Inclusion of Nurses in the Systems Development Life Cycle NURS6051
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. Inclusion of Nurses in the Systems Development Life Cycle NURS6051
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 for Inclusion of Nurses in the Systems Development Life Cycle NURS6051:
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 3 of Week 9 of Inclusion of Nurses in the Systems Development Life Cycle NURS6051
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.
By Day 6 of Week 9 of Inclusion of Nurses in the Systems Development Life Cycle NURS6051
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.
*Note: Throughout this program, your fellow students are referred to as colleagues.
Submission and Grading Information
Inclusion of Nurses in the Systems Development Life Cycle NURS6051 Week 9 Discussion Resources
Required Readings
Inclusion of Nurses in the Systems Development Life Cycle NURS6051
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Chapter 9, “Systems Development Life Cycle: Nursing Informatics and Organizational Decision Making” (pp. 175–187)
Chapter 12, “Electronic Security” (pp. 229–242)
Chapter 13, “Workflow and Beyond Meaningful Use” (pp. 245–261)
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.a). Health IT Assessment toolkit and Assessment measures quick reference guide. Retrieved September 27, 2018, from
https://healthit.ahrq.gov/health-it-tools-and-resources/Assessment-resources/health-it-Assessment-toolkit-and-Assessment-measures-quick-reference
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.b). Workflow assessment for health IT toolkit. Retrieved September 27, 2018, from https://healthit.ahrq.gov/health-it-tools-and-resources/Assessment-resources/workflow-assessment-health-it-toolkit
Required Media
Louis, I. (2011, August 17). Systems development life cycle (SDLC) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtpyjPrpyX8
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Interoperability, Standards, and Security [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author. Inclusion of Nurses in the Systems Development Life Cycle NURS6051
Accessible player –Downloads– Download Video w/CC Download Audio Download Transcript
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Managing Health Information Technology [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Accessible player –Downloads– Download Video w/CC Download Audio Download Transcript
Portfolio Assignment: The Role of the Nurse Informaticist in Systems Development and Implementation
Assume you are a nurse manager on a unit where a new nursing documentation system is to be implemented. You want to ensure that the system will be usable and acceptable for the nurses impacted. You realize a nurse leader must be on the implementation team.
To Prepare:
Review the steps of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and reflect on the scenario presented.
Consider the benefits and challenges associated with involving a nurse leader on an implementation team for health information technology.
The Assignment: (2-3 pages not including the title and reference page)
In preparation of filling this role, develop a 2- to 3-page role description for a graduate-level nurse to guide his/her participation on the implementation team. The role description should be based on the SDLC stages and tasks and should clearly define how this individual will participate in and impact each of the following steps:
Planning and requirements definition
Analysis
Design of the new system
Implementation
Post-implementation support
Use APA format and include a title page and reference page. Inclusion of Nurses in the Systems Development Life Cycle NURS6051
Use the Safe Assign Drafts to check your match percentage before submitting your work.
By Day 7 of Week 10
Submit your completed Role Description.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK10Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
Click the Week 10 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
Click the Week 10 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK10Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database. Inclusion of Nurses in the Systems Development Life Cycle NURS6051
Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
The consequences of not involving nurses in each stage of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) when implementing a new health information technology system can be disastrous for healthcare organizations. Nurses have unique perspectives on patient care and outcomes, and their input is critical in ensuring that new technology meets the needs of patients and healthcare providers.
During the planning and requirements definition stage of the SDLC, the exclusion of nurses could result in a failure to identify the unique needs of patients and healthcare providers. For example, if a new electronic health record system is being implemented, nurses may have specific requirements for documenting patient care that are not considered. This could result in the system being difficult to use and could lead to errors in patient care.
In the analysis stage of the SDLC, not involving nurses could result in a failure to identify potential problems with the system. For example, if a new medication administration system is being implemented, nurses may have insights into potential issues that could arise with the system, such as drug interactions or allergies that are not adequately documented.
In the design stage of the SDLC, excluding nurses could result in a failure to design the system in a way that supports patient care and outcomes. For example, if a new patient monitoring system is being developed, nurses may have specific requirements for how the system should alert them to changes in patient status or vital signs.
During the implementation stage of the SDLC, not involving nurses could result in a failure to adequately train staff on the new system. Nurses need to be familiar with the new system and be able to use it effectively to ensure patient safety and quality of care.
In the post-implementation support stage of the SDLC, the exclusion of nurses could result in a failure to identify ongoing issues with the system. Nurses are often the first to identify problems with new systems, and their input is critical in ensuring that issues are identified and addressed quickly.
In my healthcare organization, I had input in the selection and planning of new health information technology systems. This has allowed me to ensure that new technology meets the needs of our patients and staff. For example, when we implemented a new electronic health record system, I was able to provide input on how the system should be designed to support nursing documentation and patient care. Being included in the decision-making process has allowed me to ensure that the technology we use supports the work we do and that patient care is not compromised.
In conclusion, involving nurses in each stage of the Systems Development Life Cycle when implementing a new health information technology system is critical in ensuring that the technology meets the needs of patients and healthcare providers. The exclusion of nurses can result in serious consequences for healthcare organizations, including compromised patient care and safety.
