WORK
Discussion: The Inclusion of Nurses in the Systems Development Life Cycle
In the media introduction to this module, it was suggested that you as a nurse have an important role in the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). With a focus on patient care and outcomes, nurses may not always see themselves as contributors to the development of new systems. However, as you may have observed in your own experience, exclusion of nurse contributions when implementing systems can have dire consequences.
In this Discussion, you will consider the role you might play in systems development and the ramifications of not being an active participant in systems development.
To Prepare:
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.
By Day 6 of Week 9
Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days, by offering additional thoughts regarding the examples shared, SDLC-related issues, and ideas on how the inclusion of nurses might have impacted the example described by your colleagues.
PLEASE INCLUDE 2 APA IN TEST CITATION AND REFERENCES IN EACH RESPONSE. RESPOND TO COLLEAGUE 1 AND 2 DISCUSSIONS
COLLEAGUE 1
The system development life cycle (SDLC) defines the different phases involves in designing a project, from the conceptualized stage to the maintenance. It is crucial to deliver efficient and effective information systems that fit the strategic business needs (Preston, 2021). SDLC has seven phases or stages: the planning stage (Conceptualization phase), Feasibility or requirement of analysis stage, design or prototyping stage, development stage, testing stage, implementation and integration phase, operation, and maintenance stage. The first step in solving a business problem is identifying the needs and addressing those needs. Nurses running the healthcare operations would be in the best position to determine what they need to be more efficient in doing their job (Weckman & Janzen, 2009).
When designing an application for nurses, it is essential to involve them from the planning stage as they are the ones to identify what clinical needs might benefit from the application of technology. Without the users' input, a system might fail, as the technical experts might not understand its workflow. Involving the nurses in the healthcare system is paramount to its adoption. Knowing how an application can solve a workflow problem is a big motivator for the users. Nurses need to understand new technology, so it is essential for technology experts to understand how the new technology will interface with its existing systems (Weckman & Janzen, 2009).
The system development lifecycle is an iterative process like the nursing process in designing a patient treatment plan. Nurses assess, diagnose, plan, implement, evaluate, and revise. If the project did not suit the purpose for which it developed or did not meet the patient's care need or if a new problem develops, the nurse would either revises and updates the plan or starts a new plan. Likewise, in the SDLC, a project plan is developed, implemented, evaluated, maintained, review or destroy if necessary (Mcgonigle & Mastrian, 2009). Therefore, involving nurses who work at the point of care in all phases of introducing a new technology facilitates a smooth transition to using the new technology and increases nurses' motivation to adopt the system (Weckman & Janzen, 2009).
The consequences of not involving Nurses in SLDC could lead to design flaws because the users understand the workflow. If a technology is not addressing the problem for which it is built, it is as good as not having the solution to the identified need. Also, there will be a lack of motivation to adopt the new technology. If nurses are involved in all the SLDC phases, they will serve as motivators to others. Adjusting to the new technology before full transitioning helps speed up the training and adoption process while reducing frustration and delays, impacting patient care. Lastly, if technology is rejected due to users' unacceptance, it will ultimately fail (Weckman & Janzen, 2009).
COLLEAGUE 2
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 include, medical error: Medical error reduction is an international issue. The Institute of Medicine's report on medical errors dramatically called attention to dangers inherent in the U.S. medical care system that might cause up to 98,000 deaths in hospitals and cost approximately $38 billion per year. In the United Kingdom, the chief medical officer of the newly established National Patient Safety Agency estimates that “850,000 incidents and errors occur in the NHS each year(nih.gov).
Planning Phase: challenges on this unit included high non-compliance with initial system procedures due to problems related to the wireless network, computer freezes, dead zones, and internal network interface cards not being strong enough to work with our system. This unit also had the need for additional electrical power. Additionally, a crowded and aging infrastructure, with inherent space limitations and two-to four-bed patient rooms, produced unique problems regarding equipment storage and location, privacy issues and staff workspace challenges(nursingworld.org).
Implementation Phase: During system implementation, nurses frequently voiced frustration with the lack of integration of the systems. They also expressed many concerns regarding the numerous changes in the planned improvements. Again, careful listening to the nurses’ comments was crucial. It was important to address these concerns because these technology changes in practice have the potential to create a ripple effect in other aspects of their work flow leading to unanticipated and undesired consequences(nursingworld.org).
Project Evaluation: Another system-wide problem that nurses identified was the failure of the original procedures to support good infection control practices for patients in isolation (ASHP Research and Education Foundation, 2004). It was the bedside nurses who found a workable, safe, and reasonable infection control practice to use with patients in isolation. This practice involved using a plastic bag to cover the scanner or pocket personal computer during medication administration(nursingworld.org).
In conclusion, Progress has been made in developing new technology so as to improve patient care. Nurses’ involvement throughout all phases of the process, including the design, planning, implementation, and evaluation phrases, is an important key to success in using these technologies. Listening carefully to the comments and feedback from nurses is essential, because it is the nurses who are in the best position to identify the clues needed to resolve underlying systemic issues and offer ideas for possible resolution.