NURS 8210 WEEK 6 DESIGNING A NURSING INFORMATICS PROJECT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION
Walden University NURS 8210 WEEK 6 DESIGNING A NURSING INFORMATICS PROJECT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION-Step-By-Step Guide
This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Walden University NURS 8210 WEEK 6 DESIGNING A NURSING INFORMATICS PROJECT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION assignment based on general principles of academic writing. Here, we will show you the A, B, Cs of completing an academic paper, irrespective of the instructions. After guiding you through what to do, the guide will leave one or two sample essays at the end to highlight the various sections discussed below.
How to Research and Prepare for NURS 8210 WEEK 6 DESIGNING A NURSING INFORMATICS PROJECT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION
Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Walden University NURS 8210 WEEK 6 DESIGNING A NURSING INFORMATICS PROJECT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION depends on the preparation done beforehand. The first thing to do once you receive an assignment is to quickly skim through the requirements. Once that is done, start going through the instructions one by one to clearly understand what the instructor wants. The most important thing here is to understand the required format—whether it is APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.
After understanding the requirements of the paper, the next phase is to gather relevant materials. The first place to start the research process is the weekly resources. Go through the resources provided in the instructions to determine which ones fit the assignment. After reviewing the provided resources, use the university library to search for additional resources. After gathering sufficient and necessary resources, you are now ready to start drafting your paper.
How to Write the Introduction for NURS 8210 WEEK 6 DESIGNING A NURSING INFORMATICS PROJECT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION
The introduction for the Walden University NURS 8210 WEEK 6 DESIGNING A NURSING INFORMATICS PROJECT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION is where you tell the instructor what your paper will encompass. In three to four statements, highlight the important points that will form the basis of your paper. Here, you can include statistics to show the importance of the topic you will be discussing. At the end of the introduction, write a clear purpose statement outlining what exactly will be contained in the paper. This statement will start with “The purpose of this paper…” and then proceed to outline the various sections of the instructions.
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How to Write the Body for NURS 8210 WEEK 6 DESIGNING A NURSING INFORMATICS PROJECT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION
After the introduction, move into the main part of the NURS 8210 WEEK 6 DESIGNING A NURSING INFORMATICS PROJECT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION assignment, which is the body. Given that the paper you will be writing is not experimental, the way you organize the headings and subheadings of your paper is critically important. In some cases, you might have to use more subheadings to properly organize the assignment. The organization will depend on the rubric provided. Carefully examine the rubric, as it will contain all the detailed requirements of the assignment. Sometimes, the rubric will have information that the normal instructions lack.
Another important factor to consider at this point is how to do citations. In-text citations are fundamental as they support the arguments and points you make in the paper. At this point, the resources gathered at the beginning will come in handy. Integrating the ideas of the authors with your own will ensure that you produce a comprehensive paper. Also, follow the given citation format. In most cases, APA 7 is the preferred format for nursing assignments.
How to Write the Conclusion for NURS 8210 WEEK 6 DESIGNING A NURSING INFORMATICS PROJECT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION
After completing the main sections, write the conclusion of your paper. The conclusion is a summary of the main points you made in your paper. However, you need to rewrite the points and not simply copy and paste them. By restating the points from each subheading, you will provide a nuanced overview of the assignment to the reader.
How to Format the References List for NURS 8210 WEEK 6 DESIGNING A NURSING INFORMATICS PROJECT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION
The very last part of your paper involves listing the sources used in your paper. These sources should be listed in alphabetical order and double-spaced. Additionally, use a hanging indent for each source that appears in this list. Lastly, only the sources cited within the body of the paper should appear here.
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Sample Answer for NURS 8210 WEEK 6 DESIGNING A NURSING INFORMATICS PROJECT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION
Nursing Informatics Project
Informatics plays a crucial role in improving patient outcomes and work efficiency in patient care settings. Therefore, it is important for nurses to identify potential problems impacting patient outcomes and design a relevant informatics project that can be used to help solve the identified issue (Booth et al.,2021). The identified practice gap revolves around inconsistent medication education and reconciliation processes during the transition within the Veteran Administration (VA) and the private sector due to poor medication education. The current process at the VA (CBOCS) lacks standardized tools to properly educate the veterans regarding medication dosage, purpose, and time frames, potentially leading to discrepancies and errors. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore an informatics project that bridges the identified gap by implementing a standardized education tool, such as the medication reconciliation process during transitions of care, to enhance patient safety and reduce medication errors.
