Successful Implementation of Electronic Health Information Technology
Since the inception of the HITECH Act, health organizations have faced increased pressure to update their health information technology (HIT) resources. As discussed last week, many believe that the increased use of electronic health records and the quick and efficient communication afforded by HIT can lead to improved quality of patient care. Yet there are significant costs associated with implementing such systems. What can organizations do to ensure that the correct system is selected and that the system will be appropriate for those required to use it? Who should be involved in those decisions?
This week introduces the systems development life cycle and discusses how it can guide an organization through the complexities of adopting a new HIT system. In this Discussion, you are asked to consider the role of nurses in the SDLC process.
Role of Nurses in the SDLC Process
The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Process involves five steps. Planning is important because it gives direction to the project in general. Analysis involves evaluating requirements and evaluating alternatives. Design of the new system involves development of the system’s operations and architecture (Weir et al, 2007). Implementation of the new system involves putting the new system into practice through testing, customization and installation. Lastly, post-implementation support involves training and provision of resources to ensure that the project is approved and accepted by the staff.
Nurses play a crucial role in the planning stage because they provide opinions and suggestions through open communication, involvement, discussions and collaboration so that the new system meets their needs and those of patients (Glancey et al, 1990). In the second stage, nurses participate by being involved in decision making in which alternatives are analysed. They receive communication and provide their opinions (Lapointe & Rivard, 2005). In the design stage, the nurses provide information about the needs of patients and participate in designing the architecture and components of the new system because they understand the needs of patients (Patterson, 2006). The nurses also participate in implementation of the project by provided human resources and skills to implement the project successfully without resistance.
Working in a small hospital, I experienced the implementation of a new hospital records system technology. All nurses participated in the development of the new system. It involved planning, designing, implementation and evaluation (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012). In all these steps, nurses were summoned in meetings before the start of each stage so that they can provide their opinions and human support.
References List
Glancey, T.S., Brooks, G.M., Vaughan, V.S. (1990). Hospital information systems. Nursing’s integral role. Comput Nurs. 1990, 8(2), 55-59.
Koppel, R., Wetterneck, T., Telles, J., & Karsh, T. (2008). Workarounds to Barcode Medication Administration Systems: Their Occurrences, Causes, and Threats to Patient Safety. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 15, 408-423.
Lapointe, L., & Rivard. (2005). A multilevel Model of Resistance to Information Technology Implementation. Management Information Systems Quarterly, 29(3), 461-492.
Patterson, E. (2006). Compliance with Intended Use of Bar Code Medication Administration in Acute and Long-Term Care: An Observational Study. Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 48(1), 15-22.
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2012). Public health nursing: Population-centered health care in the community. Maryland Heights, Mo: Elsevier Mosby.
Weir, C., Nebekar, J., & Hicken, B. (2007). A Cognitive Task Analysis of Information Management Strategies in a Computerized Provider Order Entry Environment. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 14(1), 65-75.
