Nursing

Technology Innovations

Developing a Comprehensive Electronic Health Record to Enhance Nursing Care Coordination, Use of Technology, and Research

Marilyn J. Rantz, PhD, RN, FAAN; Marjorie Skubic, PhD; Greg Alexander, PhD, RN; Mihail Popescu, PhD; Myra A. Aud, PhD, RN; Bonnie J. Wakefield, PhD, RN; Richelle J. Koopman, MD, MS; Steven J. Miller, MA

Abstract

As in acute care, use of health information technology in long-term care holds promise for increased efficiency, better accuracy, reduced costs, and improved outcomes. A comprehensive electronic health record (EHR), which encompasses all health care measures that clinicians want to use—both standard health care assessments and those acquired through emerging technology—is the key to improved, efficient clinical decision making. New technologies using sensors to passively monitor older adults at home are being developed and are commercially available. However, integrating the clinical information systems with passive monitoring data so that clinical decision making is enhanced and patient records are complete is challenging. Researchers at the University of Missouri (MU) are developing a comprehensive EHR to: (a) enhance nursing care coordination at TigerPlace, independent senior housing that helps residents age in place; (b) integrate clinical data and data from new technology; and (c) advance technology and clinical research.

AUTHORS

Dr. Rantz is Professor, Dr. Alexander is Assistant Professor, Dr. Aud is Associate Professor, Dr. Wakefield is Research Associate Professor, and Mr. Miller is Research Associate, Sinclair School of Nursing; Dr. Rantz is also Professor and University Hospital Professor of Nursing, and Dr. Koopman is Assistant Professor, Curtis W. and Ann H. Long Department of Family and Community Medicine, Dr. Popescu is Assistant Professor, Health Management and Informatics Department, School of Medicine; and Dr. Skubic is Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.

The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity. This research was supported by the U.S. Administration on Aging grant 90AM3013 (PI: Rantz) and the National Science Foundation Information Technology Research grant IIS-0428420 (PI: Skubic).

Address correspondence to Marilyn J. Rantz, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor, S406, Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65279; e-mail: .rantzm@missouri.edu

doi: 10.3928/00989134-20091204-02

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