Conversation With Nurse Leader On What Is Needed to Develop Scope and Charter
The conversation centered around the need to improve the medication education and reconciliation process for the veterans within the organization. The gap in medication education and reconciliation process during patient transitions, particularly with VA, is a significant one, and such inconsistency poses risks to patient safety, hence calling for attention. Another part of the conversation also focused on the development of scope and charter documents. Formulation of these documents needs appropriate planning. As such, it is important to understand the objectives of the project, state-specific goals, and targeted outcomes, which, in this case, are the medication education and reconciliation process for the veterans. It is also important to identify and analyze the stakeholders (Shirley, 2020). Such an analysis helps in understanding their expectations, concerns, and needs, which are key to obtaining stakeholder buy-in as well as support.
Coming up with a project scope requires the definition of project boundaries and writing down what should be included and what has to be excluded. It is also important to articulate the deliverables and consider specific constraints such as resources, budget, and time. The next requirement is the development of a work breakdown structure, which presents the project into manageable components (Shirley, 2020). The timeline and schedule should also be explored to ensure that the proposed project stays on track. Identification of the required resources in time is also important to ensure that the resources are acquired in time. The other requirement is a risk management plan which can help assess possible challenges and risks that can affect the success of the project.
The SWOT Analysis
SWOT analysis entails an exploration of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats involved in a project. Through the analysis, it is positive to have an insight into the organization’s situation and appropriately identify areas for improvement. Therefore, the organization can leverage its strengths, address weaknesses, mitigate the threats, and capitalize on the opportunities (Yoder-Wise & Sportsman, 2022). Therefore, the table below show the SWOT analysis conducted regarding the project.
Table 1
SWOT Analysis
Strengths –Presence infrastructure for implementing informatics. -Expertise of the facility healthcare professionals. -Access to patient data and healthcare resources. -Support from the organization’s leaders. | Weaknesses –Possible resistance to proposed change by the staff. -Inadequate standardized tools for medication reconciliation and education -Inconsistent medication education and reconciliation process within the VA |
Opportunities -Potential improvement of patient safety and outcomes. -Reduction of medication errors and improving patient satisfaction. -Effective collaboration with stakeholders for a successful implementation of the project
| Threats -Competing priorities within the organization -Limited resources and budget for the project. -Regulatory and legal requirements connected to medication reconciliation and education |
The table above shows a SWOT analysis to support the project and offer insights into the development of the scope and charter. The analysis has offered important insights into the organization’s internal strengths and weaknesses. In addition, it has highlighted the threats and opportunities which may impact the proposed informatics project. Therefore, it will help to identify the areas to capitalize on and drive the project to completion.
Gap Analysis
Gap analysis is an important activity in the project development and implementation process since the project team can use it in the assessment of the variance between the current state of affairs and the desired state or situation of an organization or the project (Skivington et al.,2021). Therefore, a gap analysis entails the identification of discrepancies in various project or organization activities, such as performance, process, capability, and outcomes, with a major focus on formulating the strategies that can be used to bridge such gaps. Therefore, this section focuses on the gap analysis for the project. The visuals representation of the analysis is shown in the next figure below.
Figure 1
Gap Analysis graphic
The practice gap identified is the inconsistent medication education and reconciliation process during patient transitions within the VA and private sector due to poor medication education. Patient medication education is critical in ensuring patient safety, especially when transitioning between different healthcare settings (e.g., Inpatient behavioral hospital to outpatient care and changing from one provider to another within the VA healthcare system). However, the current process at The VA (CBOCs) lacks standardized tools to properly educate Veterans on medication dosage, purpose, and time frames of medications, leading to discrepancies in medication information and potential medication errors due to poor patient education (Rasool et al.,2020). This project aims to bridge this practice gap by implementing a standardized education tool or materials to help educate Veterans on the medications that they are consuming. One of the tools could be the medication reconciliation process during transitions of care to reduce medication errors and improve patient safety.
Work Breakdown Structure
Work Breakdown Structure is an important tool in project implementation and management. Therefore, it is important to formulate a relevant work breakdown structure based on the project requirements and stages (Sipes, 2023). It refers to a hierarchical division of the work needed to complete the project into smaller and manageable sections or divisions. A WBS offers a structured and succinct overview of the project scope since it helps divide the tasks into easier-to-understand sections. Therefore, the project team has a deeper understanding of the project requirements, deliverables, and objectives. It also helps in defining the project boundaries and informs the project team regarding what needs to be included and what should be excluded, which then helps to align the project objectives and prevent scope creep.
The formulated work breakdown structure is shown in Figure 2. As observed in the figure, five major project faces will be accomplished, including project initiation, project planning, analysis and design, project implementation, and evaluation, which will eventually be followed by improvements based on feedback. The phases, in turn, have several activities that will need to be accomplished to ensure the successful completion of the project. For example, the project initiation stage or phase will entail activities such as objective formulation and scope definition among other activities.
