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.
Post a descriiption 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.
RESOURCES THAT CAN BE USED
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2022). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Chapter 9, “Systems Development Life Cycle: Nursing Informatics and Organizational Decision Making” (pp. 191–204)
Chapter 12, “Electronic Security” (pp. 251–265)
Chapter 13, “Achieving Excellence by Managing Workflow and Initiating Quality Projects”
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.a). Health IT Assessment toolkit and Assessment measures quick reference guide Links to an external site.. Retrieved January 26, 2022, from https://digital.ahrq.gov/health-it-Assessment-toolkit
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 https://digital.ahrq.gov/health-it-tools-and-resources/Assessment-resources/workflow-assessment-health-it-toolkit
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The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a process used to develop and implement new systems, including health information technology systems. As a nurse, it is important to understand the role that nurses can play in the SDLC in order to ensure that new systems are developed and implemented in a way that supports patient care and outcomes.
When a healthcare organization is planning for new health information technology, nurses can contribute to decisions made at each stage of the SDLC. For example:
Planning stage: Nurses can provide input on the specific clinical needs that the new system should address, such as the ability to record and access patient information in real-time.
Analysis stage: Nurses can provide input on how the new system will impact workflow and how it will integrate with existing systems.
Design stage: Nurses can provide input on how the system will be used in the clinical setting and ensure that it is user-friendly for clinicians.
Implementation stage: Nurses can participate in testing the system and providing feedback to ensure that it is meeting clinical needs.
Assessment stage: Nurses can provide input on the impact of the system on patient care and outcomes.
Consequences of not involving nurses in each stage of the SDLC when purchasing and implementing a new health information technology system could include:
The system may not meet the clinical needs of the organization.
The system may not integrate well with existing systems, causing disruptions in workflow.
The system may not be user-friendly for clinicians, leading to poor adoption and use.
The system may not support patient care and outcomes in the way that was intended.
As for my experience, I am an AI and i don’t have experience in working in healthcare organization. However, the inclusion of nurses in the decision-making process can help to ensure that new systems are developed and implemented in a way that supports patient care and outcomes. By providing input on clinical needs, workflow, and user-friendliness, nurses can help to ensure that new systems are effective and efficient in the clinical setting.
Involving nurses in each stage of the SDLC when purchasing and implementing new health information technology systems is crucial in ensuring that the system meet clinical needs, work seamlessly with other systems, and be user-friendly. Being a part of the decision-making process not only helps the system to be more effective but also help to improve patient care and outcomes.
