Nursing Informatics Competency Assessment Tool (NiCAT 2.0)

An express license for this technology is available via JHTV's online licensing portal.

Value Proposition

• Novel informatics assessment tool for bedside nurses at baseline
• Improved upon by feedback from current users and pilot data from program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
• Relevant subscores to specify future areas of focus in improving informatics competency 

Unmet Need

• The use of informatics tools is critical to the daily activities of nurses in providing safe patient care, improving quality and efficiency, and reducing healthcare costs. However, the vast diversity of nurses and their unique educational preparations proves a challenge to develop relevant and individualized education and training programs for incoming nurses. Previously, tools to assess baseline informatics skills were non-existent; therefore, there was and remains a strong need for a novel informatics competency assessment to allow for effective nursing education.

Technology Description

• Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed and updated a standardized tool that help establish baseline competency of informatics tools for bedside nurses. The original iteration was developed based on the American Nurses Association’s Standards and Scope of Practice and Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform, and was updated based on constructive feedback and pilot data. The tool assesses computer literacy, informatics literacy, and informatics management skills and scores the total into several segments of complete literacy from novice to expert.

Stage of Development

• Updated assessment version has been developed.

Data Availability

• Data available upon request.