Figure 1
Work Breakdown Structure
Gantt Chart
A Gantt chart is an important tool used as part of project management in visualizing tasks or activities to be accomplished during the project and showing the task dates, end dates, the assignment of tasks, and the progress made (Astafeva & Gazizulina, 2021). The formulated Gantt chart is shown in Figure 3 below. The figure shows the tasks to be completed, those who are supposed to complete the tasks, the task progress, the start dates, and the end dates.
Figure 3: Gantt chart
TASK | ASSIGNED TO | PROGRESS | START | END |
Project design | ||||
Gap Identification | DNP candidate | 100% | 3/20/24 | 3/22/24 |
Stakeholder identification and gathering | DNP candidate | 100% | 3/22/24 | 3/24/24 |
Alignment of the gap with facility needs | DNP candidate, DNP mentor | 90% | 3/24/24 | 3/28/24 |
Define project purpose | DNP candidate | 70% | 3/28/24 | 4/2/24 |
Literature for evidence to support the project | DNP candidate | 75% | 4/2/24 | 4/4/24 |
Complete SWOT analysis | DNP mentor, DNP candidate | 80% | 4/4/24 | 4/7/24 |
Complete stakeholder analysis | DNP candidate | 100% | 4/7/24 | 4/8/24 |
Literature review and synthesis | DNP candidate | 100% | 4/8/24 | 4/11/24 |
Approval | DNP candidate | 90% | 4/11/24 | 4/15/24 |
Project Plan | ||||
Final action plan review | DNP candidate | 50% | 4/5/24 | 4/10/24 |
Collection of literature and materials needed | DNP candidate, DNP mentor | 55% | 4/10/24 | 4/12/24 |
Project scope | DNP candidate | 35% | 4/10/24 | 4/13/24 |
project charter | DNP candidate | 75% | 4/13/24 | 4/16/24 |
Final document review | DNP candidate, DNP mentor | 85% | 4/16/24 | 4/19/24 |
Implement | ||||
Acquisition of the materials for education | DNP candidate | 25% | 4/10/24 | 4/14/24 |
Formulating education program | DNP candidate, DNP mentor | 20% | 4/15/24 | 4/20/24 |
Training on medication education | DNP candidate, DNP mentor | 1% | 4/21/24 | 4/25/24 |
Suggestions for improvement | Implementation team, DNP candidate | 0% | 4/15/24 | 4/19/24 |
Integrate reconciliation process | DNP candidate, mentor | 0% | 4/19/24 | 4/21/24 |
Evaluate/Improve | ||||
analysis of the data with a mentor | DNP candidate | 10% | 4/19/24 | 4/21/24 |
Assessment of the information form evaluation | DNP candidate, mentor | 5% | 4/21/24 | 4/25/24 |
Improvements | 5% | 4/25/24 | 4/28/24 |
The RACI (Responsibility) Chart
It is also important to formulate a RACI chart for the project to help facilitate the easier visualization of the project responsibilities. RACI chart indicates who is responsible for the completion of the tasks or deliverables, who is accountable for the completion and approval of the task, who is to be consulted by those responsible for advice and expertise, and who is to be kept updated on the progress and notified when the tasks are complete (Bove & Houston, 2021). Therefore, the formulated RACI chart is shown in Figure 4 below.
Figure 4: RACI (Responsibility) chart
Roles & Responsibilities Matrix | ROLES | ||||
DNP candidate | Nurse leader | Nurse manager | Nurse Educator | DNP mentor | |
Coordination of the whole project | AI | R | C | C | I |
Review of research | AI | R | C | C | C |
Presentation development | AI | R | C | C | C |
Approval of the intervention plan | A | RA | C | C | CI |
Reviewing of the information provided | R | R | A | I | C |
Project implementation | RA | R | C | C | I |
Project presentation | A | R | R | R | R |
Feedback | A | R | C | I | I |
Compliance verification | I | RA | I | C | I |
Data review | R | R | R | I | I |
R = Responsible for completion of task or deliverable | |||||
A = Accountable for completion and approval of the task | |||||
C = Consulted by those responsible for advice and expertise | |||||
I = Kept updated on progress and notified when tasks were completed |
Communication Plan
A communication plan plays a major role in fostering effective communication needed to successfully accomplish the project; as such, it is important that the right content of information is communicated throughout the project (Dang et al.,2021). As part of the plan, communication will done through phone calls, emails, instant messaging, and face-to-face interactions. The first communication is to be carried out through email, to let the targeted audience know the need for the intervention effort. Messages to be passed on include information and updates concerning the project, such as what will be needed to effectively implement the informatics project. Status update information will be given from time to time to let the team members and the stakeholders know the progress of the project. Effective communication will support the successful completion of the project.
