Perinatal and Neonatal Health Information Technology: Past, Present, and Future.

The 3 decades of The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing history share the same 3 decades as the birth of the information age and health information technology (HIT). This article summarizes the history of HIT and the corresponding publication history of The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing. Health information technology content has evolved from being the "how-to operate" topic of a publication to being integrated within a nursing practice publication. The article concludes with current HIT challenges and implications for the future.

The Translational Science Spectrum.

MICRO-ABSTRACT: The Associate Editor describes the importance of the adaptation of scientific knowledge to clinical practice.

Using technology to promote perinatal patient safety.

Leaders in health care and national health policy recommend information technology information technology as a strategy to promote patient safety. Technology enables error prevention, surveillance, and analysis. Although there is little research about technology and safety in perinatal care, nurses in the specialty can use current evidence about the electronic health record, decision support systems, and medication safety devices to guide practice. This article includes key issues and general recommendations for the use of information technology to promote patient safety, the most common applications relevant to perinatal care, and strategies for perinatal nurses who implement information technology to promote patient safety.

Leadership in nursing informatics.

Nursing informatics is a 21st century science with great potential for improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of health care. Perinatal, neonatal, and women's health nurses have an opportunity to contribute and lead in informatics. Leaders must learn about current informatics issues from essential resources, including the literature, professional organizations, and education programs, to develop successful strategies for innovation, collaboration, and implementation. Most important, nurses must be accountable for humanizing the use of technology using a nursing model.