Nurses play a crucial role in a patient’s recovery and safety
Nurses play a crucial role in a patient’s recovery and safety. Information systems (IS) in the nursing department are present to make the admission and data collection procedures easier, ensuring improved patient care. There has been significant growth in the need for nursing information systems as it eases the burden of the nurse’s workload. Therefore it is vital to involve nurses in the selection and evaluation of IS for efficient care delivery.
The nurse’s role in the selection and evaluation of the IS is critical as nurses interact with the software more than any other clinicians; thus, the system must have the primary function to aid their workflow. The nurses, through their executives, have to select a system that will offer assistance and one that is embraced readily by the rest of the staff. Nurses are the closest people to patients in a hospital setting; therefore, their primary role is offering information that will guide the selection and evaluation process. They work in tandem with the development team to ensure that the system can cater to both financial and scheduling activities. In as much as scheduling is vital, billing also plays a crucial role in patient care. In addition, they have to select systems that are easy to understand and use since complexities will delay service delivery.
Strategies for the Implementation of Information Systems
the proper implementation of information systems for nurses is essential as it helps in providing a faster flow of data crucial to the treatment of patients. Such strategies should apply to both nurses in training and those on the field. Using learning management systems (LMS) or Virtual reality to assist in lecture room based studies is an excellent strategy. For proper adoption, technical skills are essential. Another approach is the development of specific models to suit department needs. Each department varies according to the patients they serve. It is not easy to decipher which system applies to all departments. Customization for each department is vital as it helps to serve those nurses best.
Having an idea of what challenges the system may face after implementation is vital. A mock go-live is essential for training as realistic conditions are simulated to find out what problems the nurses may encounter. Identifying the difficulties makes room for corrections as they can negatively impact patients care. Letting the users “play” with the system as a form of informal training goes a long way in ensuring success with execution. Training can make or break the implementation process since nurses have to use this system each day; it is paramount that they receive sufficient practice. Additionally, involving the nursing fraternity in the selection and evaluation of IS goes a long way in ensuring the success of the system. If they feel that their ideas were taken into account, then they will work hard to ensure it is appropriately applied.
Barriers to the Implementation of Information Systems
Foster and Sethares (2017) state that one of the barriers to the adoption of information systems is the lack of competence in the use of technology by instructors. With the constant changes in technology, the IS used by nurses is changing too. However, most of the instructors in nursing institutions whose role is to equip the nursing fraternity with knowledge and skills to use such systems are not at per with the changes. Another barrier to implementation is the lack of funding for equipment such as computers and tablets for each nurse. If there is insufficiency, then the implementation phase will not be successful. Resistance from staff would be another barrier, especially if they were not involved in the evaluation and selection process (Stamatian, Baba & Timofe, 2013).
Educating nursing students about IS is vital to provide them with evidence-based data so that patients can receive the best care.
Nursing information systems have significantly reduced the nurse’s workload and patient care. None the less it does face some barriers to its implementation. The lack of sufficient funding and inadequate training makes it hard to adapt to the systems. It is vital to involve nurses in the selection and evaluation process as it affects their work environment.
References
Foster, M., Sethares, K. (2017). Current strategies to implement informatics into the nursing curriculum: an integrative review. HIMSS. https://www.himss.org/resources/current-strategies-implement-informatics-nursing-curriculum-integrative-review.
Stamatian, F., Baba, C., Timofe, M. (2013). Barriers in the implementation of health information systems: a scoping review. Transylvanian Review of Administrative Sciences 9:156-173.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287270890_Barriers_in_the_Implementation_of_Health_Information_Systems_A_Scoping_Review.