Risk Management Plan
It is important to formulate a relevant risk management plan as part of project implementation. Therefore, this section addressed the risk management plan and how the risks can be mitigated. Various risks exist for this project, including potential resistance to change, technical challenges, resource constraints, and regulatory compliance. These risks can be impactful. For example, they can lead to regulatory or legal penalties, compromised patient safety, lower staff morale, and delays in the implementation of the project. Even though COVID-19 is a problem that is diminishing, it is still a risk factor since it can lead to several problems, such as staffing challenges, higher demand for virtual solutions, and limited in-person interactions. One way of overcoming the challenge is ensuring that there are flexible communication channels that can help facilitate ongoing communication regarding the program (Shirley, 2020). The potential resistance should be solved by carrying out a comprehensive stakeholder engagement and communication to help get buy-in. It is also important to conduct training and offer resources to staff to ensure that they have a deeper understanding of the intervention for better outcomes.
Rationale
As earlier indicated, this project focuses on enhancing patient safety through proper medication education by incorporating informatics. Patient safety is paramount in the patient settings. Therefore, it is important for healthcare professionals to use appropriate strategies to ensure that patient safety is upheld (Ocloo et al.,2021). This project proposes to improve such safety by improving medication education and reconciliation processes for the veterans within the organization. Recent data shows that it is important to have a standardized medication management practices to improve patient safety. Therefore, the rationale of this project lies in the potential negative impacts of various events, such as medication errors, on patient safety. Medication errors substantially affect patient safety since they are a leading cause of adverse drug events as well as patient harm (Manias et al.,2020). However, it is important to note that standardizing the reconciliation process and medication education can play a significant role in reducing medication error incidences. Such a feat can be achieved by ensuring that patients get consistent and accurate information concerning the medication they are using.
Patient education in medication management has also been shown to play an important role in improving care outcomes, preventing adverse drug events, and promoting medication adherence (Rodziewicz & Hipskind, 2020). Therefore, offering the patient comprehensive and succinct information concerning their medications can help them actively participate in the care plan and enhance outcomes. The medication reconciliation process also helps in lowering discrepancies and improving medication safety during care transitions (Killin et al.,2020). Therefore, standardizing the procedures used in medication reconciliation and using technology such as electronic health record systems can help improve the process, hence lowering the risk of medication errors. Informatics also play an important role in supporting patient education initiatives and medication management. Therefore, integrating informatics solutions into the medication education and reconciliations process can help boost the safety and quality of medication-related care.
Conclusion
This informatics project for the organization focuses on improving patient safety by improving medication education and reconciliation process for the veterans. Therefore, its implementation will help address the veterans’ unique healthcare needs, improve medication management outcomes, and enhance patient safety. Data from the literature has shown that education initiatives play a prominent role in improving patient understanding and fostering their involvement in their health plans. This proposal has included various tools, such as the RACI chart and Gantt chart, among other important project management tools.
References
Astafeva, A., & Gazizulina, L. (2021). Project management tools in the organization of language training students in the technological university. In INTED2021 Proceedings (pp. 10659-10665). IATED. http://dx.doi.org/10.21125/inted.2021.2236
Booth, R., Strudwick, G., McMurray, J., Chan, R., Cotton, K., & Cooke, S. (2021). The future of nursing informatics in a digitally-enabled world. Introduction to Nursing Informatics, 395–417. 10.1007/978-3-030-58740-6_16
Bove, L., & Houston, S. M. (2020). Project Management Skills for Healthcare: Methods and Techniques for Diverse Skillsets. Productivity Press.
Dang, D., Dearholt, S. L., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2021). Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model and guidelines. Sigma Theta Tau.
Killin, L., Hezam, A., Anderson, K. K., & Welk, B. (2021). Advanced medication reconciliation: a systematic review of the impact on medication errors and adverse drug events associated with transitions of care. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 47(7), 438-451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2021.03.011
Manias, E., Kusljic, S., & Wu, A. (2020). Interventions to reduce medication errors in adult medical and surgical settings: a systematic review. Therapeutic Advances In Drug Safety, 11, 2042098620968309. https://doi.org/10.1177/2042098620968309
Ocloo, J., Garfield, S., Franklin, B. D., & Dawson, S. (2021). Exploring the theory, barriers, and enablers for the patient and public involvement across health, social care, and patient safety: A systematic review of reviews. Health Research Policy and Systems, 19, 1-21. Doi: 10.1186/s12961-020-00644-3
Rasool, M. F., Rehman, A. U., Imran, I., Abbas, S., Shah, S., Abbas, G., … & Hayat, K. (2020). Risk factors associated with medication errors among patients suffering from chronic disorders. Frontiers In Public Health, 8, 531038. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.531038
Rodziewicz, T. L., & Hipskind, J. E. (2020). Medical error prevention. StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Shirley, D. (2020). Project management for healthcare. CRC Press.
Sipes, C. (2023). Project management for the advanced practice nurse. Springer Publishing Company.
