Informatics Applications for Nursing Management: A Summer Institute Curriculum

Abstract

Changes In the health care systems of the Western industrialized countries have placed new demands on the organization and delivery of nursing services. The trends towards shorter hospital stays, increased use of ambulatory services, and expansion of critical care services, have led to increased levels of patient acuity and a redefinition of hospital-based and community-based health care delivery. This in turn has necessitated a rethinking of the use of human resources and a reconfiguration of employment patterns. However, many countries have also been faced with a drastic restructuring of health care financing systems, and concomitant mandates for efficiency of resource utilization and effectiveness of service delivery within a context of renewed commitment to quality care. Within the human resources sector, many countries and health care systems are confronted with selective shortages of personnel, in particular nursing personnel. These changes have impacted on both the scope and functions of nursing managers. There is an increased expectation for efficient decision-making, planning, implementation, and evaluation (Sullivan & Decker, 1988). The use of information technology as an instrument to decision-making and management is emphasized (Ozbolt, Abraham, & Schultz, in press). While today’s nursing managers have responded well to these new responsibilities and expectations, they are also confronted with their relative lack of formal preparation.