IUP RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The primary goal of the Grant Award entitled, "Simulation with Electronic Health Records and Telehealth for Nursing" is to purchase equipment for Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) to create simulation experiences for undergraduate nursing students who are preparing to serve patients in a rural acute care and home health setting through the use of telehealth services and an Electronic Health Record/Electronic Medical Record (EHR/EMR) system. Guided simulation provides the student with simulated practice scenarios, allows for immediate feedback and repetition and gives practical exposure to technology that is incorporated into the role of the professional graduate nurse. Telehealth uses electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, and public health and health administration. It is ideal for reaching a population commonly encountered by IUP undergraduate nursing students (rural, economically depressed, underserved patients with chronic health issues) and helps to control the costs of healthcare. The use of these technologies will enhance undergraduate nursing education by providing opportunities to practice nursing care that incorporates electronic documentation and telehealth services. To achieve this goal this project team plans to purchase simulation equipment to recreate a typical community dwelling of a rural patient with a common chronic illness like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, or obesity, complete with a telehealth monitoring system and an EHR/EMR. Undergraduate nursing students will experience simulation scenarios where they practice assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation skills in a structured laboratory environment. This training will ultimately impact direct patient care and nursing administration by producing entry level nurses who have received appropriate education, instructional practice and evaluation of health informatics skills and by helping to control costs.

Clarification of Codes