An informatics infrastructure for patient safety and evidence-based practice in home healthcare

The informatics infrastructure for patient safety and evidence-based practice (EBP) in home healthcare comprises data acquisition methods, healthcare standards including standardized terminologies, data repositories and clinical event monitors, data-mining techniques, digital sources of evidence, and communication technologies. Although the components of an informatics infrastructure are available and applications that bring these components together to promote patient safety and enable EBP have demonstrated positive or promising results in the acute care setting, a number of challenges hinder implementation in home healthcare. Resolution of these challenges requires commitment and collaboration among key stakeholders.