Thursday, September 9, 2010
module 2 - evaluating an electronic information system
We just did this! At my workplace we use electronic charting exclusively. However we (the nurses) have found several "holes" in the information requested. So we began by making a list of what we'd like to see added to our system. They were just little things like reporting abdominal pain as a reason for having an EGD (esophageal-gastro-duodenal) endoscopy exam. There were other choices like anemia, nausea, vomiting, dysphagia... but not pain which is a fairly common reason. (We had to type this into the notes section.) So we made our wish list which included about 25 items. At our staff meeting the other day we were told that those items would be added along with a better design of our medication reconciliation screen (a much needed change). The cost would be about $5,000 and it would take 90 days. Wow, was I surprised. Not only did the cost surprise me but the time frame needed. I must admit I've never done any computer programing. Now I have a bit more respect for the guys who do this. It must take more than I imagined.
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Hi Maryann,
ReplyDeleteThe experience you describe falls under usability evaluation of the electronic system. Usually it is recommend that usability evaluation and a pilot study be conducted to identify issues and areas of improvement before a system is fully implemented. You guys were doing this. Nice job!
At my work, we wanted everything to work perfectly especially for our home health staff out in the field. we have our CFO as our IS specialist and we often show impatience when things are slow to happen. There are always glitches and cost and some other factors involved which I didn't realize until I was involved in some of the processes. It's amazing that we are not only nurses. We are also becoming "techno geeks".
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