Skivington, K., Matthews, L., Simpson, S. A., Craig, P., Baird, J., Blazeby, J. M., … & Moore, L. (2021). Framework for the development and evaluation of complex interventions: gap analysis, workshop and consultation-informed update. Health Technology Assessment (Winchester, England), 25(57), 1. https://doi.org/10.3310%2Fhta25570
Yoder-Wise, P. S., & Sportsman, S. (2022). Leading and Managing in Nursing E-Book: Leading and Managing in Nursing E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Sample Answer 2 for NURS 8210 WEEK 6 DESIGNING A NURSING INFORMATICS PROJECT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION
Health informatics is the discipline focused on the collection, analysis, and use of health information to enhance health and healthcare outcomes. It can transform the delivery and quality of mental health treatment, especially for child mental health. EHR data may address inquiries about children who arrive at emergency rooms with mental health issues, suicide risk, and compliance with national quality standards (Kariotis et al., 2022). Nonetheless, a disparity exists between data analytics and clinically effective bedside instruments for mental health treatment, especially concerning pediatric mental health. Increased emphasis is necessary on integrating computational techniques, predictive analytics, and EHR data mining with point-of-care instruments. This nurse informatics project seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of electronic health records in enhancing mental healthcare services.
Nurse Leader of the Organization
The nurse leader managing the informatics project is positive about the impact of electronic health record technologies on improving patient care quality. EHRs are thought to enhance quality improvement programs by standardizing treatment, boosting efficiency, and enhancing clinical decision-making and communication among healthcare professionals (Lopez et al., 2021). To successfully execute this project, it is imperative to create Scope and Charter Documents that delineate the project’s purpose, objectives, stakeholders, deliverables, and constraints, thereby ensuring clarity regarding the project’s rationale, goals, participants, anticipated outcomes, and limitations.
Conversation
Collaboration with a nursing leader is crucial for the effective creation of Scope and Charter Documents for the adoption of Electronic Health Records (EHR) in a mental healthcare institution. The first phase in this process is identifying major stakeholders, both internal and external. Internal stakeholders include nurse leaders and staff nurses, who are the principal users of the EHR system and may provide essential insights about its integration with current processes (Fennelly et al., 2020). Furthermore, contributions from doctors and psychiatrists are essential to guarantee that the EHR fulfills clinical standards and successfully facilitates patient treatment. Additional internal stakeholders include the IT department, which is responsible for the technical implementation, and administrative personnel, whom modifications in scheduling and billing procedures may impact. External stakeholders, including EHR suppliers, regulatory agencies, and insurance providers, significantly influence the deployment process since their needs and compliance standards must be adhered to.
Establishing explicit project goals is a vital component of the dialogue with the nurse leader. The key objectives should be on augmenting patient care via the enhancement of data management and accessibility, consequently optimizing processes to alleviate administrative demands on healthcare practitioners. Ensuring adherence to legal and regulatory mandates for electronic health records is essential, as is enabling safe and efficient data exchange across authorized healthcare providers (Schwarz et al., 2021). By setting these goals, the project may fit with the broader aim of the mental healthcare institution, ensuring that the EHR implementation satisfies technical criteria and increases the quality of patient care.
Ultimately, defining roles and duties, formulating a project timeframe, and creating a risk management and communication strategy are essential elements that the nurse leader must address. Essential positions include a project manager to supervise the initiative, a clinical lead to facilitate communication between healthcare personnel and the project team, and an IT lead to oversee technological components. A well-defined project timetable, segmented into stages from planning and analysis to assessment and optimization, will facilitate adherence to the project schedule (Kariotis et al., 2022). Moreover, recognizing possible risks, such as data breaches or user resistance, and formulating mitigation methods would be crucial for a seamless deployment. An effective communication strategy with regular updates and feedback channels will guarantee that all stakeholders stay informed and involved throughout the process. By addressing these components, the EHR implementation may be thorough, satisfying the requirements of all stakeholders while improving the overall efficiency and quality of treatment in the mental healthcare institution.
SWOT Analysis
Implementing an Electronic Health Record system in a mental healthcare institution offers several strengths that may markedly improve patient care and operational efficiency. A key benefit is the availability of full and current patient information, which may enhance treatment results and facilitate greater coordination among healthcare practitioners (Goyal & Malviya, 2023). Furthermore, EHRs optimize administrative procedures, reducing documentation and enabling healthcare personnel to allocate more time to patient care. The system enables data analytics and reporting, supporting research and quality improvement programs while facilitating evidence-based practices via access to clinical guidelines and decision-support tools. Improved communication across departments and external providers also facilitates integrated care.
