Imagine that the Medical Staff at your hospital (which is part of an integrated health system of network hospitals, a nursing home, multiple physician practices), is purchasing a new, knowledge-based application to be integrated within their organizational EMR. However, during the medical staff meeting, it becomes clear that end-user needs are not clearly defined for the new knowledge-based application
- Develop a needs assessment for this knowledge-based application and address integration issues and different end-user requirements at the different locations. Your needs assessment should be no longer than three pages. Within your assessment you will need to:
- Define how you will conduct the needs assessment.
- Note how will you guide the physicians in defining their end-user needs.
- Define basic components of how the knowledge-based system should be implemented.
- Determine who is the best department to manage the knowledge-based system once live.
- Your assessment form should be in Microsoft Word format.
- Cite all sources in APA format.
- Submit your needs assessment for grading.
- Reminder: You must upload your completed documents using Browse My Computer. Then, hit the Submit button to successfully complete the assignment submission process. Do not copy and paste text into the text box.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
When implementing a new knowledge-based application into an organizational EMR, it is essential to conduct a needs assessment to define end-user needs, address integration issues and determine the best department to manage the system once live. This needs assessment must be comprehensive and address the various end-user requirements at different locations within the integrated health system.
Q: Develop a needs assessment for the new knowledge-based application and address integration issues and different end-user requirements at the different locations.
A: The needs assessment should begin by conducting a thorough analysis of the current EMR system structure and identifying areas where knowledge-based applications could enhance the delivery of care. A survey could be sent out to physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to gather data on their current usage of the EMR system and specific needs that could be addressed with a new knowledge-based application. Focus groups could also be conducted to gather feedback and ensure end-users are involved in the design and development process.
It is important to consider the various end-user requirements at different locations within the integrated health system. For instance, a nursing home may require different data fields and alert triggers than a hospital or physician practice. By involving end-users in the design process, the resulting knowledge-based application can be tailored to meet each location’s unique needs while also allowing for smooth integration with the overall EMR system.
Components for the implementation of the knowledge-based system should be defined early on, including training requirements for medical staff, testing and validation procedures prior to the launch, and ongoing maintenance and auditing of the system. Continual evaluation of the system’s effectiveness and end-user satisfaction should also be performed.
It is recommended that a cross-departmental team be established to manage the knowledge-based system once live. This team may include representatives from IT, medical staff, and other relevant departments within the organization. It is essential that this team is trained in the proper usage of the system and can address technical issues as they arise.
Q: What steps should be taken to guide physicians in defining their end-user needs?
A: As mentioned earlier, a survey and focus group could be used to gather information from physicians. Additionally, regular meetings with physician leaders could be conducted to ensure their input is being gathered, and their needs are being addressed. It may also be helpful to provide demonstrations of the new knowledge-based application to physicians to garner their feedback on functionality and usability. It is essential to involve physicians in the process to ensure they feel a sense of ownership over the system and are invested in its success.
Q: How should sources be cited in the needs assessment?
A: All sources used in the needs assessment should be cited in APA format. This includes both in-text citations and a reference list at the end of the assessment. It is essential to ensure that all sources are reputable and reliable to maintain the credibility of the assessment.
