Book excerpt: “Provides a broad overview of informatics knowledge to empower nurses to be thoughtful and participate in the capture, storage, and use of data to create information and knowledge to optimize patient outcomes...In this book, you will gain an understanding of how clinical decision support tools work so you can provide feedback about [their] effectiveness and recommend additional ways decision support tools help.” —Bonnie L. Westra, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, FACMI, From the Foreword Understanding and managing technology is a key component in providing quality patient care today. This addition to the popular Fast Facts series provides RNs and nursing students with an accessible, concise, step-by-step introduction to the essentials of informatics and its impact on patient lives. This book delivers required competencies and frameworks for both nursing education and practice, expanding upon integral systems and technologies within our healthcare system and their impact on the responsibilities of the individual nurse. Highlighting the intricacies within a specialized approach to healthcare data, data mining, and data organization, this resource connects day-to-day informatics practices to larger initiatives and perspectives. Clear and concise synopses of healthcare essentials, case studies, and abundant practical examples help readers understand how health informatics improves patient care within the nursing scope of practice. Thought-provoking questions in each chapter facilitate in-depth considerations on chapter content. Key Features: Key information about the electronic health record, telehealth, wearables, and decision-support tools Practical examples demonstrate how informatics improves patient care within the nurse’s scope of practice Case studies with thought-provoking questions Nurses’ influence on data quality Relevant ethical, legal, and social issues The intersection of technology and informatics and the power of data