Abstract Detail

Abstract

Although clinical skills evaluation is the gold standard for assessing competence, there is one vital skill that is oftentimes minimized, discounted, or performed using outdated tools. The only skill that is used to validate all other skills nurses perform each day is electronic health record (EHR) documentation. The goal of EHR's is to ensure a patient will have what they need when they need it. Ninety-six percent of healthcare organizations use an EHR system. Research supports the idea that EHR competence and experience has the potential to impact patient outcomes, quality measures, risks, reimbursements, and satisfaction scores. Data shows nurses spend 40-50% of their workday using an EHR, however, only 20% of nursing students reported having EHR training while in school. Since the nursing field is leading this charge, the goal should be for 100% of nursing students to have access to an EHR during training. Focused EHR training helps prepare students for professional success and propels nursing curriculum and training into the 21st century. We can no longer watch as advancing technology leaves students and instructors vulnerable and unprepared. Student nurses who gain experience and competence are empowered to develop into long-term and well-adjusted new nurses directly impacting retention rates. Integrating EHR training into the current curriculum and setting the standard for how students are trained to document patient care at the school level helps alleviate stress from healthcare organizations, students, and the patients they serve. This presentation will share how the lack of EHR documentation skills has the potential to delay, detour, and destroy nursing professional advancements unless we are responsible and proactive with our profession and with the future of nursing. Information presented will suggest the best strategies for the integration of EHR training into nursing curriculum.

Biography

Vanessa K. Williams-Harvey is the Founder of HippoCLIN and a Clinical Informatics Manager.  She spearheads the team at DUES24, which recently launched HippoCLIN—a groundbreaking Electronic Health Record (EHR) training app offering healthcare students 24/7 access to a simulated EHR environment. This innovative platform fills a crucial gap in clinical education, enhancing the training experience for future healthcare professionals. Vanessa is passionate about leveraging technology to empower students and healthcare providers alike, ensuring they are equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to excel in today’s rapidly evolving digital healthcare landscape. With over 30 years of nursing experience—16 of those years spent at the bedside and 15 years in informatics—Vanessa has a deep understanding of patient care and the systems that support it. In her current role as Clinical Informatics Manager, she works closely with analysts to develop EHR systems that meet the needs of both clinicians and patients, improving overall care delivery.  The challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic further solidified her commitment to developing HippoCLIN, launching the app in 2023 to ensure healthcare students can train with the latest digital tools. Beyond her professional endeavors, Vanessa is deeply committed to charitable work. She is the founder of the annual Derby Alzheimer’s Luncheon, advocating for Alzheimer’s awareness, a cause close to her heart following her personal experience detailed in her 2017 book, “I Remember”. Vanessa’s passion for service extends beyond healthcare—she is a veteran, having served three years in the US Army, where she developed the leadership skills and discipline that continue to shape her professional life today. Vanessa holds a deep belief in the power of self-awareness and professional growth, guided by her core message: Do Better, Understand Better, Expect Better, Serve Best! technological advancements in clinical informatics.