give an exact record of what they do for patients in any healthcare environment. With standardized nursing languages, nursing practitioners improve their judgment of the condition of their patients hence ensuring they deliver reliable and accurate information. Therefore, the interventions need to be offered.

Thirdly, standard nursing languages are beneficial in the sense that they improve patient care. Nurses become more committed and confident in their responsibilities with the understanding of relevant nursing languages. For instance, Carrington (2012) holds such a view that the reliance on the NIC is crucial. It ensures that different aspects such as psychological and psychosocial of an individual are considered. A patient is able to receive the best form of care with the consideration of numerous sides of health.

Another benefit is the improved data collection and constant evaluation of nursing care outcomes. As aforementioned, standard nursing languages ensure the following fact. The IT is easily accommodated into the documentation process hence leading to the collection of relevant data concerning the patient. Such information is benchmarked with related health facilities to measure the level of nursing care in hospital.

The standard nursing languages are also beneficial because they lead to a greater adherence to nursing professional standards of care. For instance, the NIC is based on the input of expert nurses and the standards offered by professional organizations. More nurses are motivated to observe these concepts in the course of managing patients.

Barriers

One of key barriers to the use of the NIC is the lack of reimbursement for nursing documentation. Most of them overlook at the use of standardized nursing languages because of the understanding that they will not be reimbursed. The lack of motivation emanating from the absence of reimbursement acts as a barrier to the use of this terminology.

The second key barrier to its application is the unavailability of standard nursing languages in electronic records. Alcade-Parcés and Vera-Remartínez (2014) agree that most healthcare facilities lack standardized nursing languages in their electronic records. Hence, they are paralyzing the whole process of adopting them and putting them into practice.

Should There Be a Standard for Nursing Language

It should be noted that, of course, there should be a standard for nursing language. Accordingly, the concept to promote the contemporary field of nursing that requires electronic documentation should be automatically put in place. It has to be done to ensure that the data are collected effectively; and patient outcomes are being compared. Putting in place the standard for nursing language is the best way of improving the commitment of nursing to improved patient outcomes through such data.

More so, there should be the concept to increase communication efficiencies among nurses. According to Carrington (2012), using a common language would be positive for the entire healthcare environment. The reason is that nurses can make relevant decisions being in the best interests of patients. Confusions are avoided with the existence of the standard for nursing language.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) is one of the key nursing terminologies developed in line with the enumerator approach. It considers all forms of nursing interventions offered to patients either directly or indirectly. The NIC is widely uses in the healthcare field because of its significance to both a patient and a nurse. They always have to ensure they come up with the accurate form of conditions before advising on a treatment plan. With the existence of standardized nursing languages such as NIC, it is easier for nursing practitioners to gather data through electronic documentation and electronic health records (EHRs). It is vital for the nursing practice to continue developing standardized terminologies to support best practice, improve patient outcomes, the collection of data, and adherence to nursing standards. However, the barriers relating to the lack of standard nursing languages in the electronic systems of hospitals should be eliminated through the introduction of current technological systems.