Write a 4-6 page paper reporting your findings and reflecting on the experience of using the HealthIT SAFER guides to examine performance and risk in your chosen health care setting.Introduction
DNP-prepared nurses will be expected to lead large scale informatics/technology implementation projects. One of the keys to a successful project is understanding real or potential risks.As a DNP-prepared nurse, you may find yourself responsible for helping to ensure the security and integrity of data at your place of practice. With this in mind it is critical that you demonstrate a thorough understanding of HIPAA, privacy, and security rules and best practices. Additionally, for both this assessment and your practice, it will be important to solidify your understanding of the current CURES Act, which impacts the way in which providers and patients access and interact with health information. For this assessment, you will use the HealthIT SAFER Guides to identity not only data security and integrity risks, but all other risks related to the implementation of a technology/informatics solution within your chosen health care context.Note: Remember, the assessments in this course build upon one another. Also, keep in mind that your findings from the SAFER Guides will be used to inform your later assessments.Preparation
In preparation for this assessment, think about the technology/informatics you propose to implement as part of the practice change to address the safety, process, or quality issues identified in the previous assessments. Review the nine SAFER Guides with your proposed technology/informatics in mind. You will use the discoveries you uncover by using the SAFER Guides to identity risks, which you will address via the risk mitigation plan you will create in the next assessment, Risk Mitigation.If you are not familiar with the SAFER Guides, the How to Use the SAFER Guides [Video] may help you get started on this assessment.Instructions
Write a 4–6 page APA-formatted paper, discussing your experience using the SAFER Guides and identifying and describing any potential risks uncovered through the completion of such. Make sure to use the literature to support your findings.Overall, your assessment will be assessed based on the following criteria:
Describe the technology/informatics you propose to implement as part of a practice change to drive improvements in a chosen health care environment.
- You may wish to refer to your work in the previous assessments to help you compose this section.
Explain SAFER Guides findings related to areas where the chosen health care environment is performing well with regard to the proposed technology/informatics.
These will likely be areas in which you would have rated your chosen health care environment as “Fully in all areas” on the SAFER Guides.
Explain SAFER Guides findings related to risks with regard to the proposed technology/informatics in the context of the chosen health care environment.
These will likely be areas in which you would have rated your chosen health care environment as “Not implemented” on the SAFER Guides, but could also include areas you rated “Partially in some areas,” depending on how severe the risks might be.
Reflect on the experience of using the SAFER Guides to discover areas of risks and to focus improvement efforts.
Think about the process of using the SAFER Guides and how it helped you adopt a different point of view in your evaluation.
Convey purpose in a well-organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.
Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.
You may use the APA Style Paper Tutorial [DOCX] to help guide your structuring and formatting of this assessment.Additional Requirements
Your assessment should also meet the following requirements:
- Length: A 4–6 double-spaced page paper, not including the title page or reference list.
References: 2–4 scholarly or professional resources, no more than five years old.
- APA format: Submission should follow current APA style and formatting. Review the Evidence and APA section of the Writing Center for guidance.
- Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
Competency 1: Defend the selection of a technology to meet the needs of a health care organization.
- Describe the proposed technology/informatics to implement as part of a practice change to drive improvements in a chosen health care environment.
- Competency 2: Evaluate technology and its effect within a health care organization.
Explain SAFER Guides findings related to areas where the chosen health care environment is performing well with regard to the proposed technology/informatics.
- Competency 3: Evaluate and solve ethical and legal issues relating to health care technology.
- Explain SAFER Guides findings related to risks with regard to the proposed technology/informatics in the context of the chosen health care environment.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this paper, I will discuss my experience using the HealthIT SAFER Guides to examine performance and risk in a chosen healthcare setting. As a DNP-prepared nurse, it is crucial to understand the potential risks associated with technology implementation projects and ensure data security and integrity. The SAFER Guides provide a framework to identify and address risks related to the implementation of technology solutions. This paper will analyze the findings from the SAFER Guides, describe the proposed technology/informatics, discuss areas where the healthcare environment is performing well with regard to the proposed technology, identify risks uncovered, and reflect on the experience of using the SAFER Guides.
Answer to content:
The proposed technology/informatics solution for this practice change in the chosen healthcare environment is the implementation of a secure electronic health record (EHR) system. The EHR system will enable healthcare providers to access and interact with patient health information in a more efficient and comprehensive manner. It will improve patient care coordination, reduce medical errors, and enhance patient safety. The EHR system will also facilitate data analytics and population health management, supporting evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives.
The SAFER Guides findings indicate that the chosen healthcare environment is performing well in several areas with regard to the proposed EHR system. These areas include:
1. Communication: The healthcare environment has a well-established communication system, which can be leveraged to facilitate the implementation of the EHR system. Clear communication channels and protocols are in place to ensure effective information exchange among healthcare providers.
2. Patient identification: There is a standardized patient identification process in place, which is essential for accurately and uniquely identifying patients within the EHR system. This process will help avoid potential errors and improve patient safety.
3. Medication management: The healthcare environment has robust medication management processes, including medication reconciliation and barcode medication administration. Integrating these processes with the EHR system will ensure accurate medication orders and enhance patient medication safety.
While the healthcare environment is performing well in these areas, the SAFER Guides have also identified potential risks related to the proposed EHR system. These risks include:
1. Data security and privacy: The healthcare environment needs to strengthen its data security measures to protect patient health information within the EHR system. This involves implementing strict access controls, encryption, and regular security audits to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.
2. User training and support: Adequate training and support should be provided to healthcare providers to ensure their proficiency in using the EHR system. Lack of proper training may lead to errors and resistance from healthcare providers in adopting the new technology.
3. Workflow integration: The EHR system should be seamlessly integrated into existing workflows to minimize disruptions and maximize efficiency. This requires careful planning and workflow analysis to identify potential bottlenecks and inefficiencies during the implementation process.
Reflecting on the experience of using the SAFER Guides, it proved to be a valuable tool for identifying areas of risk and focusing improvement efforts. The SAFER Guides provided a systematic approach to evaluate the healthcare environment’s readiness for the proposed technology. It helped me adopt a different perspective and identify potential vulnerabilities that may impact the successful implementation of the EHR system. By using the SAFER Guides, I was able to proactively address these risks and develop a comprehensive risk mitigation plan in the next assessment.
In conclusion, the SAFER Guides proved to be an effective tool for assessing performance and risk in the chosen healthcare setting. The findings highlighted both areas of strength and areas of improvement related to the implementation of the proposed EHR system. By addressing the identified risks, healthcare organizations can ensure the successful adoption and utilization of technology solutions to drive improvements in patient care and outcomes.
