discussion response 1
Respond in 100-150 words
Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
Introduction
The process for developing health information technology systems is an ongoing development with a life cycle (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2018). Although there are different models of systems development life cycles (SDLCs), it is important for all stakeholders to be involved from the beginning to the end of the cycle. “Nothing is more powerful than frontline staff being on the inside track in a technology decision” (Nurse leaders discuss the nurse’s role in driving technology decisions, 2010, p. 9). Below is an example of the basic steps included in a SDLC as described in our assigned media (Laureate Education, Inc., 2012), and an analysis of ramifications when an organization does NOT involve nurses in each step.
Step One (Assess Needs)
It is critical to include nurses from the very start of the process (Page, 2011). If nurses are not included in assessing needs of their organization, important factors may be missed that will affect patient safety. It is a frequent mistake to bring nurses into the process after equipment or programs are already purchased and this is a big mistake, as many hospitals found out.
Step Two (Analyze Specifications)
It is easy to overlook specifics when choosing a system for an organization. It is recommended to seek nurses from other similar organizations that are using a program that you are interested in to see what has gone well and not so well (A toolkit for redesign in healthcare, 2005). It is very costly to find out down the road a program will not adequately work for your facility, and including nurses in the specifics could avoid this mistake.
Step Three (Design, Develop, and Test)
Involving nurses in this critical step of a SDCS makes them superusers and invaluable to the rest of the staff throughout their employment with an organization. If only individuals that will not use the system down the road in patient care designed the system, it is sure to not meet the needs of the user. Having end users design, develop, and test the system ensures it will meet the needs of the organization to provide safe care.
Step Four (Implement)
Not only will nurse super users be invaluable to their peer nurses during the implementation phase, they also will be relied on by physicians that may have apprehensions about new health information technology (HIT). “When your nurses are experts in HIT, it gives you a trainer in every corner to help your physicians utilize the system” (Page, 2011, p. 27). Not involving nurses in the implementation phase would negatively affect buy-in and cooperation from all aspects of the organization.
Step Five (Support Operations & Users)
As staff and needs change, nurses need to be there to support users and operations. A system will not continue to flow and work appropriately on its own. Errors will occur and patient safety will be affected. Keeping trained super-user nurses will help other staff members and physicians feel supported and will keep the system updated and appropriate for its purpose.
Step Six (Evaluate)
Not including nurses in the evaluation process wouldn’t even make sense. This should be all users, not just those involved in the beginning stages of the SDCS. Having an outsider non-user evaluate a HIT program would not give adequate feedback, either positive or negative. Having nurses that can determine whether the program supports patient safety and evidence-based nursing care is the only way to evaluate a system.
Conclusion
A nurse’s main goals when implementing technology into nursing are safe & efficient care and measuring nurses’ impact in keeping patients safe, promoting health, and helping patients recover from illness (Nurse leaders discuss the nurse’s role in driving technology decisions, 2010). Being involved in every step of a SDCS helps ensure safe, effective, and evidence-based nursing care.
References
A toolkit for redesign in healthcare. (2005). Retrieved from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: https://healthit.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012g). The system development life cycle. Baltimore, MD: Author.
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2018). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Nurse leaders discuss the nurse’s role in driving technology decisions. (2010). Virginia Nurses Today, 18(1), 8-9.
Page, D. (2011). Turning nurses into health IT superusers. H&HN: Hospitals & Health Networks, 85(4), 27-28.
Discussion Response
According to the post, it is critical for the hospitals to involve the nurses in the systems development life cycle (SDLC) from the beginning. This is because crucial aspects, such as the unique needs of hospitals and patients might be missed out. However, it important that all hospital staffs are involved in the development of the SDLC.