Background Information:
Computer technology has transformed the industrial age to the information age (Saba, 2001). The use of data compilation and processing pre-dates computers. Florence Nightingale was the first nursing informatics specialist as she developed pie charts to illustrate causes of deaths in 1855 (O'Connor & Robertson, 2003). This information was carried forward to demonstrate the need to reduce unsanitary conditions in not only field hospitals but in all military hospitals (Kaminski, 2011; O'Connor & Robertson, 2003; Saba, 2001).
(O'Connor & Robertson, 2003)
Nursing Informatics is defined as “a combination of computer science, information science, and nursing science designed to assist in the management and processing of nursing data, information, and knowledge to support the practice of nursing” (Graves and Corcoran, as cited in Thede, 2012, para 1).
The transmission of data now occurs digitally though health professionals have been slow to accept technology. Some suggested barriers to acceptance include a lack of system integration, failure to implement informatics principles, inadequate screen design, and difficulty with change (Thede, 2012). The reluctance of health services to develop education and training contributes to implantation challenges. Education and training investments are disproportionate to the considerable IT investments (Norris & Brittain, 2000). Historically, a number of information systems have failed in many countries. Many of the achievements fall short of industry standards because of a lack of education investment (Norris & Brittain, 2000). Norris & Brittain (2000) note the “magnitude of the problem” is the reason for slow progress in the development of healthcare information systems (p. 190).