Module Components

• Overview

Topics

• Overview of Public Health and Public Health Informatics
• Public Health Data Sources
• Public Health Informatics and Meaningful Use

Nurs460 – HEALTH INFORMATICS FOR REGISTERED NURSES

Module 10: Technology to Support Public Health

Overview

Public Health focuses on promoting the health of communities and populations. Functions of public health include the prevention of epidemics and the spread of disease, protection against environmental hazards, promotion of health, disaster response and recovery, and providing access to health care. Managing the data and information for public health has been made easier with the use of information technology. This module will focus on the application of technology solutions for public health needs as well as the role of the nurse leader in contributing data to and utilizing information from these systems.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this module, the learner will be able to:

1. Provide an overview of public health and public health informatics.
   
2. Discuss sources of public health data/information along with the use of informatics tools in disease surveillance and management.
   
3. Explore the impact on the meaningful use initiative on public health data.

Required Readings

Alexander, S., Frith, K.H., & Hoy, H. (2024). Applied clinical informatics for nurses (2nd Ed). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Read Chapter 15

Smith, P.F., Hadler, J.L., Stanbury, M., Rolfs, R.T., Hopkins, R.S. (2013). Blueprint version 2.0: Updating public health surveillance for the 21st century. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 19(3), 231-239.

RECOMMENDED READINGS

Yasnoff, W., O’Carroll, P., Koo, D., Linkins, R., & Kilbourne, E. (2000). Public Health Informatics: Improving and transforming Public Health in the information age. Journal of Public Health Management Practice, 6(6), 67-75.