- Review the Resources and reflect on the impact of clinical systems on outcomes and efficiencies within the context of nursing practice and healthcare delivery.
- Conduct a search for recent (within the last 5 years) research focused on the application of clinical systems. The research should provide evidence to support the use of one type of clinical system to improve outcomes and/or efficiencies, such as “the use of personal health records or portals to support patients newly diagnosed with diabetes.”
- Identify and select 4 peer-reviewed research articles from your research.
The Impact of Clinical Systems on Outcomes and Efficiencies in Nursing Practice and Healthcare Delivery: A Focus on Personal Health Records and Patient Portals in Diabetes Management
Introduction
The integration of clinical systems into healthcare delivery has significantly transformed nursing practice, enhancing patient outcomes and operational efficiencies. Among these systems, Personal Health Records (PHRs) and patient portals have emerged as pivotal tools, particularly in managing chronic conditions like diabetes. These platforms facilitate improved communication between patients and healthcare providers, empower patients in self-management, and streamline care processes. This essay reviews recent peer-reviewed research to evaluate the impact of PHRs and patient portals on diabetes care, highlighting their role in improving clinical outcomes and healthcare efficiencies.JMIR
Review of Selected Research Articles
-
Associations between Patient Portal Use and Electronic Health Record (EHR) Data Timeliness in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Care
Wiley et al. (2024) conducted a study analyzing EHR data from adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) to determine if patient portal usage correlates with improved data timeliness. The study found that active portal users had a 3.6% decrease in days between EHR attribute updates compared to non-users, indicating more timely data entries. This timeliness is crucial for effective diabetes management, as it ensures that healthcare providers have up-to-date information for decision-making. The study underscores the importance of patient engagement through portals in enhancing data quality and, consequently, patient care. -
Patient Portal Functionalities and Patient Outcomes Among Patients With Diabetes: Systematic Review
Alturkistani et al. (2020) performed a systematic review to assess the association between patient portal functionalities and health outcomes in diabetic patients. The review included twelve studies, with findings suggesting that portal use is associated with improved glycemic control, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. However, the review also noted limitations in the existing studies, such as potential confounding factors and the need for more rigorous research designs. Despite these limitations, the review highlights the potential benefits of patient portals in managing diabetes. -
A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Standalone Personal Health Record Use by Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Fuji et al. (2021) conducted a mixed-methods study to evaluate the use of standalone PHRs by patients with T2DM. The study combined quantitative assessments of self-care behaviors and HbA1c levels with qualitative interviews exploring patient experiences. Findings indicated that PHR use positively influenced self-care behaviors and social cognitive outcomes, although changes in HbA1c were not statistically significant. The study emphasizes the role of PHRs in promoting patient engagement and self-management, which are critical components of effective diabetes care. -
Impact of Personal Health Records on Diabetes Management: A Propensity Score Matching Study
Seo et al. (2020) utilized a retrospective observational design to examine the effect of mobile PHRs on HbA1c regulation in diabetic patients. The study employed propensity score matching to control for confounding variables and found that PHR users experienced significant reductions in HbA1c levels compared to non-users. This suggests that mobile PHRs can be effective tools in improving glycemic control, thereby enhancing patient outcomes in diabetes management.
Reflection on Impact in Nursing Practice and Healthcare Delivery
The reviewed studies collectively demonstrate that PHRs and patient portals can lead to improved clinical outcomes and efficiencies in diabetes care. For nursing practice, these systems offer valuable tools for patient education, monitoring, and engagement, enabling nurses to provide more personalized and timely care. Enhanced data timeliness and accuracy facilitate better clinical decision-making, reduce the likelihood of errors, and support proactive management of chronic conditions. Moreover, by empowering patients to take an active role in their health management, these systems can lead to increased patient satisfaction and adherence to treatment plans.
Conclusion
The integration of PHRs and patient portals into healthcare systems has a positive impact on the management of diabetes, leading to improved patient outcomes and operational efficiencies. These tools support nursing practice by enhancing patient engagement, facilitating timely data access, and enabling more effective care coordination. As healthcare continues to evolve with technological advancements, the adoption and optimization of such clinical systems will be essential in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.
The post Impact of Clinical Systems on Outcomes and Efficiencies appeared first on Nursing Depo.