Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days, offering one or more additional interaction strategies in support of the examples/observations shared or by offering further insight to the thoughts shared about the future of these interactions.
This is the discussion post I need to respond to:
During the implementation of a new electronic health record (EHR) system on my unit, I witnessed the dedicated efforts of informaticists who conducted multiple training sessions for the nursing staff. They worked closely with IT specialists to customize the system to our specific requirements, guaranteeing a user-friendly and efficient interface for our daily responsibilities. Their ongoing support and feedback collection were crucial in driving continuous improvements.
To improve these interactions, I think that setting up regular interdisciplinary workgroups would be extremely advantageous. These workgroups, made up of professionals from various fields, could come together to tackle specific projects such as improving EHR workflows or introducing new technology solutions. For instance, I was involved in a workgroup that addressed concerns regarding medication administration documentation in the EHR. This group consisted of healthcare professionals, including informaticists, pharmacists, nurses, and IT specialists. Through regular meetings, we were able to identify issues, generate ideas, and put new strategies into action. This collaborative approach ensured that all perspectives were considered, resulting in more effective and user-friendly systems (Collins et al., 2016).
Another potential enhancement could be the incorporation of consistent, organized feedback loops. Implementing a system where medical professionals can offer ongoing feedback on the EHR and other technologies guarantees that any problems are quickly resolved and that the systems adapt to meet real clinical requirements. For instance, developing an online feedback platform where healthcare professionals can report issues or propose improvements can assist technology specialists in prioritizing updates and fixes.
The ongoing development of nursing informatics and the rise of new technologies hold the potential for increased collaboration, enhanced communication, and more efficient workflows. Utilizing advanced data analytics and predictive tools can offer real-time insights, improving decision-making and ultimately benefiting patient outcomes. As these technologies evolve, creating an atmosphere of ongoing education and flexibility will be essential. Promoting staff engagement in workshops and seminars focused on technological advancements can help ensure that everyone is well-prepared to utilize new tools efficiently. This, in turn, can lead to enhanced patient care and increased professional satisfaction (Sensmeier et al., 2019).
Reference
Collins, S., Yen, P. Y., Phillips, A., & Kennedy, M. K. (2017). Nursing informatics competency assessment for the nurse leader: The Delphi study. Journal of Nursing Administration, 47(4), 212-218.
Sensmeier, J., Androwich, I., Baernholdt, M., Carroll, W., Fields, W., Fong, V., … & Rajwany, N. (2019). The value of nursing informatics: A white paper by the American Nursing Informatics Association. Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 37(2), 61-68.
Sipes, C. (2016). Project management for the advanced practice nurse. Springer Publishing Company.
