NURS 6051 - Discussion Week 9 - Replies

**DEADLINE: FRIDAY 4/30/2021 BY 08:00 PM EST**

To prepare Week 9 Discussion

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.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Respond to your colleague, 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.

**At least 2 references per reply, and they need to support information in the reply**

Danielle Nuckolls 

RE: Discussion -

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               It is vital to have nurses and stakeholders involved in the creation of information systems for giant corporations and organizations. One way these individuals can be involved is through each step of the Systems of Development Life Cycle. The Systems of Development Life Cycle is a way that delivers efficient and effective information throughout an organization and it is molded by the organization’s mission, partnerships, resources, and relationships (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). The cycle involves a planning, design, implementation, and maintenance stage (Laureate Education, 2018b). This type of cycle allows an organization to evaluate what is working, what needs improved, and what needs to be eliminated. The constant movement of the cycle allows the health corporation to be continuously changing and shaping to new norms. With the involvement of nurses, these big corporations can ensure patients are being advocated for. 

               There are many consequences when nurses are not involved in the implementation of a new health information technology system. It is hard to define standards amongst these health information technology systems and different hospitals, clinics, and agencies (Laureate Education, 2018a). In the first phase of the SDLC, the planning stage, it is beneficial for organizations to look at other companies and medical professionals. By nurses researching what is beneficial at other hospitals, one can imagine how it will work at one’s organization. Nurses are excellent at assessing patients, environments, and situations. By including the nurse, the organization can create a healthcare information system that takes into consideration all aspects due to their awareness. A specific incident where this would be beneficial would be on my unit, we utilize a different system than what the floors use, which means that our systems do not communicate with each other. A nurse brought the idea that all systems should communicate with each other to create continuity of care. However, a nurse was not implemented in the planning stage and the informatics overlooked that key component. Now information is lost in reports and it can lead to problems with medications administered, inputs and outputs, and vital signs. 

               In the second phase, the design stage, nurses have the ability to aid in creating new systems. In the designing portion they can guarantee that systems are created with the thoughts of patients and healthcare providers. For example, when designing the system, it is beneficial to be able to spread information from hospital to hospital and to have the same format. Therefore, whether you are working in one hospital or another, one can receive information safely without violating HIPAA. As stated above in the planning stage, continuity of care is important concept, and while in the first phase it is being researched, in this phase it is being created into a system design.

               The third phase is the implementation phase. One of the biggest problems that organizations have with implementing a new process is getting everyone involved (Laureate Education, 2018b). By including the stakeholders in the SDLC process, it encourages them to make a difference and positively impact their new communication system. For example, if one does not include nurses when implementing a new health information technology system, the nurses may refuse to implement the change. Change takes time, it requires individuals to attend classes and to become familiar with the new technology. When including them within the process, they can become familiar with the new tools allowing them to be superusers when the time comes for implementation. In addition, nurses are quick to adapt to changes. As stated by Laureate Education (2018b), it is important to be patient but rapid during the adjustment period. By having nurses involved in the SDLC, they can adapt quickly to the change and help others as well. 

               Lastly, the final phase is the evaluation phase. Nurses are essential for this phase. They are the ones utilizing the program for patient care. Therefore, they are the ones to evaluate if the system is benefiting or hindering patient care. They are also able to document research and the way the system is impacting their care so that when the system is then evaluated later, they can have data to look at. If nurses are not used in this part of the process, data may not be recorded and information may not be available to view the system over time. 

               In my organization within this last week, we started implementing mobile phones. My unit managers did not warn us or give knowledge to the new implementation. The fact that they did not include us in the planning and designing of this new program showed that at the implementation phase there was a lot of push back and negative feelings. The nurses did not feel included and were not excited for change. Now we currently have many nurses refusing to use the phone and tension between nurses and management. It would have been beneficial for my unit to have included us and allowed us to become familiar with the new product instead of just surprising us. 

References

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018a). Interoperability, Standards, and Security [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018b). Managing Health Information Technology [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author. 

McGonigle, D. & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing Informatics and the Foundation of Knowledge (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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