Setting of Project:
This tool kit can be used in any nursing informatics (NI) setting. In this project, it was used in an ambulatory care setting.
Problem to be Resolved:
Too often, informatics implementation is heavy on the hardware/software and light on the "human side." This presentation targets two key behaviors to ensuring implementation success: involving people and achieving unified understanding and agreement. The behavioral tool kit used in this project enables NI nurses to manage the human relationships in their practice.
Objectives of the Project:
Nursing informatics professionals will have developed a skill set to manage the human side of information technology (IT).
Methods:
This project used three human-relation processes. Change management theory is typically not included as a "process" part of IT implementation. Attention to group theory and role functions in groups is critical for NI professionals to deal with feelings. Six Hats Thinking is a practice tool to resolve feelings of anger and resistance to change.
Outcomes:
Better problem-solving and consensus-building team skills reduce change requests and postimplementation meetings. Focused meetings decrease time demands and keep meetings on schedule. Inclusiveness of all views reduces conflict, leading to better implementations.
Lessons Learned:
The behavioral interventions in this tool kit can be used by any NI professional with any mix of healthcare professionals in any clinical setting. Innovation is part of the "build" process. These interventions provide a systematic approach to problems, decisions, and opportunities. Results include more consistent IT implementations, better group function, and reduced stress for all concerned.
Section Description
We are pleased to share the paper presentation abstracts from the Summer Institute in Nursing Informatics, Informatics at the Point of Care: A Barrier or a Bridge?, held at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, July 22 to 25, 2009. The program, chaired by Dr Judy Ozbolt, was a great success. Each of the following abstracts was selected for presentation by a peer-review committee.