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Domain 8: Informatics and Healthcare Technologies
Descriptor: Information and communication technologies and informatics processes are used to
provide care, gather data, form information to drive decision making, and support professionals
as they expand knowledge and wisdom for practice. Informatics processes and technologies are
used to manage and improve the delivery of safe, high-quality, and efficient healthcare services
in accordance with best practice and professional and regulatory standards.
Contextual Statement: Healthcare professionals interact with patients, families, communities,
and populations in technology-rich environments. Nurses, as essential members of the
healthcare team, use information and communication technologies and informatics tools in
their direct and indirect care roles. The technologies, the locations in which they are used,
the users interacting with the technology, the communication occurring, and the work being
done all impact the data collected, information formed, decisions made, and the knowledge
generated. Additionally, the utilization of information and communication technologies in
healthcare settings changes how people, processes, and policies interact. Using these tools
in the provision of care has both short- and long-term consequences for the quality of care,
efficiency of communications, and connections between team members, patients, and
consumers. It is essential that nurses at all levels understand their role and the value of their
input in health information technology analysis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
With the prevalence of patient-focused health information technologies, all nurses have a
responsibility to advocate for equitable access and assist patients and consumers to optimally
use these tools to engage in care, improve health, and manage health conditions.
Entry-Level Professional Nursing Education

Advanced-Level Nursing Education

8.1 Describe the various information and communication technology tools used in the care of patients,
communities, and populations.
8.1a Identify the variety of information and
communication technologies used in care settings.

8.1g Identify best evidence and practices for the
application of information and communication
technologies to support care.

8.1b Identify the basic concepts of electronic
health, mobile health, and telehealth systems for
enabling patient care.

8.1h Evaluate the unintended consequences of
information and communication technologies on
care processes, communications, and information
flow across care settings.

8.1c Effectively use electronic communication tools.

8.1i Propose a plan to influence the selection
and implementation of new information and
communication technologies.

8.1d Describe the appropriate use of multimedia
applications in health care.

8.1j Explore the fiscal impact of information and
communication technologies on health care.

8.1e Demonstrate best practice use of social
networking applications.

8.1k Identify the impact of information and
communication technologies on workflow
processes and healthcare outcomes.

46 THE ESSENTIALS: CORE COMPETENCIES FOR PROFESSIONAL NURSING EDUCATION