Propose A Nursing Informatics Project To Improve Patient Out

Propose a Nursing Informatics Project to Improve Patient Outcomes

The assignment: (4-5 pages not including the title and reference page): In a 4- to 5-page project proposal written to the leadership of American Psychiatric Association, propose a nursing informatics project for your organization that you advocate to improve patient outcomes or patient-care efficiency. Your project proposal should include the following: -Describe the project you propose. -Identify the stakeholders impacted by this project. -Explain the patient outcome(s) or patient -care efficiencies this project is aimed at improving and explain how this improvement would occur. Be specific and provide examples. -Identify the technologies required to implement this project and explain why. -Identify the project team (by roles) and explain how you would incorporate the nurse informaticist in the project team. -Use APA format and include a title page and reference page.

Paper For Above instruction

The rapid advancement of healthcare technology presents significant opportunities to enhance patient outcomes and streamline care delivery, especially within psychiatric settings. This proposal advocates for a nursing informatics project aimed at integrating an Electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) system within a psychiatric facility affiliated with the American Psychiatric Association. This initiative intends to improve medication safety, reduce administration errors, and enhance overall patient care efficiency through targeted technological and collaborative strategies.

The proposed project involves the full implementation of an electronic medication administration system tailored to the unique needs of psychiatric care. It encompasses the deployment of barcode scanning technology, electronic dose verification, and real-time documentation within the existing electronic health records (EHR) infrastructure. The objective is to make medication administration safer, more accurate, and better integrated into the patient's overall care plan, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes and operational efficiencies.

Stakeholders impacted by this project include psychiatric nurses, physicians, pharmacy staff, administrative leadership, IT personnel, and most importantly, the patients receiving care. Nursing staff will directly use the eMAR system during medication rounds, making their workflow more precise and less prone to errors. Physicians and pharmacists will gain access to real-time medication administration data to inform clinical decisions. Administrative leaders will monitor compliance and safety metrics, while IT personnel will manage system integration and security. Patients will benefit from reduced medication errors, timely interventions, and overall increased safety and satisfaction.

The targeted outcomes of this project are twofold: first, to decrease medication administration errors, which are prevalent in psychiatric settings due to manual processes; second, to improve the efficiency of medication delivery, reducing delays and documentation redundancies. For example, barcode scanning can verify patient identity and medication before administration, minimizing risks of wrong-patient or wrong-drug errors. Additionally, automating documentation reduces paperwork and allows nurses to spend more direct patient care time. Consequently, these improvements increase patient safety, enhance treatment adherence, and promote a positive care environment.

Technologies required include barcode scanning devices, integrated electronic medication administration systems, and robust Wi-Fi infrastructure to support real-time data transmission. The barcode scanning technology ensures accurate patient and medication verification, while the electronic system facilitates seamless documentation and alerts for allergies or contraindications. Implementing these technologies is crucial because it directly addresses common medication errors and enhances workflow efficiency. Furthermore, integration with existing EHR systems ensures consistency and accessibility of medication records across care providers.

The project team should comprise nursing leaders, informaticists, IT specialists, pharmacists, and clinical educators. The nurse informaticist plays a central role by serving as a liaison between clinical staff and technical teams, ensuring the system aligns with nursing workflows and patient safety standards. They also provide training, monitor system usability, and evaluate outcomes. Their expertise is essential for translating clinical needs into technological solutions and fostering acceptance among staff.

In conclusion, implementing an electronic medication administration system within psychiatric care settings holds considerable promise for enhancing patient safety and operational efficiency. By involving a multidisciplinary team—including the vital role of the nurse informaticist—this project can be effectively executed to meet the dual goals of improving patient outcomes and streamlining care processes, aligning with the American Psychiatric Association's mission to promote quality mental health care through innovative nursing practices.

References

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• McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. (2020). Guide to electronic medication administration. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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