Episode Summary

Tune into today’s NANDAcast episode to hear from Dr. Tamara Macieira as she discusses her expertise in nursing informatics and the application of large language models in healthcare. She explains the concept of large language models, their role in assisting nursing documentation, and how they can help reduce the cognitive load on nurses. Dr. Macieira also shares her experiences in mapping nursing terminologies using AI and emphasizes the importance of nursing data in improving patient care. 

Dr. Macieira also discusses the importance of bringing visibility to the nursing profession through data analysis and informatics. She emphasizes the need to quantify nursing interventions and the impact they have on patient care. She also touches on the challenges of missed nursing care and the importance of prioritizing tasks based on patient needs. As she looks to the future, Tamara shares insights into how nursing informatics and technology, including ambient listening and AI, can transform documentation practices, allowing nurses to focus more on patient care. She wraps up the podcast with a focus on mentorship and the importance of guiding the next generation of nurses in understanding the role of informatics in their practice.

Takeaways:

• Large language models and AI can reduce nurses’ documentation burden while suggesting evidence-based care plans.
• Standardized nursing terminologies are essential for accurate data representation and improved patient outcomes.
• The future of nursing documentation will be transformed through AI-assisted tools and ambient listening technology.
• Data analysis is crucial for quantifying nursing contributions and bringing visibility to the profession.
• Nursing informatics expertise, combined with mentorship, drives the advancement of the profession.
• Proper validation of AI-generated information remains critical for maintaining care quality.
• Missed nursing care reflects strategic reprioritization rather than care failure.

About Our Guest: 

Dr. Tamara Macieira (PhD, RN, Assistant Professor at the University of Florida College of Nursing) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida College of Nursing. Dr. Macieira is an expert in nursing informatics, standardized nursing terminologies, and data science. Her pioneering work harnesses advanced machine learning and large language model techniques to analyze the impact of palliative nursing care on patient outcomes, particularly for cognitively impaired older adults, using nursing data retrieved from electronic health records (EHRs) from diverse health settings.

Dr. Macieira’s dedicated research focuses on improving the quality of life for populations with life-limiting chronic conditions, such as older adults and critically ill patients, through the innovative development of healthcare technologies. Her cutting-edge program of research is funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health-National Institute on Aging and focuses on the development, for the first time, of the research-data infrastructure that will generate and integrate standardized nursing data from EHRs for over 2 million adult patients into the statewide OneFlorida+ Clinical Research Network. Dr. Macieira’s research is setting new interoperability and

research standards to improve patient care and bring visibility to the nursing profession.

About NANDA:

Welcome to The NANDACast, the podcast where nursing knowledge meets practice!  

Created for clinical nurses, educators and nursing students, this podcast dives into the heart of evidence-based nursing diagnoses and their critical role in delivering safe, effective, and patient-centered care. 

Brought to you by NANDA International, we’re here to facilitate the development, refinement, and use of standardized nursing diagnostic terminology. Our mission? To provide the tools and insights nurses need to communicate their clinical decisions, determine interventions, and improve patient outcomes. 

Whether you’re a seasoned nurse navigating complex care environments, a student preparing for the challenges of the profession – or an educator working to support student learning, The NANDACast delivers practical knowledge, expert conversations, and inspiration to elevate your practice and amplify your impact. 

Join us as we explore the power of words, the strength of knowledge, and the future of nursing. Let’s define the profession together—one diagnosis at a time.