Question
scenario:You work at healthcare facility and they are changing from manual document system to (EHR) system. they want nurse input to help pick appropriate product.Explain how and why needs assessment must be done before new EHR is picked.Describe some factors to consider in needs assessment.Explain what data to collect & how/where u can assess it. describe who to consult&why.3peer rev reference <5yrs, +Hebda.
Sample paper
INFORMATICS NEEDS ASSESSMENT – HCS482
Introduction
According to Clarke, M. A., Belden, J. L., Koopman, R. J., Steege, L. M., Moore, J. L., Canfield, S. M., & Kim, M. S. (2013), an electronic health record (EHR) is a digital or an electronic version of patient health information. The EHR provides synchronized, instantly, and secured information to authorized users. The system doesn’t offer medical and treatment history of a patient but outlines a broader view of their care. The change from manual document system to EHR system is an appropriate step towards giving better services to the patients. However, the healthcare facility should carry a needs assessment before the selection of a new EHR. The reason for an intensive needs assessment is because it is complex and costly for a health facility to undertake.
How to carry on a needs assessment
The purpose of the need assessment is to define clearly what is needed in an EHR. The best way to do a successful need assessment is by involving the stakeholders who will in the end use the EHR. Once the team is ready, all participants may be used to describe their view on the system and the needs that should be fulfilled by the system. The needs assessment can only be complete after the readiness assessment and workflow analysis has been carried on. The readiness assessment ensures that there is shortage in the practice to merit delay or discontinuous of the EHR process (Keating, S. B. 2014). In these assessment questions of financial status of the facility, EHR as a strategic plan, implementation of other supportive technology, and technological equipment to hold the EHR system must be asked and resolved. In workflow analysis, it involves the review of how the practice finalizes the task allied with the encounter of the patients and connected components. It includes scheduling follow-up visits, billing and collection, and entering clinical notes.
Why needs assessment must be done before new EHR
The process allows or facilitates feedback from all the involved people. It also ensures that the stakeholders have a sense of ownership in the project, which improves the staff buy-in and use of EHR later. It minimizes resistance to corporate culture and change.
Factors to consider in needs assessment
The impact on resources is a major factor as there are expenses that are linked with obtaining computer hardware and software. Resistance to change is a behavior that is normal but with proper management it can effectively be overcome. The executive support is critical to the implementation of the EHR system (Hebda, T., & Czar, P. 2013). Finally, the EHR will impact the corporate culture. There should be proper management of any resultant reaction for the cultural change.
Collection of data and where you can assess it
Data can be accessed through government agencies, journals and magazines, the internet, from experienced personnel and so forth. The information can be collected through questioners, emails and telephone calls.
Who to consult and why it is necessary to consult them
The following people can be consulted on the implementation of the HER system: filling staff, office managers, billing service, medical assistance, front desk, nurses, physicians, shareholders, government agencies, patients, nongovernmental institutions, and other health facilities that have successfully implemented the EHR system (Lorenzi, N. M., & Riley, R. T. 2013). It is necessary to consult them so as to capture the specific needs of the health facility are satisfied by the system.
Conclusion
Before an EHR system is implemented, there is a need of following the due process to avoid disappointments by the system. One of the requirements of a successful EHR implementation is to carry an intensive needs assessment. The paper outlines the informatics needs assessment in details. It also shows the various stakeholders that are useful in ensuring the success of the project.
References
Clarke, M. A., Belden, J. L., Koopman, R. J., Steege, L. M., Moore, J. L., Canfield, S. M., & Kim, M. S. (2013). Information needs and information‐seeking behaviour analysis of primary care physicians and nurses: a literature review. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 30(3), 178-190.
Hebda, T., & Czar, P. (2013). Handbook of informatics for nurses & healthcare professionals (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Keating, S. B. (2014). Curriculum development and evaluation in nursing. Springer Publishing Company.
Lorenzi, N. M., & Riley, R. T. (2013). Organizational aspects of health informatics: managing technological change. Springer Science & Business Media.
