The Role of the Nurse Informaticist in Systems Development and Implementation

The Role of the Nurse Informaticist in Systems Development and Implementation

Integral to the resolve to improve the overall quality of healthcare is the ability of caregivers to ensure an efficient flow of information. In the technological era, where health information technologies define information flow, nurse informaticists play a role in leveraging these technologies to enhance clinical outcomes (Booth et al., 2021). Implementing these technologies requires a collaborative approach, drawing nurse leaders and other caregivers. This paper details the role description of a nurse informaticist in systems design and implementation.

In change processes, an established framework is necessitated to facilitate the process and guarantee better outcomes. The systems development life cycle is a multistep systemized framework for driving systems development within various organizations. This project management model not only outlines and designs information systems but also lays the groundwork for executing and evaluating them. We offer urgent help in nursing assignments.

Planning is the first step in the SDLC framework. It is the foundational stage that paves the way for other processes. In this step, the problem the software or information technology is seeking to solve is clearly defined. The significance of this step is the ability of the team members to utilize predictive analysis and simulation tools to draw a rough plan of how the system will work. Nurse informaticists are crucial in this process. Their knowledge of technologies helps them inform other team members of any technical aspects of the plan (Booth et al., 2021). This includes giving technical analysis and using various AI simulation tools to draw a rough plan for the operability of the system.

The analysis step proceeds to the planning stages. It involves doing in-depth research on the system as well as scanning the environment to better understand the technicalities involved. Central to the analysis step is market research, which defines the needs of the clients, generates the system’s requirements, evaluates the existing prototypes, and sets goals. The analysis step requires mixed input, drawing caregivers from different cadres and other stakeholders. Nurse informaticists play a role in the generation of prototypes, environmental scanning, and the evaluation of the existing prototypes. Their expertise and knowledge of information technologies make them valuable in evaluating existing prototypes and scanning the healthcare environment for their suitability and compatibility with available health information technologies.

The design stage gives a forecast of how the system will look like. This is an extensive prototyping stage where the system interface, core features, and usability are outlined. This step is crucial as it can help detect deficiencies not predicted in the planning stage. Nurse informaticists are heavily involved in this stage. They assist system developers in scanning and analyzing potential problems, as well as proposing address measures. Garcia-Dia (2021) notes that nurse informaticists’ involvement in the design stage provides a cost-cutting mechanism as they help in unearthing usability-related issues during the design stage. Their nursing knowledge, coupled with their expertise in technology, enables them to give an informed judgment on the compatibility of the systems with other software, the ability of the systems to solve nursing-related information flow problems, and the system’s effectiveness in overall patient care.

The implementation stage involves the creation of the system. It is usually a culmination of the duration of planning to produce a system that addresses the identified gap or problem in health information flow. The implementation step is often elaborate. Besides the installation of the new system, training organizational members on its use is also involved. This process draws considerable human and financial considerations. Funds, in this respect, will be required to organize employee training. Technology experts will also have to be recruited to educate members on its use. Change management is significant in the implementation step. Healthcare leaders play a crucial role in this regard. They are responsible for creating a buy-in from organizational members to ensure successful adoption of the change process (Figueroa et al., 2019). Nurse informaticists also have a role to play. They are involved in gathering information about the new workflows. They also provide comprehensive information on its usability and integration with other systems. As tech experts within the organization, they also guide the new system towards continuous improvements. They are thus indispensable in this step.

Post-implementation support involves the upkeep and maintenance of the newly developed and deployed system. It is targeted at optimizing the efficiency of the system. Once in a while, the system is serviced and upgraded, and some hardware is removed or replaced. Mitchell & Kan (2019) note that post-implementation support of various health information technologies guarantees durability and higher efficiency and is thus recommended for all healthcare systems. The maintenance step also allows for modifications that may keep the systems up to date. In the modern world, where innovations continue to shape healthcare operationalizations, incorporating these innovations into the system may contribute to quality enhancement. Nurse informaticists play a role in maintaining the system. They inform the system developers of identified checks, the need to improve some parameters, and the important additions that may be required to optimize the functionality of the system.

The SDLC framework remains important in systems design and implementation. This multistep framework provides a systemized approach to the planning, execution, and follow-through of valuable healthcare technologies and systems. Nurse informaticists, being the bearers of healthcare information technologies, are crucial members of multidisciplinary teams involved in implementing various systems. Their expertise and knowledge in information flow and health technologies allow them to leverage these technologies in care optimization.

References

Booth, R. G., Strudwick, G., McBride, S., O’Connor, S., & Solano López, A. L. (2021). How the nursing profession should adapt for a digital future. BMJ. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1190

Figueroa, C. A., Harrison, R., Chauhan, A., & Meyer, L. (2019). Priorities and challenges for Health Leadership and Workforce Management globally: A rapid review. BMC Health Services Research, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4080-7

Garcia-Dia, M. J. (2021). Nursing informatics. Nursing Management, 52(5), 56–56. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.numa.0000743444.08164.b4 

Mitchell, M., & Kan, L. (2019). Digital Technology and the Future of Health Systems. Health Systems & Reform, 5(2), 113–120. https://doi.org/10.1080/23288604.2019.1583040 

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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 for 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.