Nursing informatics year in review

Nurses' role in patient care has evolved and so has their role in the use of technology to improve health care delivery. Nursing informatics research seeks to study the science of nursing, computer technology, and information science to enhance the quality of nursing practice. In an effort to increase patient safety and reduce health care-associated costs, nursing administrators have been challenged to incorporate technology and nursing practice. Unfortunately, health care institutions may not benefit from this body of work, as nursing informatics research associated with increased patient safety and cost containment may not be readily accessible for nursing administrators. The purpose of this study was to present the findings of a nursing informatics literature review and highlight those publications seen as most influential in the last year. In addition, we seek identify common topics and emerging themes in nursing informatics published research.