Advancements in technology have a significant impact on healthcare, and it is crucial for quality improvement teams to determine how to effectively utilize new technology. Nurse leaders, as part of these teams, play a vital role in evaluating the suitability of the technology for their staff and ensuring that it enhances workflow to achieve desired clinical outcomes (McKay & Vanaskie, 2018). This paper aims to provide a guide for nurse leaders’ participation in the implementation team for a new nursing documentation system, using the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) as a framework.
Planning and Requirements
The planning and requirements stage is the initial step in implementing a new documentation system. Nurse leaders are instrumental in identifying the unit’s needs for implementing the technology into practice and developing a budget for the project. They play a crucial role in scheduling additional staff, ensuring training for all staff members, and budgeting for necessary equipment (Jevtic, 2020).
NURS 5051 Week 10 Role of the Nurse Leader in Systems Development and Implementation Analysis
During the analysis stage, nurse leaders assist in gathering essential business requirements. They provide valuable insights and information on the criteria necessary for the project’s success. Nurse leaders can identify and address any problems or challenges before proceeding to the design stage (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017).
Design
In the design stage, nurse leaders collaborate with the information technology department to link the needs at the bedside with the system’s design. They ensure that nursing requirements are incorporated into the hardware, operating system, program, communication, and security plans. By considering nursing workflow and processes, nurse leaders contribute to the successful design of the new system (Gillis, 2019).
Implementation
Nurse leaders are critical during the implementation stage, as nurses of all levels play a vital role in this phase. When nurse leaders actively listen to the opinions and concerns of the nursing staff during implementation, it fosters acceptance of the new system. Nurse leaders provide support to the staff during the transition and can serve as “super users” who assist in the training process (Wayne, 2016; Singletary & Baker, 2019).
NURS 5051 Week 10 Role of the Nurse Leader in Systems Development and Implementation Post-Implementation Support
In the post-implementation stage, nurse leaders continue to play a valuable role in supporting the staff. They address any issues or defects that arise, resolve problems identified by the staff, and ensure effective communication of system updates. Nurse leaders connect the staff to necessary resources and support ongoing maintenance and development of the system (Strudwick et al., 2019).
Conclusion
In conclusion, nurse leadership is crucial for the successful implementation of a new nursing documentation system. Nurse leaders bridge the gap between the information technology department and the bedside, ensuring that the system improves workflow, meets staff needs, and receives proper training. By involving nurse leaders at every stage of the SDLC process, a documentation system can be developed that benefits the team and ultimately improves patient care.
References:
Gillis, A. S. (2019). What is systems development life cycle? – Definition from WhatIs.com. SearchSoftwareQuality. Retrieved from: https://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/definition/systems-development-life-cycle.
Jevtic, G. (2020). What is SDLC? How the software development life cycle works. PhoenixNAP Global IT Services. Retrieved from: https://phoenixnap.com/blog/software-development-life-cycle.
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. McKay, C., & Vanaskie, K. (2018). Partnering for success: the role of the nurse leader in health information technology implementation for coordination of care. Nurse Leader, 16(6), 385-388. Singletary, V., & Baker, E. (2019). Building informatics-savvy health departments: The Systems: Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. LWW. Retrieved from: https://journals.lww.com/jphmp/Fulltext/2019/11000/Building_Informatics_Savvy_Health_Departments__The.17.aspx.
Strudwick, G., Booth, R. G., Bjarnadottir, R. I., Rossetti, S. C., Friesen, M., Sequeira, L., … & Srivastava, R. (2019). The role of nurse managers in the adoption of health information technology: Findings from a qualitative study. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(11), 549-555. Wayne, T. (2016). Nurses Vs. EHRs: Why Nurses Need to Be Included In EHR Planning. Software Buying Tips and Advice for Businesses. Retrieved from: https://blog.capterra.com/nurses-vs-ehrs-why-nurses-need-to-be-included-in-ehr-planning/.
