Implementation of any new technology within a clinical setting that is designed to meet the needs of the patients and the clinical workforce, can impact clinical processes and improve work flow. The impact it makes can improve care delivery, create a safer patient environment, improve efficiency, decrease the number of errors and achieve compliance with federal mandates . Understanding and adequately performing a clinical work flow analysis and process redesign prior to implementation, should aide in the success of the technology. It is important that technology is not driving the clinical practice but that clinical practice drives the technology to become an effective tool for all nurses. A new technology can also help to identify problematic …show more content…
areas in the current work flow and make the work flow less complicated and more efficient (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015). In my practice fluid removal is a challenge for many of our patients. We have been investigating ways to optimize fluid removal while preventing adverse events occurring because of blood volume depletion. We were looking for an opportunity to ensure better clinical outcomes and patient safety.
Our goal was to maintain adequate fluid in the vascular space in order to maintain a blood pressure adequate for each patient while avoiding complications. During our evidenced-based research we obtained information on a Crit-Line Blood Monitoring System. We performed a work flow analysis prior to the implementation of this tool then created a redesign process to evaluate this piece of technology into our practice. We ran into a few obstacles in regard to a time line for training, and the overwhelming feeling of learning a new piece of technology when patient care was so demanding. We worked through the obstacles and utilized the technology towards achieving our goal. We tried to purchase more monitoring systems because it was evident it optimized fluid removal and reduced the frequency of adverse reactions. We ran into financial obstacles with money being tight as we close our fiscal year. It is in our plan to purchase more systems in fiscal year 2016. We need to give all Veterans the same opportunity to benefit from this technology with the ultimate goal of experiencing less symptomatic while achieving better outcomes. The staff had buy-in to this technology from day 1one and with the opportunity for them to learn at a steady pace they were better acclimated to the
change in work flow. The Crit-Line has successfully analyzed the fluid removal on a per treatment basis, improved the work flow processes and has been effective in improving the care delivery provided to our Veterans. Because of our financial constraints we now have to pick and choose what Veterans use the system. The obstacles nurse administrators face as they attempt to redesign, restructure and improve work flow are vast in numbers. Any change an organization makes certainly comes with obstacles. Employee’s resistance to change can create a feeling of losing control unless the staff is allowed to provide their opinions or voice concern. Management must communicate the plans well in order to avoid conflict. If the implementation of new technology creates a feeling of being overwhelmed, introducing the technology can be done in increments, as small changes may make staff more adaptable to the situation). Other hurdles or challenges include the hours spent learning which potentially can create a loss of productivity as adjustments and adaptability occur. There can also be incurred cost because of unintended work flow (Scheidies, )
...t. Yet, since this was a pilot study more research in the area is needed to determine other factors discussed before suggestions are made and the study suggestions are implemented on a larger scale in hospitals. Nevertheless, triage nurses can use the information presented in the study to request manual blood pressure devices to use on patients outlined in the study who specifically need precise orthostatic hypotensive measurements.
According to the Registered Nurse (RN) Scope of Practice Position Statement, “the RN is responsible for providing safe, compassionate, and comprehensive nursing care to patients and their families with complex healthcare needs” (Texas Board of Nursing, 2011). Nurses often care for five to six patients at one time; therefore, in order to provide the best quality care, patients are often connected to monitoring devices such as, physiological monitors, venti...
Incorporation of workflows in the clinical setting is necessary to facilitate effective implementation of information technology. Workflows are a process of showing how tasks are done, in what order and by whom. “Workflow analysis aims to determine workflow patterns that maximize the effective use of resources and minimize activities that do not add value” (Walden University Course Material, 2014).
This DNP project is a quality improvement initiative that will include implementation of a newly developed interdisciplinary algorithm resource tool and unit-specific policy. This interdisciplinary group of will is composed of staff members, managers, case management, physicians, security, and nursing education. The DNP leader will provide evidence-based literature for supplemental tools The algorithm will serve as a decision-making tool to the bedside nurse with standardization to screening practices, scripting, and case management referrals. The unit-specific policy will provide structured support for labor and delivery nurses with screen patients.
The purpose of this paper is to distinguish, outline, and evaluate the affects that workarounds have on patient safety and quality. According to Alexander, Frith, and Hoy (2015), a workaround is defined as when a problems arise within the workflow and a worker uses an unauthorized way around the health information technology system. This being said, workarounds are present in the hustle and bustle of the stressful hospital workflow, and in return can potentially lead to negative consequences. Therefore, it is essential for health care professionals to recognize the workaround, analyze their workflow, and then develop possible solutions.
