Assessing the Integration of Health Information Technology Competencies into Critical Care Nursing Practices

Health Information Technology (HIT) is crucial in enhancing critical care nursing by improving efficiency, patient safety, and decision-making. Despite its benefits, integrating HIT competencies into nursing practice remains inconsistent due to training gaps and system usability issues. Understanding these challenges is essential for optimizing HIT adoption in critical care settings. Research aims to assess the integration of HIT competencies into critical care nursing, identifying competency levels, barriers to adoption, and the impact on clinical performance. 250 critical care nurses from multiple healthcare institutions participated in the investigation. Participants were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. A mixed-methods approach was used, including quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and regression analysis were employed to assess HIT competency levels and identify significant barriers to adoption. The best-performing factors were perceived proficiency in patient care and HIT usage frequency, which demonstrated important levels of engagement and a favorable consequence on patient results. Regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between HIT competency levels and perceived efficiency in patient care (p