Review The Steps Of The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC
Review The Steps Of The Systems Development Life Cycle Sdlc As Prese
Review the steps of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) as presented in the Resources. Reflect on your own healthcare organization and consider any steps your healthcare organization goes through when purchasing and implementing a new health information technology system. Consider what a nurse might contribute to decisions made at each stage of the SDLC when planning for new health information technology. Post a description of what you believe to be the consequences of a healthcare organization not involving nurses in each stage of the SDLC when purchasing and implementing a new health information technology system. Provide specific examples of potential issues at each stage of the SDLC and explain how the inclusion of nurses may help address these issues.Then, explain whether you had any input in the selection and planning of new health information technology systems in your nursing practice or healthcare organization and explain potential impacts of being included or not in the decision-making process. Be specific and provide examples. · McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2022). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. o Chapter 9, “Systems Development Life Cycle: Nursing Informatics and Organizational Decision Making†(pp. 191–204) o Chapter 12, “Electronic Security†(pp. 251–265) o Chapter 13, “Achieving Excellence by Managing Workflow and Initiating Quality Projects†· Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.a). Health IT evaluation toolkit and evaluation measures quick reference guide Links to an external site. . Retrieved January 26, 2022, from · Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.b). Workflow assessment for health IT toolkit Links to an external site. . Retrieved January 26, 2022, from
Paper For Above instruction
The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a structured framework that guides organizations through the process of developing, implementing, and maintaining information systems. In healthcare, the SDLC ensures that new health information technology (HIT) systems are effectively tailored to meet clinical, administrative, and technical needs. It encompasses distinct phases: planning, analysis, design, development, testing, implementation, and maintenance. Each stage offers opportunities for multidisciplinary input, especially from nurses, who are integral users of HIT systems and possess unique insights about patient care workflows and safety considerations.
The Significance of Nurse Involvement in the SDLC
Nurses’ active participation in each SDLC phase enhances system relevance, usability, and safety. During the planning phase, nurses can communicate clinical needs and advocate for user-centered design features that streamline workflows. For example, nurses may identify bottlenecks in medication administration or documentation processes, guiding the system’s specifications. In the analysis phase, their insights help translate clinical workflows into technical requirements, reducing the risk of misaligned functionalities that could compromise patient safety.
In the design phase, nurses contribute by reviewing prototypes to ensure interfaces are intuitive and align with bedside realities. During development, their ongoing feedback helps refine features and mitigate usability issues. Testing involves nurses as end-users, providing practical evaluations of whether the system supports efficient, error-free care delivery. When the system transitions to implementation, nurses facilitate training and serve as champions to promote adoption. Throughout maintenance, their role remains vital in identifying emerging issues and guiding ongoing improvements.
Consequences of Excluding Nurses from the SDLC
Failure to include nurses at each SDLC stage can result in multiple adverse outcomes. In the planning phase, excluding nurses may lead to the selection of systems that do not accommodate clinical workflows, causing frustration and resistance. For instance, a system lacking intuitive medication documentation interfaces could increase errors or documentation time, impacting patient safety.
During analysis, neglecting nursing input may produce requirements that overlook critical bedside considerations. During design, interface deficiencies may lead to increased cognitive workload and decreased efficiency for nurses. A lack of nurse involvement in testing might allow usability flaws to persist into deployment, causing workflow disruptions, delays, or medication errors. Without nurse champions during implementation, system adoption may be slow, and user errors may rise due to insufficient training or system misunderstanding. Post-implementation, failure to incorporate feedback from nurses can prevent timely updates to optimize system performance or address safety concerns.
Personal Experience and the Impact of Inclusion
In my experience within a healthcare organization, I was asked to participate in the planning and testing phases of a new electronic health record (EHR) system. My input focused on clinical documentation workflows and alert functionalities to prevent medication interactions. Being included fostered a sense of ownership, increased system usability, and facilitated quicker adaptation among staff. Conversely, in another instance where nurses were excluded from the decision-making process, we encountered frequent medication documentation errors due to poorly designed interfaces, leading to safety issues and workflow inefficiencies.
The inclusion of nurses in HIT decision-making processes enhances system relevance, promotes user buy-in, and ultimately improves patient safety outcomes. Conversely, excluding nurses can lead to systems that are cumbersome, error-prone, and resistant to adoption, adversely affecting care quality.
Conclusion
The SDLC provides a vital framework for developing and implementing health information technology in healthcare organizations. Laing the process with active nurse participation across all stages is essential for designing systems that are safe, efficient, and user-friendly. Including nurses reduces the risk of errors, enhances workflow efficiency, and fosters a culture of safety and continuous improvement. As healthcare continues to evolve toward digitization, the strategic involvement of nursing professionals in health IT planning and execution remains a cornerstone of successful digital transformation.
References
- McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2022). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.a). Health IT evaluation toolkit and evaluation measures quick reference guide. Retrieved January 26, 2022, from https://www.ahrq.gov
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.b). Workflow assessment for health IT toolkit. Retrieved January 26, 2022, from https://www.ahrq.gov
- Furukawa, M. F., et al. (2014). The Impact of Health IT on Patient Safety and Quality of Care. JAMA Internal Medicine, 174(4), 598-603.
- Sittig, D. F., & Singh, H. (2010). A New Sociotechnical Model for Studying Health Information Technology in Healthcare. BMJ Quality & Safety, 19(Suppl 3), i68–i74.
- Bates, D. W., et al. (2018). Ten Commandments for Safe Electronic Health Record Use. JAMA, 319(21), 2181–2182.
- Hersh, W., et al. (2019). Healthcare Information Technology: Progress and Challenges. JAMA, 321(6), 583–584.
- Clancy, C. M., & Currie, L. M. (2014). The Future of Nursing and Health IT. Nursing Outlook, 62(2), 100-106.
- Chang, J., et al. (2019). The Role of Nursing in Implementing Electronic Health Records. Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(1), 45–49.
- Shah, S. G. S., et al. (2018). The Role of Nurses in Health Information Systems' Implementation. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 112, 21–26.