Systems Development Life Cycle Discussion

According to the video resources from this week’s Module, the Systems Development Life Cycle include a Planning, Design, Implementation, and Maintenance/Evaluation stages when creating a new system (Laureate, 2018). Part of the Planning stage includes: prototypes, hardware and training as part of a new clinical system creation (Laureate, 2018). The nurses are a necessary part of the System Life Cycle, as they are often using the new technology systems. When developing a new IT system, a facility can utilize the Health IT Evaluation Measures to assist with creating an efficient, user-friendly plan. Assessing the impact on nursing, the accuracy of coding, time turn around for orders/medications, security, alert/reminder systems, etc. are all important parts of having a productive IT system (Agency for Healthcare Research, n.d.a.).

In my current job, I have been fortunate enough to be part of the new system technology cycle. We implemented a new E.H.R. in 2016. The nurses were very involved in choosing the program, planning the implementation, and evaluating how the system is working for us. We were lucky enough to have a DON who fought for what the nurses believed they needed in a system and ultimately ended up with a great long-term care E.H.R. The next phase was purchasing the products with communication capabilities: Vitals machines, IV pumps, scales, etc. We spent a lot of time looking at what our facility needed and ended up with great cost effective, efficient products that really help the time-turn around for nurses working with the patients.

I think if our DON had not been so in tuned to what our nursing staff wanted, we may have not had such a great outcome. Part of a Systems Development Life Cycle must include nursing input if the facility wants it to be successful. Nursing are the bridge that links patients, family, therapies, physicians, specialists, and all other aspects of the patient experience together. Nursing utilize the E.H.R. systems, patient access portals, and much of the equipment for data collection daily. Nursing are a great resource for facilities to use when looking at new IT systems. Nursing contribute a lot of valuable information to the entire health care system. We review health records, identify gaps in care or documentation, monitor for changes in patients, use decision making tools, and often implement the new changes recommended by physicians or other specialties. Nursing should be utilized during the planning, implementation, and evaluation stages of the SDLC process.

References:

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Managing Health Information Technology [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Systems Implementation [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Main Discussion Post

Nurses continue to play an important role patient care and outcomes. Not only does the nurse contribute by physical care but also behind the scene being contributors to new development. Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a model of management used in the process of systems development (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). Nurses no t being involved in the purchasing and implementing of new systems can decrease the efficiency. Systems Development Life Cycle Discussion

It is important to include nurses throughout each stage of the SDLC. In the analysis stage nurses are needed to consider the options for changing. If nurses were not included in this stage there could be confusion on the analysis of the performance work flows. The design stage is the second stage in which nurses should be included. Time management is one characteristic that every nurse needs, and having a properly working product or system is vital. Without having the nurses opinions and contributions to the design can lead to less efficiency. One example would be to make sure the interface for a new patient rounding app was user friendly, easily used and ability to document corrective actions for staff members appropriately. After the design is completed, the implement phase is next. Nurses are especially needed in the phase to help educate the need for the new systems. If nurses were not actually involved in the implementing of a new system it would be hard for other nurses to follow and participate as well. During the implement phase nurses could educate certain staff members to become super users on the new patient rounding apps. After the implementing phase, the test phase is next and nurses are the users. If the nurses were not involved with in this step the application would not be efficient for its cause. Nurses would need to have follow up meetings to assess the need for any correction of glitches on the application. The final phase is to maintain. Nurses would need to follow up and be sure the questions in the patient rounding app pertained to their departmental needs and goals. If nurses were not involved in this step there would be less contributed data on the efficiency or needs of the new systems. Systems Development Life Cycle Discussion

Within the last year I was involved in the implementation of our patient rounding app that was initiated at our hospital. I was not involved in the analysis or design process, but was involved in the actual implementation and testing phases. I believe if I would not have been asked to participate in the initiation of this new program I would have been less willingly involved. I believe when nurses are asked to contribute to any new development of system or policies can enhance their engagement as well. Involvement of nurses are vital, but to properly excel in SDLC, proper management is needed (Laureate Education, 2018). Systems Development Life Cycle Discussion

References

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Managing Health Information Technology[Video file].

Baltimore, MD: Author.

Louis, I. (2011, August 17). Systems development life cycle (SDLC) [Video file]. Retrieved