The effects of information technology on perioperative nursing

Numerous advances in technology during the past decade require that nurses not only be knowledgeable in nursing science but that they also become educated in information technology (IT). Perioperative IT has the potential to improve the quality of health care, reduce costs, decrease medication administration errors, reduce time spent on paperwork, increase management efficacy, and allow affordable access to health care. Nursing knowledge is needed for designing, implementing, and updating software, including an electronic health record (EHR). With the support of EHR data, nurses will be able to develop best practices for patient care and support research for evidence-based practice. When a standardized terminology, such as the Perioperative Nursing Data Set, is incorporated into an EHR, consistent documentation can be shared among systems. With advances in technology, perioperative nursing roles are expanding in relation to IT requirements and nurses are pursuing additional education. In addition to traditional methods, e-learning is an effective way to provide ongoing technological education.