Nursing Informatics in Discharge Planning

      Nursing Informatics is taking patient care to new levels. The Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation prides itself for quality care, sound education, providing comprehensive information for patients and families, and innovative rehabilitative techniques that provide the best possible outcome. The collaborative approach used enhances patient care by including patients and their families in their discharge plan. Ideally, this provides greater patient satisfaction, patient compliance, safer discharges, and better follow-up care.

      The Kessler Healthcare Management System (HMS) system provides staff with a database to access patients’ charts, medication lists, audits, and monitoring. The intra-computer system includes programs to aid staff in supplying information, illustrating documentation, maximizing quality care, and minimizing human error. Furthermore, it can provide the clinical data required for evidence-based practice, which is critical in research and in ensuring quality patient care. At Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, management analyzes findings in the literature and adjust the systems of care accordingly, aiming to provide safety, institute teaching techniques for staff, and provide a stepping stone for better care.

      Secondly, the nurses utilize the Data Logic scan to ensure patient safety when giving medications. The medication system is integrated within the HMS and tracks errors, time, missed doses, near misses, and discontinued medications. The system works by scanning the patient identification band which prompts the loading of his/her health record screen for a current medication list. According to health statistics, there are about 7,000 deaths a year due to medication errors alone. Furthermore, hospitals spend millions in law suits and prevention programs due to error. The bar coding system prevents human error by ensuring the right drug and dosage is given to the right patient.

      Another function of the HMS is an application that provides a dynamic way to guide patient teaching and learning. This system can provide the elderly with boundless information that is essential to follow-up care. The interdisciplinary team initiates a plan of care that is followed by the patient and family. The patient is taught about their medication regimen, dosages, side-effects, and alternatives. The nurses also teach the patients and families about self-care, monitoring trends, and seeking outside information as necessary.

The Future of Patient Education
      Patient care and education will continue to evolve and most institutions will need to keep up with technology to assure quality patient care. Our patients suffer from many debilitating physical ailments ranging from stroke, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis just to name a few. Unique computer applications (Apps) and touch-tone screens both show promise in providing more patient autonomy when using technology.

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