Nonetheless, the deployment of EHR systems has significant areas for improvement that may create obstacles for mental healthcare institutions. A notable disadvantage is the substantial initial expenditure related to the acquisition, implementation, and upkeep of these systems, along with the time and financial resources necessary for employee training. Moreover, the intricacy and usability challenges of EHR systems may induce discontent among personnel, thereby affecting operations throughout the transition phase. Since the possibility of data breaches and unauthorized access to private patient data necessitates strict security measures to comply with laws like HIPAA, privacy and security concerns are of utmost importance (Kariotis et al., 2022).
Numerous opportunities exist for the integration of Electronic Health Records systems in mental healthcare institutions. The prospect of cooperation with telehealth services and mobile health apps may improve patient involvement and care delivery. By using advancements in personalized medicine and predictive analytics, healthcare professionals may provide customized treatment programs that address unique patient requirements. Moreover, EHRs may enable patients by providing access to their health records, promoting active involvement in their healthcare process (Kariotis et al., 2022). Governmental regulatory incentives may facilitate the adoption of EHR systems, making it financially viable for hospitals to modernize their operations.
The shift to EHR systems is fraught with threats. Staff resistance to change may obstruct the adoption process since apprehensions over the unknown and insufficient confidence in using new technology may result in diminished morale and productivity. Technical difficulties, such as system failures or data loss, provide substantial hazards that may interrupt healthcare operations, underscoring the need for dependable IT assistance (Goyal & Malviya, 2023). Moreover, changing healthcare rules may need continual changes to EHR systems, complicating compliance efforts. To address these dangers, rigorous training, stakeholder participation, staggered deployment, strong security measures, and ongoing review are critical methods for the effective adoption of EHR in mental healthcare institutions.
Table 1: SWOT Analysis
S | STRENGTHS | The delivery of thorough and current patient information may enhance treatment results and facilitate enhanced coordination among healthcare professionals. |
W | WEAKNESSES | the substantial initial expenses related to the acquisition, implementation, and maintenance of these systems, together with the time and financial resources necessary for personnel training. |
O | OPPORTUNITIES | The prospect of cooperation with telehealth services and mobile health apps may improve patient involvement and care delivery. |
T | THREATS | Staff resistance to change may impede the adoption process since apprehensions over the unknown and a lack of trust in using new technology may result in diminished morale and productivity. |
Gap Analysis
Developing a Gap Analysis map for the information flow in the promotion of Electronic Health Records within a mental healthcare context necessitates a methodical approach that begins with delineating the existing situation. This entails pinpointing the genesis, such as the patient intake procedure, and cataloging current practices for information recording, storage, and retrieval. The existing procedures may include a combination of paper documentation and diverse digital technologies, resulting in inefficiencies. The last phase involves defining the desirable state, which aspires to have a fully integrated EHR system for smooth information exchange among healthcare providers (Tsai et al., 2020)—the preferred protocols prioritize accessibility, security, and efficient information exchange to improve patient care and coordination.
Recognizing deficiencies is essential in this study, emphasizing technology, procedures, training, and compliance. Technological deficiencies may result from obsolete systems that lack interoperability, while procedural deficiencies may cause delays and redundancies in information exchange. Training deficiencies suggest that personnel may need more skills to successfully use EHR systems, while compliance deficiencies underscore the need to adhere to standards like HIPAA. Examining the information flow indicates that existing processes often include manual data input across many systems, leading to inaccuracies. The intended process must guarantee that information is inputted once and, after that, updated automatically across all systems (Goyal & Malviya, 2023). Formulating an action plan entails investing in complete EHR solutions, optimizing processes, instituting training programs, and performing frequent compliance assessments to improve overall efficiency and efficacy in mental healthcare environments.
Gap Analysis Concept Map
By adhering to these stages, one may construct a Gap Analysis map that delineates the existing and aspirational states of information flow in the advancement of EHRs within a mental healthcare context. Recognizing and rectifying these deficiencies would enhance efficiency, precision, and adherence in the management of patient information (Kariotis et al., 2022).
Work Breakdown Structure
By using the electronic health record’s Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), the nurse informatics project may be broken down into smaller, easier-to-manage components. Sub-projects are often separated from initiatives. The goal of this measure is to increase production. Through cooperative efforts, this analysis moves from the overall project to specific individual tasks. A WBS may produce a project timeline, track progress, and detect possible risks. The WBS not only guarantees the comprehensive accounting of all project responsibilities but also communicates the project’s scope to stakeholders (Schwarz et al., 2021).
Work breakdown structure chart
PROJECT: NURSING INFORMATICS |
COMMENCING |
PLANNING |
PROCESS |
CONTROL |
ENDING |
Manage a team and find a Nurse Leader |
Schedule, tasks |
Budget |
Documentation |
Management planning |
Project Report |
Project Timeline Gantt chart
The project’s timeframe is as follows: Gantt charts are essential tools for project planning, monitoring progress, and communicating updates. They enable the efficient oversight of certain activities and provide a comprehensive understanding of the project (Goyal & Malviya, 2023). Employ a Gantt chart to monitor project progression and identify possible challenges and risks.
