viii
ographic locations, medical diagnoses, socio-economic ranges, spiritual beliefs, ethnicity, and cultural
values. It exists in the public domain. That indicates
that the structure, terms, definitions, and codes are
not held under copyright, but are open source and
have no license fee. However, the terms and structure
must be used as published and accompanied by a reliable source (Martin, 2005; Omaha System Web site,
2014).
Although the Omaha System continues to be
used in some paper-and-pen documentation, its
use in electronic health records (EHRs) has increased dramatically. Adopting EHRs as a tool to standardize clinical data, track the quality of care, and
generate measurable outcome reports is increasing
globally. EHRs are longitudinal collections of clinical,
demographic, laboratory, and other data stored in
a computer-readable format. In order to transform
data into meaningful information, point-of-care or
interface terminologies such as the Omaha System,
and reference terminologies such as SNOMED CT®
and LOINC® are needed. Because the Omaha System
has been incorporated into both of the previous reference terminologies, data can be exchanged more
efficiently (Martin, Monsen, Bowles, 2011; Martin,
Utterback, 2014).
PREFACE
1
Adoption of the Omaha System continues to escalate. Multidisciplinary clinicians understand the
need to improve practice, documentation, and information management. If they use the Omaha System
accurately and consistently, they can describe and
quantify their practice, and promote communication
with members of the care team, family members, and
the public.
Karen S. MARTIN, RN, MSN, FAAN
Health Care Consultant, Martin Associates, Omaha,
Nebraska, USA
REFERENCES
Erdogan, S., Secginli, S., Cosansu, G., Nahcivan, N.O., Esin, M.N., Aktas, E., & Monsen, K. A. (2013, June). Using the Omaha System to
describe health problems, interventions, and outcomes in home
care in Istanbul, Turkey. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing,
31(6), 290-298.
Martin, K. S. (2005). The Omaha System: A key to practice, documentation, and information management, Reprinted 2nd ed. Omaha, NE:
Health Connections Press.
Martin, K.S, Monsen KA, & Bowles KH. (2011, January/February).
The Omaha System and meaningful use: Applications for practice,
education, and research. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 29
(1), 52-58.
Martin, K. S, & Utterback KB. (2014). Home health and related community-based systems. In R. Nelson, N. Staggers, Health informatics: An interprofessional approach (147-163). St. Louis: Elsevier.
Omaha System Web site. (2014). Available at: http://www.omahasystem.org.