Title: Understanding the impact of big data on nursing knowledge | Article | NursingCenter
Headings: Understanding the impact of big data on nursing knowledge
Understanding the impact of big data on nursing knowledge
Source:
Nursing2020 Critical Care
Authors
Article Content
Defining big data
Preparing for the future of big data
How can nurses leverage big data?
Promoting standards and interoperability
Advancing quality eMeasures
Leveraging nursing informatics experts
Influencing patient outcomes
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Content: The ability to integrate disparate data and analyze these data to better understand outcomes is no small task. Having access to the right information at the right time to support clinical decisions is essential in planning and providing the right care for patients. All clinicians need real-time information to make timely, critical, clinical decisions. Understanding big data is a priority for nurses, as the profession aims to provide the best possible care to patients. Capturing healthcare data in a structured way helps build the foundation for accurate, reliable information regarding a patient across multiple systems and settings of care. Using data elements consistently and reliably also allows for information to be collected once and reused for multiple purposes, including outcomes measurement, practice level improvements, surveillance, population health, research, and decision support. 1 The use of big data technologies can help nurses and other healthcare providers improve care quality, optimize outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs. 2
Defining big data
The McKinsey Global Institute defines "big data" as "datasets whose size are beyond the ability of typical database software tools to capture, store, manage, and analyze." 3 While the data that comprise the elements of health information continue to expand in volume and complexity, the crux of big data is within the ability to analyze and use it in a meaningful way for continual improvements. 2
The movement from paper-based systems to electronic health record (EHR) systems is enabling nurses to consider the potential power of big data.