question archive Module 5: The Nurse Leader and the System Development Life Cycle Discussion: The Inclusion of Nurses in the Systems Development Life Cycle In the media introduction to this module, it was suggested that you as a nurse have an important role in the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
Module 5: The Nurse Leader and the System Development Life Cycle Discussion: The Inclusion of Nurses in the Systems Development Life Cycle In the media introduction to this module, it was suggested that you as a nurse have an important role in the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
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Module 5: The Nurse Leader and the System Development Life Cycle
Discussion: The Inclusion of Nurses in the Systems Development Life Cycle
In the media introduction to this module, it was suggested that you as a nurse have an important role in the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). With a focus on patient care and outcomes, nurses may not always see themselves as contributors to the development of new systems. However, as you may have observed in your own experience, exclusion of nurse contributions when implementing systems can have dire consequences.
In this Discussion, you will consider the role you might play in systems development and the ramifications of not being an active participant in systems development.
To Prepare:
1. Review the steps of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) as presented in the Resources.
2. Reflect on your own healthcare organization and consider any steps your healthcare organization goes through when purchasing and implementing a new health information technology system.
3. Consider what a nurse might contribute to decisions made at each stage of the SDLC when planning for new health information technology.
For the discussion: Post a description of what you believe to be the consequences of a healthcare organization not involving nurses in each stage of the SDLC when purchasing and implementing a new health information technology system. Provide specific examples of potential issues at each stage of the SDLC and explain how the inclusion of nurses may help address these issues. Then, explain whether you had any input in the selection and planning of new health information technology systems in your nursing practice or healthcare organization and explain potential impacts of being included or not in the decision-making process. Be specific and provide examples.
Resources-3 websites and 3 videos attached
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtpyjPrpyX8
2. https://healthit.ahrq.gov/health-it-tools-and-resources/evaluation-resources/workflow-assessment-health-it-toolkit
3. https://healthit.ahrq.gov/health-it-tools-and-resources/evaluation-resources/health-it-evaluation-toolkit-and-evaluation-measures-quick-reference
Example
RE: Discussion – Module 5 Main discussion
User Friendly Software
The ongoing technological advances and changes in the healthcare industry require continual modifications and updates to programs to maintain their validity. Systems can quickly become outdated which hinders productivity and patient care. According to McGonigle and Mastrian, maintaining an appropriate software program is crucial for an organization's success to stay on track according to its business model. Systems development life cycle (SDLC) is a roadmap of models for the continuous processes necessary for software upkeep (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2018). SDLC models provide a specific set of steps for organizations to use to be successful in system processes ("Sign In", 2021). Each step in the process is of equal significance for software efficiency and reliability. These steps include planning, analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance (Laureate Education, 2018). Including nursing in the planning phase of the program is significant. The input from the nurse is invaluable because nurses are more of aware of the active use of the programs in patient care, which would promote a user-friendly application. Complicated processes would hinder the proposed usage and ultimately affect patient care.
An analysis is necessary to monitor for any possible missed preparation opportunities. The nurse could review and suggest thoughts from the planning phase to simplify and improve processes. For example, the nurse might have had a patient care experience during the planning phase that could be improved in the new system due to ongoing learning. Next, it is crucial to include end-users, nurses, in the design phase to prevent unnecessary costly changes once the software is in use (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2018). The implementation or “actively using” of the new software presents opportunities for the nurse involved in the process to assess the adequacy of the entire continuum. Nurses using the software see the needs and opportunities for improvement to allow best practices for both the patients and the organization. As with any program, system, or technology maintenance is crucial. Physical, environmental, and technical advances require ongoing review and updates.
Input from nurses helps organizations adapt software programs as appropriate to provide effective use. One specific example that comes to mind is wound documentation through my organization’s software system. Compliance expectations were not being met by nursing overall for required documentation. A group including nurses was formed to research the steps and processes in place. The nurses that were actively providing patient care provided valuable input on the software issues that hindered adequate documentation. Issues included “hard” documentation limits, meaning nurses were only able to pick from set options that often were not applicable. Changes in wound terminology and staging over the years were not up to date.
The current program contained multiple descriptive options, but the software limited the nurses’ choices to only one option which could not provide adequate wound documentation. The organization was able to use the group's research to update the software to allow better documentation for best care practices for wound care and prevention. The organization was able to update rather than replace the software program. This review of wound care documentation software saved nurses’ time, patients’ skin, and the organization’s budget. Including nurses in every step of the SDLC models process helps provide an experience that promotes an effective program.
