Data mining: a strategy for knowledge development and structure in nursing practice

Data mining is an emerging technique used more widely by the business world than the world of nursing and health care. However, this strategy can be helpful for improving the quality of decision making by clinicians and health care administrators. This paper addresses the concepts and techniques of data mining that could be useful for practicing nurses as well as nurse administrators. Data mining can be an important tool for the development of nursing knowledge and knowledge structures. An example of the use of the technique in an inpatient setting is provided and insights from the process are discussed.