Question

Outline the steps you would take to initiate a strategic planning process for improving the ED information system. How will you ensure that this plan is in alignment with the hospital’s and department’s overall strategic plans?

Answer 1

Planning change and improvement needs to be managed through the proper strategic plan and framework, similarly, planning change in improving the information system in emergency Department can be including following steps-

Need identification- the need for change and areas of improvement needs to be identified, here there is the need to replace manual record keeping and sharing system with digital and electronic information technology, also use of proper communication tools for staff is required to be standardized to avoid errors and miscommunication.

Evaluation and assessment of needs to improve services- here the evaluation of the needs is done using records, error reports, statistical data and evaluation is done on its basis that changing these strategies will help in developing better service command and quality practices for the user.

Planning the change- some strategies adopted to plan the change for improving information services include-

including SBAR communication tool for patient handover

Replacing manual records with digital and electronic system

Ensuring proper security and confidentiality of records while sharing information

Implementation- implementation of new strategies will require the hospital to identify the areas the change is to be implemented, prepare it as per the existing policies and service guidelines and use equipment and resources to implement change, also training the staff is crucial to implement proper changes.

Evaluation of change- feedback from user as well as service provider regarding the efficacy and effectiveness of new services is taken to evaluate the efficiency of the new services.