The Rise of Nursing Informatics: Why These Experts Are Essential for Perioperative Teams

Informatics AORN Syntegrity

By: Luke Jobman, MS, RN, NI-BC, CNOR

Published: 2/27/2025

The Booming Field of Nurse Informatics

The field of nurse informatics is growing at an unprecedented rate, driven by the increasing reliance on digital tools in healthcare. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for health informatics specialists, including nurse informaticists, is projected to grow by 9% from 2018 to 2028—outpacing the average for all occupations.

Nursing informatics integrates nursing science, information management, and analytical sciences to enhance the quality of patient care, improve health outcomes, and advance nursing practices through technology and data management. This vital role ensures that technology solutions are effectively implemented in clinical environments, helping perioperative teams navigate complex digital landscapes with greater ease and efficiency.

What Does a Nurse Informaticist Do?

A nurse informaticist is an expert in designing, developing, implementing, and optimizing electronic health records (EHRs) and other health information systems. With their unique dual perspective, they act as a liaison between clinical staff and IT teams, ensuring that patient care and electronic documentation are seamlessly aligned. Their work enhances accuracy, compliance, and efficiency in healthcare settings, ultimately benefiting both patients and providers.

Why the Growth? The Driving Forces Behind the Demand

Several key factors are fueling the increasing demand for nurse informaticists, particularly in perioperative settings:

The Rise of Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Digital Tools

As more healthcare facilities adopt digital solutions, the need for nurse informaticists to optimize these systems has never been greater. They help facilities maximize their EHRs by integrating policies, protocols, and education directly into electronic documentation. By standardizing nomenclature and charting practices, they reduce variability among staff, ensuring consistent and reliable patient records.

Data-Driven Decision-Making in Healthcare

Hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are under pressure to make informed, data-backed decisions. However, tight staffing situations make it challenging to implement new technologies smoothly. A knowledgeable nurse informaticist ensures that new systems are effectively integrated into existing infrastructures, streamlining adoption and enhancing efficiency.

Standardized Documentation for OR Efficiency

Standardization in documentation is crucial for perioperative teams. Tools like AORN Syntegrity provide structured, evidence-based frameworks that improve workflow consistency and communication. Nurse informaticists play a key role in implementing these tools, ensuring that perioperative teams work within a shared structure that enhances efficiency and safety.

The Vital Role of Nurse Informaticists in Healthcare

Nurse informaticists provide immense value to perioperative teams by:

Bridging the gap between clinical staff and IT teams, ensuring that technology serves patient care needs effectively.

Improving patient outcomes by streamlining workflows, reducing errors, and enhancing clinical decision-making.

Optimizing perioperative processes to ensure smoother communication, better resource management, and increased OR efficiency.

Leading the charge in implementing tools like AORN Syntegrity, aligning documentation with best practices and national standards.

Investing in Nurse Informatics for a Better Healthcare Future

In today’s evolving healthcare landscape, nurse informaticists are essential for improving efficiency, reducing errors, and ensuring seamless technology adoption in perioperative settings. Their expertise bridges the gap between clinical practice and digital innovation, making them invaluable assets to healthcare organizations.

As the demand for these professionals continues to rise, investing in nurse informaticists will be critical to achieving operational excellence. Healthcare organizations should prioritize hiring and supporting these specialists to stay ahead in an increasingly digital world.

Is your perioperative team ready to harness the full potential of nurse informatics? Learn how AORN Syntegrity can enhance OR efficiency today. Book a 15-minute with our team to start the conversation about implementing AORN Syntegrity.

References:

NursingEducation. (n.d.). What are the opportunities in nursing informatics? Retrieved from https://www.nursingeducation.org/what-are-the-opportunities-in-nursing-informatics/

Nurse.com. (n.d.). What is nursing informatics? Importance, roles, and skills. Retrieved from https://www.nurse.com/what-is-nursing-informatics-importance-roles-and-skills/

Nurse informaticists bridge the gap between clinical teams and technology, optimizing workflows, EHRs, and data-driven decision-making. Their expertise enhances OR efficiency, reduces errors, and improves patient outcomes. As demand grows, investing in nurse informatics is essential for seamless digital integration.