SCANNER TECHNOLOGY FOR DATA-BASED DECISION-MAKING

Nurse executives must support decisions with quality data. Scanning te chnology can help support administration, performance improvement, edu cation, and research. Using any type of information technology require s consideration of how data are to be acquired, stored, transformed, a nd presented. The costs of scanner systems vary widely depending on th e options selected. The hardware needed includes a scanner, personal c omputer, and a printer. The cost of software to create scanner forms r anges from $600 to $4,000. Vendors can also produce customized scanabl e forms instead of purchasing software to develop forms internally. Th e most significant cost savings associated with a scanner system is el iminating the need for data entry personnel. Quality data can help gui de nurse executives' decisions and provide greater control over patien t outcomes.