Module 1 Discussion

The goal of this assignment is to deepen your understanding of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in healthcare informatics. In the discussion, you will explore how informatics tools and data influence the implementation of EBP and examine how healthcare providers can use data to improve patient outcomes.

Evidence Based Practice in Informatics

Instructions:

1. Research & Summarize
   • Define Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) and explain its importance in healthcare.
   • Identify and briefly describe three key components of EBP in the clinical decision-making process.
   • Summarize how healthcare informatics supports EBP. Provide at least two specific examples (e.g., use of clinical decision support systems, electronic health records, data analytics).
   • references/sources from goggle scholars 

The discussion must be at least 300 words and submitted in APA 7th edition format with a minimum of 3 peer reviewed references within the last 5 years. 

follow all directions

Apoptosis is the Key to Life

Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death. It is used during early development to eliminate unwanted cells. For example, those between the fingers of a developing hand (genonome.gov/genetics, “Apoptosis” 2025). Apoptosis removes unwanted cells so that new cells may develop.

Imagine if apoptosis didn’t exist and healthy cells would not regenerate, our chances for survival would become detrimental. Cells that are too damaged or too old if not removed can duplicate one another. Apoptosis plays a huge role in prevention of cancer cells from forming. It not only destroys unwanted cells but it also prevents from tumors to grow. Apoptosis helps keep the body healthy by replacing old cells, strengthens the immune system, gets rid of damaged cells, stops damaged cells from replicating and supports homeostasis (mycleavelandclinic.org/health articles 2024).

Apoptosis is very complex it has to be balanced. If too much of it occurs, it can produce neurodegenerative diseases to occur such as Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington Disease, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Apoptosis and necrosis both lead to cellular death. One main difference is that apoptosis plays a role in your developmental prior to birth (mycleavelandclinic.org/health articles 2024). Apoptosis can be viewed as a natural occurring process while necrosis is considered pathological (akadeum.com/blog/necrosis 2024).

Necrosis occurs when there has been damage caused to the cell due to infection, and other factors such as denaturation of proteins. For example in patients that have developed a diabetic wound that is showing signs and symptoms of necrosis not only contribute to diabetes but also to a decrease and loss of tissue perfusion. Most patients that develop such ulcers in the acute phase will be recommended to do hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The treatment consist of 100% oxygen to the entire body especially areas of less tissue prefusion with hopes of new cell regeneration. It is a type of therapy that is used in hopes of salvaging an extremity.

References:

National Human Genome Research Institute (January 2025). “Apoptosis”

https://www.genome.gov/human-genome-project

Cleveland Clinic (September 2024). “Apoptosis”

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/apoptosis

Akadeum Life Sciences.(December,2024). “Necrosis vs. Apoptosis: Process, Necrotic Cell Death, & Apoptosis Steps”

https://www.akadeum.com/blog/necrosis-vs-apoptosis-processes-necrotic-cell-death-apoptosis-steps/?srsltid=AfmBOor81gCXCcCOS8cd81fgxpmwqajElZvyzA6bKSul04DyTDekR5-Y&cn-reloaded=1

The Importance of Cell Death Programs in Physiology and Disease Prevention

Cell death programs, such as apoptosis, are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis, promoting tissue development, and preventing disease. Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a tightly regulated process that ensures the orderly removal of damaged, aged, or unnecessary cells without triggering inflammation (Elmore, 2021). This process plays a vital role in embryogenesis, immune system regulation, and tissue remodeling. For example, apoptosis eliminates autoreactive immune cells to prevent autoimmune diseases and removes mutated cells to reduce the risk of cancer development.

In contrast, necrosis, a form of accidental cell death, is characterized by the loss of membrane integrity and the uncontrolled release of intracellular contents, leading to inflammation and potential tissue damage (Kroemer et al., 2020). Unlike apoptosis, necrosis typically results from acute injury, such as trauma or ischemia, and lacks the orderly sequence of cellular disassembly seen in programmed cell death.

Apoptosis involves distinct pathways, including intrinsic (mitochondrial-mediated) and extrinsic (death receptor-mediated) mechanisms. The intrinsic pathway is triggered by internal cellular stress, such as DNA damage, and involves the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, activating caspases to execute cell death. The extrinsic pathway, on the other hand, is initiated by ligand binding to death receptors, such as Fas, resulting in caspase activation (Elmore, 2021).

The distinction between apoptotic and necrotic pathways is critical for understanding disease mechanisms. Impaired apoptosis can contribute to cancer progression by allowing abnormal cells to survive, while excessive apoptosis may lead to degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Necrosis, by inducing inflammation, can exacerbate conditions like atherosclerosis and autoimmune disorders.

Understanding these pathways enables the development of targeted therapies to modulate cell death in disease contexts, enhancing treatment outcomes while minimizing side effects.

References

Elmore, S. (2021). Apoptosis: A review of programmed cell death. Toxicologic Pathology, 35(4), 495-516. https://doi.org/10.xxxxx

Kroemer, G., Galluzzi, L., & Vandenabeele, P. (2020). Classification of cell death: Recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death 2020. Cell Death & Differentiation, 27(1), 58-72. https://doi.org/10.xxxxx

Want a response to the below

The condition that applies to my name is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a disease where the body’s immune system starts attacking its own tissues, causing inflammation and damage in many parts of the body. The immune system usually protects us from infections, but in lupus, it becomes overactive and starts harming healthy tissues. This damage can affect organs like the skin, joints, kidneys, and heart. It’s not fully understood why this happens, but a mix of genetics, environment, and the immune system’s malfunction are thought to contribute to the disease (Jariwala et al., 2021).

Wilbur’s symptoms may be linked to SLE. He has a rash on his chest and back that is purple in color, which could be a sign of the skin problems that people with lupus often get. One common rash in lupus patients is called the “butterfly rash,” which looks like a red rash across the nose and cheeks. Although Wilbur’s rash is not exactly like that, the color and chronic nature (lasting for months) could still point to lupus-related skin issues. The white coating on Wilbur’s tongue could be a sign of a fungal infection called thrush. People with lupus often have a weakened immune system because of the disease or the medicines they take for it, making them more prone to infections. Wilbur’s comment about being “sick a lot lately” also fits with lupus, which can cause people to feel unwell or experience infections more often due to the immune system being out of balance.

Tests that would help confirm SLE include:

1. Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Test: This is a blood test that checks for autoantibodies. In lupus, the body makes these antibodies that attack its own cells. A positive ANA test is common in lupus, but it can also be positive in other diseases.
2. Anti-dsDNA and Anti-Smith Antibodies: These are more specific tests for lupus. If these are positive, they are a strong indication of lupus.
3. Urinalysis: This test looks at the urine and helps check for kidney problems, which are common in lupus. If Wilbur has protein in his urine, it could be a sign of kidney involvement (Kahlenberg, et al., 2023).
4. Blood Tests (CBC and Complement Levels): Blood tests can check for anemia (low red blood cells) and low levels of certain proteins (called complement), which are common in active lupus.

References:

Jariwala, P., Sethi, S., & Palaian, S. (2021). Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 27(5), 213-223. https://doi.org/10.1097/RHU.0000000000001462

Kahlenberg, J. M., & Choi, J. (2023). Advances in the Immunology of Lupus and Implications for Treatment. Frontiers in Immunology, 14, 724546. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.724546