Presents an overview of issues related to the adoption and use of health information technology and nursing informatics, addressing general computer information, health care information systems, and specialty applications.
Toni Hebda, RN, PhD, is a nurse clinician at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She has worked as a system analyst and adjunct faculty for Duquesne University School of Nursing, having taught both nursing informatics and clinical courses. Her interest in informatics provided a focus for her dissertation and subsequently led her to help establish a regional nursing informatics support group and obtain a graduate degree in information science and ANCC certification as informatics nurse. She is a reviewer for the Online Journal of Nursing Informatics.
Patricia Czar, RN, is an Information Systems Consultant. She has been active in informatics for more than 25 years, serving as manager of clinical systems at a major medical center where she was responsible for planning, design, implementation, and ongoing support for all of the clinical information systems. She has been an active member of several informatics groups and has presented nationally and internationally. Ms. Czar has served as mentor for nursing and health informatics students and has a Microcomputer Specialist certificate.
Cynthia Mascara, RN, MSN, MBA, is a Principal Consultant with Siemens Medical Solutions-Health Services. She provides consulting related to clinical systems implementation in the United States and internationally. Ms. Mascara has extensive experience with project management as well as the design and implementation of clinical information systems. She previously served as a nursing informatics specialist at a major medical center and has been an active member and leader in several informatics groups. Ms. Mascara has also presented extensively. She previously served in nursing services and administration at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.