Question

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.

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

Answer 1

SDLC

It is the Software Development Life Cycle. This describes the several stages of a software cycle and the structure in which these stages are carried out. The outcome from each stage is implemented in the next stage of the software life cycle.

The knowledge of the workflow and processes associated with critical thinking skills make nurses to help identify objectives, establish project goals. Involvement of nurses in the implementation of new system is necessary to provide a clinical nursing perspective to assist in the development of safe and effective systems

Nurse manager should give importance in  both the benefits and challenges associated with involving a nurse leader on an implementation team to ensure that the new system will be usable and acceptable for all nurses impacted.  

ROLE DESCRIPTION FOR NURSE LEADER USING STAGES OF SDLC

Planning and reuirements

The role of the nurse leader collaborates with the interdisciplinary team members to accomplish the tasks such as define the scope and problems, select potential solutions, think about required resources, establish a project schedule and timeline, and launch the project . Clinical knowledge of the nurse helps in the implementation through workflow and processes effectively.

In Analysis.

Role of a nurse leader is to help prioritize project requirements, initiate and evaluate possible alternatives, and provide recommendations for management. If any failure in completing the tasks efficiently and meet organizational and user needs can result in project delays, loss of data, errors, and breakdown of communication processes. an internal part of the analysis process includes analyzing the workflow processes, communication, and decision-making tools. Involvement of a nurse leader in the analysis stage is imperative to review relevant organizational policies and to know what all changes required to accommodate new work processes and new technology.

In the stage of design.

Nurse leader plays a critical part in this stage to ensure the software’s overall configuration is defined properly and establish the architecture and operation of the system with regard to hardware, software, networking, retrieval of data, archiving and use, and user interface. The nurse reinforces the  purpose of the system to improve patient safety.She also assist in customizing the system to promote clinical decision support to accommodate practices in different specialties.

Implementation stage.

The role includes staff training, system maintenance, and evaluation of outcome, to ensure two-way communication between the staff and management to solicit feedback that may be useful when redesigning the system for better outcomes. Feed backs from users help in making safety to identify workflow and system issues.The engagement of the nurse can provide an effective strategy.

Post-implementation Support.

The nurse leader is involved in ensuring continual support and adequate training, understanding the technology and its implications, to make sure the  acceptance and compliance of the new system by the staff. It increases satisfaction and adherence to the best practices. It will also minimize any potential negative effects caused by technical failure and also identify flaws to reinforce the need for constant upgrade and maintenance of databases.

CONCLUSION

The nurse leaders play a vital role among the  members of the implementation team and in facilitating the SDLC for informatics in health care; the nurse role includes synthesizing knowledge of how technology can promote the quality of care.