EHR nursing informatics project | October | November | December | |||||||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Planning | ||||||||||||
Analysis | ||||||||||||
Design | ||||||||||||
Coding | ||||||||||||
Testing | ||||||||||||
Implementation | ||||||||||||
Maintenance | ||||||||||||
Responsible Assignment Matrix RACI
RAM, an acronym for Responsibility Assignment Matrix, is a technique used to delineate and record the various roles and duties inside an organization. The matrix, as previously noted, is often referred to as a RACI matrix. Besides enhancing clarity and communication within an organization, sufficient RAM helps detect possible accountability gaps. Moreover, it may function as an essential tool in dispute settlement. A standard RAM comprises four columns (Goyal & Malviya, 2023):
- Responsible: This column offers a detailed summary of the persons or organizations liable for job execution.
- Accountable: This column offers a detailed summary of the individuals accountable for a job’s results.
- Consulted: This list enumerates the persons or organizations to be consulted when making job choices.
- Informed: This column offers a detailed inventory of the people or organizations that need to be updated on a task’s status.
RACI CHART
Code | Stands for | This is the person who is…. |
R | Responsible | Project Work Team |
A | Accountable | Supervisor, manager, or technical lead |
S | Supports | sponsors |
C | Consult | IT department |
I | Inform | project manager |
Communication Plan
The communication plan for the EHR project must include the following elements (Heponiemi et al., 2021):
- Introduction: The goal of the communication plan is to update all parties involved on the EHR project’s progress. The strategy has to outline who is in charge of communicating, how often, and what kinds of communication techniques will be used.
- Stakeholder Analysis: The communication plan must include every stakeholder involved in the EHR project, along with their roles and levels of interest. This will help choose the most effective way to communicate with each stakeholder.
- Communication goals: The communication strategy has to contain communication goals that include providing stakeholders with project updates, resolving issues, and building support.
- Communication strategies: The techniques required to accomplish the communication goals must be included in the communication plan. Town hall gatherings, focused messaging, and frequent updates are a few examples of these.
- Implementation: The communication plan has to specify who will be in charge of executing the program and provide an explanation of the methods for project management.
- Evaluation: Include how the communication strategy’s effectiveness will be determined. Interviews, focus groups, and surveys are a few possible techniques.
Change Management Plan
A new project aimed at enhancing an organization may significantly affect it. A strategy for managing change is a framework that provides approaches, rules of thumb, and tactics for dealing with problems in an efficient manner. The objective of the EHR initiative under the nurse informatics program is to enhance mental health patient care via optimal utilization of patient data management (Heponiemi et al., 2021). The hospital will deploy a new electronic health record system and include an interdisciplinary team as part of the program. To replace the present paper-based approach to collecting, organizing, and sharing patient data, a new system will be put in place.
The objective of the EHR program is to enhance patient care quality while decreasing costs and increasing efficiency, all of which will benefit the organization. An explicit protocol will be established across the organization to guarantee the precise documentation and retention of all information. The management plan requires stakeholder engagement (Tsai et al., 2020). The staff of mental hospitals, patients, patients’ relatives, governments, and insurance companies are among the stakeholders in the EHR project. Entities are those who contribute to the project’s effectiveness and ensure that it is carried out effectively.
The EHR project’s change management procedure, which will include the following components below, is included in the management plan (Heponiemi et al., 2021):
- Identifying the need for change: The change administration process begins with identifying the need for change. Any request for modification must be based on a thorough understanding of the problem that the EHR initiative is trying to address.
- Making change plans is the second stage of the change management procedure. The project’s objectives, stakeholders, change management protocol, and communication plan should all be included in the plan.
- Putting the upgrades into effect: The third phase in the change organization process is putting the change into action. The change must be applied in a way that affects the patients and the institution as negatively as possible.
- Assessment of the alteration: The fourth phase in the change management procedure is the appraisal of the difference. The adjustment must be evaluated to make sure the project’s objectives have been met.
Risk Management Plan
In the process of creation or project discussion, an inherent element of risk is there, often seen as a detrimental component. The plan will assess and appraise the risks associated with the project and formulate strategies to mitigate the impact of those risks (Van Rijt et al., 2021).
Risk Management Process
The risk management process includes the following phases (Zhang, 2020):
- Hazard identification: The first step involves identifying any risks that could have an impact on the project. Participate in brainstorming meetings with the project team, study relevant literature, and make predictions based on past performance.
- After risks have been identified, they should be evaluated for their likelihood of happening and their effects on the project.