A healthcare manager should look at all the benefits of a software program before buying it. If it does not help with the workflow, then money is wasted. When implementing a new system in software, the manager should have training for the employees who will use it. If not properly trained, the system may be avoided or used in different ways not intended for the workflow (Cresswell, et al., 2013). Also, a manager must make sure the software is compliant with the HIPPA Laws for protecting sensitive
Information Systems/Technology and patient care technology for the improvement and transformation of health care is an important part of the DNP. Technology has transformed every aspect of human life in positive ways. Technology brought efficiency and improved healthcare deliverance system. Healthcare technologies enabled practitioners to better understand disease process and how to implement best treatment plan. DNP programs across the country embrace information systems and technology in their nursing curriculum because, it prepares nursing students to be innovative and deliver best care (AACN, 2006). DNP graduates must have the ability to use technology to analyze and disseminate critical information to find solutions that
Discussing potential risk issues associated with using automated blood pressure/pulse machine in relation to contemporary practice.
The purpose of the medical administration workflow diagram is to represent the rational choices and improvement of steps at the end of a task precisely. The definition of workflow is a progression of steps (tasks, events, and interactions) that comprise a work process: involve two or more persons, and create or add value to the organization’s activities. Workflow is a term used to describe the action or execution of a series of the task in a prescribed sequence (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2012, p. 266). The Workflow diagram is a valuable implement. The workflow chart can identify optional or non-value-added activities and task that you might choose to eliminate ("Workflow Assessment for Health IT Toolkit," 2012). Additional information that may be helpful within the workflow diagram is comprehending the tasks, be knowledgeable about everyone positions that are taking part in the work, recognize significant areas, improvement medication administration. The paper will explain the practice of medication administration, depict the metric benefits to determine the accuracy of workflow and its success, look at the areas that
“Achieving meaningful use”, a statement that strikes fear in many, also leaves the questions: How do we accomplish putting everything in place to reach the mark? How is our bottom line going to be affected by the change in workflow? Is the change worth the effort? Will patient care improve? These questions, and many others, escalates dread in staff without a capable pilot navigating a well-developed implementation plan. Accomplishing Stage 1 meaningful use in my clinic was a difficult process to complete. Change, in many forms, was necessary to reach the pinnacle of achievement. This paper attempts to outline the alterations made in our clinical workflow to meet Meaningful Use Stage 1.
al, 2011). Most articles found that stress during medication administration decreased when using a barcode system and they were satisfied with using this method to properly identify patients and provide safe medication administration. One study reported, “although technology systems that increase patient safety and clinical quality may not always increase nurse efficiency, they can relieve anxiety and enable nurses to provide safer, better care – which has a positive impact on job satisfaction, and potentially on nurse recruitment and retention.” (Sodorff, M. & Galusha, C., 2004).
Sensmeier, J, & Horowitz, J (2003). Advanced care delivery through technology. Nursing Management. 2, 6.
The electronic health record and other technology have evolved over the past twelve years to assist in streamlining work environments and patient-centered workflows, and supporting providers in decision-making across all organizational roles. For point of care nurses and patients on my unit, technology has increased the accuracy of medication administration and improved the patient experience. For my manager, informatics assists in overseeing resources and meeting financial goals. I’m interested to see where informatics will take nursing in the future. I imagine that we will see increased communication and information access that will lead to increased automation and coordination of work performed in health care settings (Huber,
One area of great advancement may be clinical decision systems (CDS). Clinical Decision Systems, as described by Berner (2009) are computerized programs that provide clinicians, staff, patients, and others with information specific to the patient’s trending health presented at the best time to the clinician or clinical staff. These systems will provide prompts or alerts for missed information, as well as compare trending data of the patient with possible patient outcomes to avoid medical errors (Berner, 2009). Piscotty, Kalisch, & Gracey-Thomas (2015) created a study that found the largest hindrance to the adoption of NI or CDS is the nurse’s attitudes and perceptions toward technology, such as a fear by nurses in learning new computer systems. This study and others is indicative of the possibility for faster adoption of nursing technology among a generation raised during the rapid development of computers and computer programs that may have a more favorable attitude towards nursing informatics in the workplace. This paper will look at the history of nursing informatics, how clinical decision systems work, as well as pros and cons of their
The Nursing Role Effectiveness Model is based on Donabedian’s (1987) quality framework and has three major components—structure, the nurses’ role, and patient and health outcomes (Grove, Gray,& Burns 2015). The nurse at the center of care provision is the linchpin in healthcare, nurses interact daily with providers, patients and families. In the age of technology nurses have become responsible for information technology as well, the use of numerous technologies has improved patient care and allows for tracking of care measurements. The mandate of electronic medical records (EMR), has provided a database capable of storing, analyzing, and processing numerous activities involved in patient care. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), supports research designed to improve the outcomes and quality of health care, reduce healthcare costs, address patient safety and medical errors, and broaden access to effective services (Grove, Gray, & Burns 2015). The impact of these regulatory requirements, provide a blueprint for health care personnel to ensure quality care is rendered and the use of EMR provides tools to track