NURS FPX 8012 Assessment 3 SAFER Guides and Evaluating Technology Usage

NURS FPX 8012 Assessment 3 SAFER Guides and Evaluating Technology Usage

Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX 8012 Nursing Technology and Health Care Information Systems

Prof. Name

Date

SAFER Guides and Evaluating Technology Usage

In the modern healthcare landscape, the integration of technological advancements has become increasingly prevalent. However, healthcare professionals must thoroughly understand the potential risks associated with the implementation of such innovations. This is particularly crucial for Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nurses, who may be tasked with leading large-scale informatics implementation projects. Identifying and mitigating these risks is essential to safeguard patient data integrity and ensure safety within healthcare environments (Scantlebury et al., 2021).

The SAFER Guides offer a structured approach to assessing the implementation of electronic health record (EHR) systems as a solution to address safety, process, or quality issues in healthcare settings. This study examines the application of these guides in evaluating the implementation of an EHR system at Allen Hospital (Aguirre et al., 2019). Findings from this assessment will help inform the development of a risk mitigation plan in future evaluations. By utilizing the SAFER Guides, DNP nurses can comprehensively understand the risks of implementing informatics solutions in healthcare, which is vital for ensuring patient safety, data integrity, and the success of informatics projects (Flaubert et al., 2021).

EHR as a Practice Change to Drive Improvements

The introduction of an EHR is a proposed informatics solution aimed at transforming practice to improve patient care and outcomes in healthcare settings (Tsai et al., 2020). Replacing the paper-based record-keeping system with a digital platform, the EHR will enable healthcare providers to access patient information from a centralized location. The EHR will capture and store patient data, including medical history, diagnoses, medications, allergies, laboratory results, and radiology reports. The primary goal of the EHR implementation is to improve patient care by providing healthcare providers with easy access to accurate, up-to-date patient information (Adane et al., 2019). This ensures informed clinical decisions, reducing errors and enhancing patient safety. Additionally, the EHR will streamline administrative processes such as billing and scheduling, increasing efficiency and reducing costs while improving patient satisfaction.

NURS FPX 8012 Assessment 3 SAFER Guides and Evaluating Technology Usage

SAFER Guide Findings Related to Risks

The SAFER Guides assessment of the EHR system at Allen Hospital also identified several risks. These include concerns related to hardware and software scalability, contingency planning, system interfaces, patient identification, clinical workflows, and communication. For instance, the hospital’s IT infrastructure may not adequately support the new EHR system, potentially leading to system downtime and data loss (Keshta & Odeh, 2020). Moreover, the EHR system may require significant hardware upgrades, and robust contingency plans are necessary to safeguard against system failure or data loss (McGowan et al., 2022). Additionally, the new system’s interoperability with existing systems, such as the laboratory information system, could present data consistency challenges (Khubone et al., 2020).

Using the SAFER Guide to Discover Areas of Risk and Improvements

The SAFER Guides proved invaluable in identifying potential risks associated with the EHR implementation at Allen Hospital. This process emphasized the importance of proactive risk management and collaboration with stakeholders, including IT staff, clinicians, and administrators, to ensure a comprehensive risk mitigation plan (Bhagat et al., 2020). This experience will guide future practice as a DNP nurse, highlighting the significance of collaboration and risk assessment in informatics projects within healthcare settings.

Conclusions

The SAFER Guides were instrumental in identifying both risks and areas for improvement in implementing the EHR system at Allen Hospital. These findings enabled the development of a risk mitigation plan to support the successful implementation of the EHR. As a DNP nurse, the lessons learned from using the SAFER Guides will inform future informatics projects, emphasizing the importance of risk assessment, mitigation, and collaboration in healthcare technology initiatives (Run et al., 2019).

References

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Aguirre, R. R., Suarez, O., Fuentes, M., & Sanchez-Gonzalez, M. A. (2019). Electronic health record implementation: A review of resources and tools. Cureus, 11(9). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.5649

Bhagat, S., Kapatkar, V. K., Mane, A., Pinto, C., Parikh, D., Mittal, G., & Jain, R. (2020). An industry perspective on risks and mitigation strategies associated with post conduct phase of clinical trials. Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials, 15(1), 28–33. https://doi.org/10.2174/1574887114666191016103332

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Flaubert, J. L., Menestrel, S. L., Williams, D. R., & Wakefield, M. K. (2021). Educating nurses for the future. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573912

Keshta, I., & Odeh, A. (2020). Security and privacy of electronic health records: Concerns and challenges. Egyptian Informatics Journal, 22(2), 177–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eij.2020.07.003

NURS FPX 8012 Assessment 3 SAFER Guides and Evaluating Technology Usage

Khubone, T., Tlou, B., & Mashamba-Thompson, T. P. (2020). Electronic health information systems to improve disease diagnosis and management at point-of-care in low and middle income countries: A narrative review. Diagnostics, 10(5), 327. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics10050327

McGowan, J., Wojahn, A., & Nicolini, J. R. (2022). Risk Management Event Evaluation and Responsibilities. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559326

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Scantlebury, A., Sheard, L., Fedell, C., & Wright, J. (2021). What are the implications for patient safety and experience of a major healthcare IT breakdown? A qualitative study. DIGITAL HEALTH, 7(3), 205520762110100. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076211010033

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