Week 9 Discussion: The Inclusion Of Nurses In System Develop

Wk 9 Discussionthe Inclusion Of Nurses In The Systems Development Life

The media introduction to this module emphasizes the vital role nurses can play in the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Despite this, nurses often do not see themselves as contributors to the development of new health systems, which can lead to detrimental outcomes when their insights are excluded. When healthcare organizations plan to purchase and implement new health information technology (HIT) systems, each stage of the SDLC—system planning, analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance—presents opportunities for nurse involvement. The exclusion of nurses from these stages can cause significant issues, such as system designs that do not align with clinical workflows, leading to user frustration, decreased efficiency, and potential compromises in patient safety. For example, during system analysis, nurses can provide critical feedback on how data entry processes impact patient care, preventing workflow disruptions. Without nurse input during design, systems may lack user-friendly interfaces that fit clinical needs, increasing the risk of errors. During implementation, nurses can aid in staff training and troubleshooting, ensuring smooth adoption. Their absence may result in resistance to the new system or ineffective use, which hampers patient outcomes. In the maintenance phase, nurses’ ongoing feedback is essential for system updates that truly meet clinical demands. In my own practice, I was involved in the initial planning and testing of new electronic health records (EHR) systems; my inclusion helped highlight usability issues that clinicians face daily, resulting in a more functional system. Conversely, organizations that exclude nurses from these processes risk implementing systems that are ill-suited for real-world clinical environments, compromising both safety and care quality. Overall, involving nurses at each SDLC stage ensures the development of more effective, user-centered health IT systems that enhance patient care and safety.

Paper For Above instruction

In modern healthcare, the integration of technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing patient outcomes, streamlining workflows, and ensuring data accuracy. Nurses, as primary caregivers and integral members of healthcare teams, possess invaluable insights into clinical processes and patient interactions. Their inclusion in the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is critical for designing robust health information systems that truly serve the needs of frontline users and patients alike.

The SDLC comprises several stages: planning, analysis, design, development or implementation, and maintenance. Each phase is crucial in ensuring the development of functional and efficient health IT systems. Without active nurse participation, organizations risk developing systems that overlook practical clinical challenges, leading to various consequences detrimental to patient safety and workflow efficiency.

Consequences of Excluding Nurses from the SDLC

In the planning phase, excluding nurses can lead to a mismatch between the system's capabilities and actual clinical needs. For instance, if nurses are not involved in defining objectives, essential features like quick-access documentation or bedside charting may be overlooked, resulting in systems that are cumbersome or non-intuitive. This disconnect increases the likelihood of user resistance and reduces system adoption rates.

During the analysis stage, nurses' input is vital for identifying workflow bottlenecks and understanding the specific data needs at the patient care level. If ignored, system designers may create interfaces that are difficult to navigate or do not align with clinical routines, potentially delaying critical actions such as medication administration or vital sign documentation. For example, a poorly designed interface that requires excessive clicking could distract nurses from patient care while increasing the chance of errors.

The design phase benefits significantly from nurse involvement, particularly in usability testing. If nurses are not engaged, the system may feature layouts that are not user-friendly, increasing cognitive workload and fatigue. An example is an electronic medication administration record (eMAR) that is complicated to interpret, leading to medication errors or omissions.

Implementation and training are crucial stages where nurses can act as ambassadors and troubleshooters. Their absence during these stages can result in misunderstandings about system functionalities, leading to improper use or abandonment of the technology. For instance, if nurses are not involved in training sessions, they might find certain features challenging, reducing overall compliance and effectiveness.

In the maintenance phase, nurses’ feedback is essential to ensure the system evolves to meet changing clinical workflows. Failure to incorporate their ongoing insights can make systems obsolete quickly, reducing efficiency and possibly impairing patient safety. For example, unnoticed system bugs or workflow incompatibilities can persist if frontline staff are not involved in updates and modifications.

Real-world Implications and Personal Experience

In my own experience, I participated in the initial planning of a new electronic health record (EHR) system. My involvement enabled me to advocate for a more streamlined documentation process, which minimized charting time and enhanced data accuracy. This inclusion resulted in a system that integrated well into daily routines, ultimately improving patient safety and staff satisfaction. Conversely, in organizations where nurses were sidelined during system planning, I observed increased user frustration, workarounds that compromised safety, and decreased system utilization.

In conclusion, the exclusion of nurses at any stage of the SDLC can have significant repercussions, including increased error rates, workflow inefficiencies, and resistance to new systems. Ensuring nurse involvement throughout the SDLC fosters the development of user-centered, effective health IT systems that enhance patient safety, streamline clinical workflows, and improve overall healthcare quality.

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. https://www.ahrq.gov
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.b). Workflow assessment for health IT toolkit. https://www.ahrq.gov
• Louis, I. (2011, August 17). Systems development life cycle (SDLC). Retrieved from https://www.systemsdevelopment.com
• McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2022). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2022). Systems Development Life Cycle: Nursing Informatics and Organizational Decision Making. Chapter 9, pp. 191–204.
• Walden University. (2018). Interoperability, standards, and security [Video]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
• McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2022). Achieving excellence by managing workflow and initiating quality projects. Chapter 13.
• Silver, S. (2020). The importance of nurse involvement in health IT development. Journal of Nursing Administration, 50(4), 180-185.
• Johnson, L. & Smith, R. (2019). Nursing perspectives on health IT implementation. Journal of Healthcare Technology, 33(2), 45-52.