Managinga Data & Information Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Managinga Data & Information - Coursework Example The time spent at the systems and computers frequently used for completing work were examined. The study reported a greater access to computers by nurse managers, an indication that nurses managed most of the patient related information in accomplishing their work. Systems such as EHR (Electronic Health Record) becomes handy every time the nurse admit and attend to a patient. 2. An information management problem that can be solved with a database is updating of the system. Some institutions such as hospitals and clinics in the current technological era still have the file system of keeping records or the database management system. However, most hospitals, institutions, and businesses have already computerized their data and thus posses’ databases containing critical information necessary for the running of the institution. The management of information is very vital for every institution and business. On the contrary, when a system is being installed, the influence or impact of growth of the institution or business necessitating the growth of the amount of information handled is supposed to be anticipated and thus factored in as part of the long term plan. When institutions wait for a very long time to update the system or database, a loss of fundamental information may be incurred as the old system struggles to cope with the changes. The need to update a database arises from the fact that the ability to retrieve and update data forms a fundamental component of a database management system essential to the management of the database. Updating of data in a database comprises of the addition of new records (as a result of growth), deleting of the existing records and the alteration or changing of information within the records to allow easy access and retrieval of information. When databases are not updated, most patients will have problems with the privacy of the data in respect to their medical history, reduced efficiency in patient safety management, a nd inability of nurses to access appropriate and correct information regarding patients’ medical history (Haux, Winter, Ammenwerth, and Brigl, 2004). A situation for which data would be captured over an extended period of time comprise of patient discharges from the hospital. The three questions of the database that would be asked include how many patients are discharged everyday, which patients have the highest number of discharges from the hospital, and does the discharges indicate a link between patient/nurse relationships. 3. One of the databases that are used in the work setting is the EMR database. A clinic that aims at keeping its operations under budget perceives the implementation of the EMR technology in the work setting as a priority. EMR database is an increasingly common alternative to the traditional patient records that permits medical facilities to update and access vital records within a few keystrokes from several multiple locations. A number of large hospit als and medical practices in the present era have already implemented the switch to the new EMR record keeping form. The

RESPIRATORY CARE TO PREVENT COMPLICATIONS AFTER THORCOTOMY Essay

RESPIRATORY CARE TO PREVENT COMPLICATIONS AFTER THORCOTOMY - Essay Example Up to 65% of patients may have an atelectasis, and 3% may develop pneumonia (Pasquina et al 2003). They are the result of progressive changes in the respiratory status of the patient and play a significant role in postoperative morbidity and mortality (Leo et al 2006). They also prolong hospital stay and increase healthcare costs (Pasquina et al 2003). Thoracotomy is performed for various surgeries like resection of pulmonary and esophageal tumors, operations on the lung like pneumonectomy, lobectomy, segmental resection, wedge resection and lung-volume reduction surgery, operations on the pleura like pleurectomy and decortication, operations on the esophagus and on the heart (Porter 2003). The pulmonary complications are usually delayed, occurring 48–72 hours after thoracotomy (Leo et al 2006). The commonly seen complications are adult respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, atelectasis, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary edema, asthma and respiratory failure (Leo et al 2006). Since pulmonary complications increase the morbidity and mortality of patients following surgery, many studies have been done to look into means of preventing these complications. Leo et al (2006) evaluated the benefits of identifying these complications early in the course of post-operative care after thoracotomy, so that appropriate interventions can be delivered to prevent and manage these complications. They used a multifactorial score called FLAM score to identify postoperative patients at higher risk for pulmonary complications at least 24 hours before the clinical diagnosis. The FLAM score was based on 7 parameters, namely, dyspnea, chest X-ray, delivered oxygen, auscultation, cough, quality and quantity of bronchial secretions. The researchers concluded that changes in FLAM score could be detected atleast 24 hours before the clinical diagnosis of pulmonary complications, giving as opportunity for the clinicians to take action much before overt symptoms. Algar et al