The need to improve patient care delivery makes nurse informaticists more vital than ever, writes Patricia Sengstack

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY is becoming so pervasive in health care it is almost impossible to find a care setting void of some type of electronic clinical system. Evaluating and managing these electronic tools require an understanding of patient care delivery and technology. They also require the knowledge to design systems with which nurses interact on a daily basis and the skills to evaluate care delivery effectiveness. Nurse informaticists are perfectly positioned to meet these requirements.