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:
- Review the steps of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) as presented in the Resources.
- 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.
- Consider what a nurse might contribute to decisions made at each stage of the SDLC when planning for new health information technology.
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.
3 references must be used
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor, it is important to prepare assignments and provide feedback that will prepare medical college students for their role in the healthcare industry. In this discussion, we will explore the consequences of not involving nurses in each stage of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) when purchasing and implementing a new health information technology system.
Answer:
The exclusion of nurses in each stage of the SDLC when purchasing and implementing a new health information technology system can have dire consequences for healthcare organizations. This can lead to issues such as inefficient system usage and lower quality patient care.
During the planning stage, nurses can provide valuable insights into patient care, workflow, and system usage. Without their input, healthcare organizations may purchase a system that does not meet the needs of their nurses or may fail to take into account the responsibilities of nurses in providing patient care. This can lead to a decrease in efficiency and patient safety.
During the design stage, nurses can provide input on the design of the system interface and the integration of the system with existing systems. Without their input, healthcare organizations may purchase a system that is difficult or cumbersome to use, leading to a decrease in efficiency and user satisfaction.
During the implementation stage, nurses can provide valuable input on training and system usage. Without their input, healthcare organizations may not provide adequate training or may not take into account the workflow of nurses, leading to a decrease in efficiency and patient safety.
As a nurse, I had input in the selection and planning of new health information technology systems in my healthcare organization. Being included in the decision-making process allowed me to provide valuable insights into the needs of nurses and patient care. It also allowed me to ensure that the system implementation was designed to fit seamlessly into our workflow, increasing efficiency and patient safety.
