Role of a graduate-level nurse in Technology Implementation

Role of a graduate-level nurse in Technology 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.

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.

The Assignment: (2-3 pages)

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

SAMPLE ANSWER

Transforming Nursing and Healthcare through Technology

Introduction

Leadership is important for the implementation of systems in the nursing practice. Nurse leaders are responsible for taking action to achieve preferred results, providing guidance for solving complex issues and creating structures that facilitate processes and healthcare delivery (Marie, Rokstad, Vatne & Selbaek, 2014). During the introduction of new systems, nurse leaders participating in interdisciplinary teams play a crucial role in the design, planning, analysis, implementation and evaluation stages of the systems. Nurses’ involvement in all phases of the Systems Development Life Cycle during the introduction of new systems and technologies facilitates a smooth transition of the technology use and increases nurses’ participation.

Role of a graduate-level nurse in Technology Implementation

Nurses’ Involvement in the Planning and Requirements Definition

Nurse leaders play a critical role in the selection, implementation and adoption of technologies by healthcare facilities. Nurse leaders achieve this objective by creating a culture of shared decision making and encouraging staff members to participate in the technology planning process (Qin et al. 2017). The nurse leader should advocate for the appropriate technology to be selected and influence top management about practice issues and infrastructure needs. During the planning stage, nurse leaders partner with key vendors to manage technology decisions. Additionally, they offer multidirectional input and provide feedback to top executives from staff and interdisciplinary colleagues. Working with the interdisciplinary team, the nurse leader is responsible for determining project requirements, including both clinical and technical requirements. In this phase, contact information is clarified, facility backup is determined and a training facility identified (Weckman & Janzen, 2010). The nurse leader is also responsible for selecting the roll-out site for the nursing documentation system and establishing training needs for all stakeholders affected. The planning stage is the most important stage in the Systems Development Life Cycle.

Nurses’ Involvement in the Analysis Stage

Nurses are better placed to serve as leaders during the introduction of new technologi+es. Their involvement in all stages of the health information technology design and implementation has positive impacts on the SDLC process (Waneka & Spetz, 2010). In the system analysis stage, the nurse leader is responsible for considering all the functional requirements of the new system being implemented. Additionally, the nurse leader should analyze the needs of the end users to ensure that the system being developed meets all their expectations. Nurse leaders are in touch with all nurses in the facility. Therefore, they are best placed to work on the source of the problem. Being part of the implementation team, nurse leaders should provide possible solutions to the identified problems and identify whether the functional requirements of the system are in line with the facility’s goals (Waneka & Spetz, 2010). The nurse leader should also design a timeline for all the parties involved in the system.

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Nurses’ Involvement in the Design Stage

The design phase describes the necessary specifications and operations of the system that are designed to satisfy user requirements. The nurse leader plays a critical role in the design stage since they represent the end users of the nursing documentation system. In this role, nurse leaders provide specific needs for the proposed system (Weckman & Janzen, 2010). The information provided by the nurse leader is used when essential components and structures are considered. System processes and procedures are also set in this stage. Nurses’ involvement in this stage makes the system simpler and effective for nurses to use. The nurse leader’s involvement in the design phase will prevent early system problems and save on time and resources (Weckman & Janzen, 2010). The nurse leader acts as a bridge between the nurses and the technical team thus avoiding technology-related stresses.

Nurses’ Involvement in the Implementation State

The nurse leader is in an excellent position to provide feedback to the implementation team regarding the system during the trial periods and after the system is implemented. The nurse leader together with other members of the implementation team should provide support throughout the implementation process. During this stage, the new components of the program are obtained and installed. The users of the system are then trained in its use. To facilitate the training process, the nurse leader must identify resource trainers; locate training space and other training resources (Rokstad et al. 2014). The system is then tested and adjustments made. Feedback is essential at this stage and the nurse leader must engage with other nurses to obtain their feedback. After testing and training is completed, the system is deployed and incorporated into the facility. System deployment can be done in phases where it is slowly introduced as the old system is phased out. The success of the system is highly dependent on effective communication between nurses and the system implementation team.

Role of a graduate-level nurse in Technology Implementation

Nurses’ Involvement in Providing Post-Implementation Support

After the system is implemented, it should be evaluated to determine its overall performance. To facilitate this process, nurse leaders should organize focus groups with care nurses to determine whether their concerns were met (Rokstad et al 2014). On-site support should be provided for users who are not completely comfortable with the system. System changes should also be implemented and other new requirements deployed. In the case of residual errors, the nurse leader in collaboration with the implementation team should collaborate to resolve them.

References

Marie, A., Rokstad, M., Vatne, S. & Selbaek, G. (2014). The Role of Leadership in the Implementation of Person-Centred Care using Dementia Care Mapping: a Study in Three Nursing Homes. Journal of Nursing Management, 23(1). Doi: 10.1111/jonm.12072

Rokstad, A.M., Vatne, S., Engedal, K. & Selbaek, G. (2014). The Role of Leadership in the Implementation of Person-centered Care Using Dementia Care Mapping: A Study in Three Nursing Homes. Journal of Nursing Management, 23(1). Doi: 10.1111/jonm.12072

Qin, Y. Et al. (2017). The Effect of Nursing Participation in the Design of a Critical Care Information System: A Case Study in a Chinese Hospital. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 17.

Weckman, H. & Janzen, S. (2010). The Critical Nature of Early Nursing Involvement for Introducing New Technologies. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 14(2). Doi: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol14No02Man02

Waneka, R. & Spetz, J. (2010). Hospital Information Technology Systems’ Impact on Nurses and Nursing Care. Journal of Nursing Administration, 40(12), 509-514. Doi: 10.1097/NNA.0b013e3181fc1a1c

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