The 2016 Summer Institute in Nursing Informatics (SINI), held July 20 to 22, marked the 26th year for this pioneering conference. Once again, hundreds of nurses and other informatics professionals convened on the campus of the University of Maryland School of Nursing in Baltimore or via live Web streaming to celebrate this event, attend educational sessions, and network with colleagues. A unique addition was the introduction of the "Mini-SINI," which provided a new forum for registrants to meet as a group in their own healthcare organizations, view Web-cast lectures, and participate in discussion and activities. With support from sponsors such as Orion Health, Infor Healthcare, UMBC Health IT Graduate Program, and the University of Maryland Medical Center, SINI 2016 explored innovations in healthcare informatics across the spectrum of care; the impact of informatics on quality, safety, and outcomes; and health information exchange and interoperability.
Two new preconference workshops were very popular this year. Eun-Shim Nahm, PhD, RN, FAAN, Kathleen Charters, PhD, RN, Kristin Seidl, PhD, RN, and Charles Gabrial, MS, facilitated a hands-on workshop on data analytics, providing a toolkit on how to use analytics in practice. A Nursing Informatics Certification Review course, a concurrent offering, was presented by Charlotte Seckman, PhD, RN, of the University of Maryland, and Marisa Wilson, DNSc, MHSc, CPHIMS, RN-BC, from the University of Alabama. National leaders in the field of informatics provided insight and direction through plenary sessions and distinguished lectures throughout the week.
Mary Alice Annecharico, MS, RN, senior vice president and chief information officer at Henry Ford Health System, opened the conference with an exciting key note address on network integration of information technology. At the end of the day, Bonnie Westra, PhD, RN, associate professor, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, shared insights on big data at the interdisciplinary level to improve care. Oliver Degnan, senior vice president of product and development at IBM Watson Health, Continuum of Care, opened Day 2 with a discussion about computational healthcare and data-driven analytics. Ann O'Brien, MSN, RN, senior director of clinical informatics at KPIT Care Delivery Business Information Office, opened Day 3 with practical thoughts on transforming information systems to meet enterprise-wide goals. The conference closed with Mary Beth Mitchell, MSN, RN, chief nursing information officer, Texas Health Resources, providing the end-note address on informatics leadership in a dynamic healthcare environment.
Interspersed with the distinguished lectures were 36 invited and peer-reviewed podium presentations and 27 peer-reviewed poster presentations. Participants could choose from four different concurrent tracks to meet their learning needs. A special track for informatics novices was offered for those who were new to the profession and wanted to learn essential knowledge and skill sets for clinical informatics. In addition, experts presented and facilitated think tanks that explored a community planning model as a foundation for bridging information gaps and addressing integration across care settings.
Participants enjoyed networking and social events that included a welcome luncheon with roundtable discussions on current and emerging topics; a networking reception followed by a tour of Davidge Hall, the nation's oldest medical school building; a buffet luncheon during the exhibitor event; and a social event reception with live music and food.
Overall, the essence of SINI is found in the commitment to provide quality educational content, expert presenters, and opportunities for participants to network in a collegial environment. In addition, we received numerous excellent abstracts that were carefully reviewed and scored by an 18-member planning committee. Awards were given to the highest-rated abstracts for posters and podium presentations for research and practice along with a people's choice award selected by attendees. The award-winning abstracts follow.