WISECARE

• Professor Walter Sermeus
  

  Kath. Universiteit Leuven
  Centre of Health Services & Nursing Research Kapucijnenvoer 35/4 B-3000 Leuven Belgium	tel: 32-16-336972 fax: 32-16-336970 Walter.sermeus@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
  url:

The goal of WISECARE is to systematically exploit clinical nursing data stored in electronic patient records. Electronic patient records have been used so far primarily for interactional purposes and individual patient care. In the WISECARE project, data in the electronic patient record, are exploited for clinical and resource management. This will allow a shift from individual knowledge to knowledge sharing what in the end will lead to better patient care.

Sharing the experiences and the database with other institutions, will lead to the development of a knowledge base of "best practices" in nursing care. This allows participants to compare and measure their performances against best practices of other institutions. Networking will be supported by advanced technology.

The project uses a workflow information model. In WISECARE the diversity of the patient population, the variability of care, patient outcomes and nursing resources are quantified and made visible. WISECARE meets the needs of many nurse managers in Europe dealing with questions of nursing workload and nurse staffing for better quality care.

The validation and demonstration of WISECARE focuses on oncology care. The European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) is actively involved in this project. Five European sites will participate in the verification phase. Validation will take place in up to another five sites.