Restrictions on Nursing Students' Electronic Health Information Access

Abstract

Background: Restrictions on students' use of electronic health information have been anecdotally reported as a threat to clinical learning, development of informatics competency, and adherence to personal health information privacy laws. However, evidence on which informatics education and policy strategies can be designed is lacking.

Purpose: This study describes the scope of nursing students' access to and use of electronic health information systems as reported by clinical instructors.

Methods: Clinical faculty (n = 193) in prelicensure programs from 25 states completed the online survey.

Results: Students are often restricted in retrieving patient health information, charting assessment data and delivered care, and using medication administration systems. Students alternatively use faculty or staff nurses' system security access.

Conclusions: Results suggest the need for critical review of nursing curriculum related to informatics competency and clinical site health records access policies.