In the age of EHRs and data sharing having standardized terminology is beneficial. Nurse informatics specialists collaborate closely with chief nursing officers to guide the organization towards effective and efficient demonstration of meaningful use and standardized terminology. Informatics nurses are now focusing on reducing documentation burdens, streamlining processes, and leveraging data from EHRs to drive innovation and improve patient care. They use data from the point of care to highlight the value of nursing’s contribution to patient care quality. Examples include developing algorithms for identifying intimate partner violence, bringing healthcare directly to homeless populations using mobile technology, and using advanced analytics for predictive modeling to improve patient outcomes.

Reflect on how nursing contributions can be documented and highlighted through electronic health records. Consider the impact of nursing interventions that are not electronically documented and how they can affect patient outcomes. Discuss some cases where this might occur including examples from your work or clinical experiences if applicable. What actions can be taken to enhance the visibility and recognition of nursing contributions? What best practices would you suggest for nursing professionals to adopt in order to streamline processes, reduce documentation burdens, and enhance patient outcomes? How can these practices help in making the nursing profession more visible and acknowledged within the healthcare system?