NURS 6051: Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Information Technology

THE ROLE OF THE NURSE INFORMATICIST IN SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

Assume you are a nurse manager on a unit where a new nursing documentation system is to be implemented. You want to ensure that the system will be usable and acceptable for the nurses impacted. You realize a nurse leader must be on the implementation team.

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To Prepare:

• Review the steps of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and reflect on the scenario presented.
• Consider the benefits and challenges associated with involving a nurse leader on an implementation team for health information technology.

Review of Health Care Issues

The Assignment: (2-3 pages not including the title and reference page)

In preparation of filling this role, develop a 2- to 3-page role description for a graduate-level nurse to guide his/her participation on the implementation team. The role description should be based on the SDLC stages and tasks and should clearly define how this individual will participate in and impact each of the following steps:

• Planning and requirements definition
• Analysis
• Design of the new system
• Implementation
• Post-implementation support
• Use APA format and include a title page and reference page.
• Use the Safe Assign Drafts to check your match percentage before submitting your work.

Transformation of Nursing and Healthcare Through Information Technology (NURS 6051)

The healthcare industry experiences constant change and digitalization, leading to the adoption of various systems. McGonigle and Mastrian (2022) point out that the success of system adoption and integration depends on a healthcare organization’s ability to incorporate these systems into its daily operations. However, in recent times, the significance of the system development and implementation process has become equally critical for the success of program or system adoption and effective integration into healthcare delivery. Utilizing the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) model has enabled developers to analyze system requirements, facilitating the active involvement of key stakeholders in ensuring successful adoption and implementation. Nurses play a pivotal role in determining the success of software adoption and integration into healthcare delivery as they actively participate in the SDLC stages. Wang et al. (2019) have identified that employing the five stages of the SDLC model offers a straightforward, step-by-step approach for nurses to evaluate progress and address set objectives. Given their position in healthcare, nurses have expanded their roles beyond bedside care to engage in system implementation. This paper outlines the responsibilities of nurse informaticists in system development and implementation, which encompass planning and requirements definition, analysis, system design, implementation, and post-implementation stages.

Planning and Requirements Definition

Right from the start, your active involvement as a representative of the nursing unit in implementing the new documentation system is crucial. This participation in the planning stage enhances the chances of successful adoption and implementation. As a nursing unit representative, you will aid in identifying system goals and objectives in alignment with both the organization’s and nursing unit’s needs. Importantly, your role in the planning stage will assist other team members from different units in identifying the correct system requirements, including data, users, and the overall system’s purpose. Dismissing the nurse’s role would result in a shaky foundation and numerous system flaws (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, n.d.a).

Analysis

In this second stage, as a nurse leader and representative of the unit, you need to understand that this stage focuses on the functional aspects of the new system. It’s your responsibility to recognize and highlight the benefits of the proposed system in comparison to the current one. As a nurse leader, you play a crucial role in the successful implementation of technology to improve communication and collaboration throughout the process (McKay & Vanaskie, 2018). The goal is to ensure that the transition from the current system to the new one brings added value and benefits to the unit. During this stage, you should make your team members aware that the adoption of the new system should be driven by the challenges faced by the healthcare system in which your nursing unit is a part.

Design of the New System

In the design phase of the new system, where IT experts map out the system based on organizational needs, your role as a nursing unit representative is to provide suggestions for specific operational procedures that should be integrated into the new system. While IT experts handle the interface, software, databases, and hardware, your role is to be vigilant about the components and how they impact your unit’s operations. Essentially, you act as the unit’s eyes to ensure that the new documentation system is created from a nurse’s perspective, ensuring it will be usable and acceptable when handed over to the operational team.

Implementation

Your contribution during the implementation phase focuses on putting the system into practice. As primary system users, nurses are trained to use and integrate it into their care delivery practices. Your responsibility is to ensure that the system functions as expected. It’s essential to recognize that your leadership ensures that the new documentation system aligns with the clinical and organizational needs identified earlier (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, n.d.b).

Post-Implementation Support

The final stage, post-implementation support, requires the involvement of the nurse representative, just like in any other stage. During this phase, testing and improvements are made to the system based on identified flaws. According to McGonigle and Mastrian (2022), the participation of a nurse leader at this stage is critical as it’s the phase where essential feedback is provided. As a unit representative, you act as the unit’s eyes and ask critical questions regarding identified issues and necessary adjustments. It’s important to understand that the functionality of the new system is vital for the unit’s and organization’s efficient operations. Therefore, you must be vigilant and test for any issues or glitches that need to be resolved before the system is put into use.

In conclusion, nurses should play a central role in the SDLC process, particularly in the adoption and implementation of a new documentation system. Their active involvement is essential, and having competent leaders participating in each SDLC stage ensures this. Given their position in the healthcare delivery process, nurse informaticists bridge the gap between IT systems and care delivery needs, and their insights at every stage should inform the entire process.

References

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.a). Health IT evaluation toolkit and evaluation measures quick reference guide. https://digital.ahrq.gov/health-it-evaluation-toolkit

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.b). Workflow assessment for health IT toolkit.  https://digital.ahrq.gov/health-it-tools-and-resources/evaluation-resources/workflow-assessment-health-it-toolkit

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2022). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

McKay, C., & Vanaskie, K. (2018). Partnering for success: The role of the nurse leader in Health Information Technology implementation for coordination of care. Nurse Leader, 16(6), 385–388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2018.07.012

Risling, T. L., & Risling, D. E. (2020). Advancing nursing participation in user-centered design. Journal of research in nursing: JRN, 25(3), 226–238. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987120913590

Wang, J., Gephart, S. M., Mallow, J., & Bakken, S. (2019). Models of collaboration and dissemination for nursing informatics innovations in the 21st century. Nursing Outlook, 67(4), 419–432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2019.02.003

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