In the modern era, there are few professions that do not to some extent rely on data. Stockbrokers rely on market data to advise clients on financial matters. Meteorologists rely on weather data to forecast weather conditions, while realtors rely on data to advise on the purchase and sale of property. In these and other cases, data not only helps solve problems, but adds to the practitioner’s and the discipline’s body of knowledge.
Of course, the nursing profession also relies heavily on data. The field of nursing informatics aims to make sure nurses have access to the appropriate date to solve healthcare problems, make decisions in the interest of patients, and add to knowledge.
In this Discussion, you will consider a scenario that would benefit from access to data and how such access could facilitate both problem-solving and knowledge formation.
To Prepare:
Reflect on the concepts of informatics and knowledge work as presented in the Resources.
Consider a hypothetical scenario based on your own healthcare practice or organization that would require or benefit from the access/collection and application of data. Your scenario may involve a patient, staff, or management problem or gap.
Post a description of the focus of your scenario. Describe the data that could be used and how the data might be collected and accessed. What knowledge might be derived from that data? How would a nurse leader use clinical reasoning and judgment in the formation of knowledge from this experience?

Additionally, all scholarly resources should be properly cited and referenced to give credit to the original source and author.

What sources should I avoid?
Informal blogs, internet posts and websites that are not part of a scholarly review process. This includes popular hospital websites (such as MayoClinic.org), Patient facing websites with information designed for the patient, not the provider (such as WebMD, Healthline and MedicineNet, among many others), and UptoDate.com. Information should not be utilized from UptoDate.com since all information is a synthesis of the most up to date literature available. If you wish to use information from UpToDate, use the original sources, not the UpToDate website.