- Manage risks: Following the assessment of risks, it is essential to implement control measures to mitigate or eliminate hazards.
- Continuously assess risks during the project to ensure effective management.
Concept Map
Risk Identification
Multiple risks have been highlighted for the EHR initiative:
- Inadequate user support: A critical risk to consider for this project is the possible difficulty in securing user endorsement. This circumstance may occur if consumers must acknowledge the benefits of using the Electronic Health Record system or face difficulties in accessing the system.
- Ensuring data protection: The security of the data stored in the EHR system is a further worry. The fact that sensitive patient data is included in the data makes this problem serious.
- Intervals of system inaccessibility: System downtime presents an increased risk. This event may result from insufficient system maintenance or technological difficulties (Van Rijt et al., 2021).
Risk Assessment
The following table delineates the particulars of the risk assessment findings for the EHR project:
Risk | Risk has a major role in the challenges that develop. | The risks are arranged by probability, with the most likely danger shown first and the least likely risk presented last (Zhang, 2020). |
probability | Summary of the project’s operational process | The EHR initiative is very likely to succeed. It must be finished within the specified timeline and financial constraints, and it is unlikely to encounter delays or cancellations (Schwarz et al., 2021). |
Impact | EHR achievements | The implementation of an Electronic Health Record project substantially affects patient security, privacy, and safety. The initiative substantially influences the efficacy and quality of therapy delivered (Zhang, 2020). |
Lack of user buy-in | The project’s success | The low level of user participation is explained by the way the risk assessment results directly affect the EHR project’s performance (Heponiemi et al., 2021). |
Medium | The EHR initiative could be riskier. | While certain risks are part of the project, they are thought to be relatively small ones. The program has some risks, such as the possibility of data loss, hacking, and aim failure (Schwarz et al., 2021). |
Data security | Result of the EHR | The primary threats are system breakdowns, data loss or stealing, and unauthorized access to the EHR system (Tsai et al., 2020). |
System downtime | Availability | System downtime denotes the inaccessibility of a system for utilization, as elucidated non the HER (Van Rijt et al., 2021). |
Risk Control
The following risk management strategies have been identified for the EHR project:
- Educating users on system usage helps mitigate the challenge of insufficient user engagement. This will elucidate the technology’s benefits and instruct users on its best usage.
- Installing encryption for stored information is a strategy to reduce data security risk. This will augment security measures to avert unauthorized access to the information.
- System backups: A supplementary control approach involves establishing system backups. This will mitigate the detrimental impacts of any system disruptions (Zhang, 2020).
Development of Nursing Informatics
The goal of the ongoing Development of Nurse Informatics project is to employ electronic health records to provide patients with higher-quality, safer care. The initiative’s goal is to establish national nursing IT standards in order to enhance the health system. This will increase the quality and safety of patient care by encouraging the adoption of electronic medical records in nursing practice. The practice of nursing in mental health facilities will be more efficient with the usage of EHRs. The electronic medical record systems initiative has the potential to greatly improve patient outcomes by improving the provision of mental healthcare services. The initiative has positively influenced the efficiency of mental health nursing practice. According to further studies, nurses’ time spent documenting patients was reduced by 25% as a result of using electronic health records (Schwarz et al., 2021). Research shows that the effectiveness of patient care coordination has increased with the implementation of electronic medical records (Hertzum et al., 2022). The program for Nursing Informatics Development significantly improves patient safety and quality. The initiative has a favorable effect on nursing practice efficiency.
Project Tools
Various tools are used to establish standards inside the organization, achieve goals, standardize and automate care, and educate staff and patients. According to Schwartz et al. (2021), these tools include staff training, calendars, policies, procedures, treatment protocols, orders, clinical routes, national guidelines, the HER system, documentation, and profiles.
Report
During the last pandemic, lasting around two years, there was a significant increase in the number of persons seeking home care. Consequently, there was a heightened need for supplementary home mental health nursing services. This substantial change led to a marked rise in nurse immigration due to the heightened demand. Because of the high demands of patient care, it took some time to get a meeting with nurse leaders (Zhang, 2020). To ensure that enough time is set out for the schedule and facilitate a seamless project transfer, it is wise to schedule a meeting with the nurse leader.
Summary
The objective of the Nursing Informatics program is to enhance the delivery of mental healthcare services via the use of electronic health record technology. Creating a nursing informatics system that enhances patient data management and raises the standard of care is the main goal of this project. The system is designed with the purpose of improving patient data monitoring, streamlining record-keeping, and encouraging ongoing contact between healthcare practitioners. In addition, the system will be used to improve service quality and patient safety. For registered nurses, patient data will be more accurate and easily accessible with the implementation of an electronic health record system. As part of the endeavor, a system for tracking and reporting nursing care quality will be built.
References
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