Nurse informaticists and healthcare leaders formulate clinical system strategies. As these strategies are often based on technology trends, informaticists and others have then benefited from consulting existing research to inform their thinking. In this Assignment, you will review existing research focused on the application of clinical systems. After reviewing, you will summarize your findings. In a 4- to 5-page paper, synthesize the peer-reviewed research you reviewed. Be sure to address the following:
The application of clinical systems in healthcare is a topic that has been extensively researched in recent years. Nurse informaticists and healthcare leaders play a vital role in formulating strategies for the implementation and integration of these systems. In order for these strategies to be effective, it is important for informaticists and others involved to stay abreast of current technology trends and consult existing research in the field. This assignment aims to review existing peer-reviewed research on the application of clinical systems and synthesize the findings.
There is a significant body of research that explores different aspects of clinical systems and their impact on healthcare delivery. One important area of focus is the implementation process of these systems. Studies have shown that successful implementation of clinical systems requires careful planning, effective change management strategies, and the involvement of all key stakeholders. It is crucial to engage all members of the healthcare team, including clinicians, administrators, and IT staff, in the implementation process to ensure a smooth transition and avoid resistance to change (Dearholt et al., 2017).
Another aspect that has been extensively studied is the impact of clinical systems on patient outcomes. Research has shown that the effective use of these systems can lead to improved patient safety, reduced medication errors, and better coordination of care. For example, a study conducted by Westbrook et al. (2017) found that the use of electronic medication administration records significantly reduced the incidence of medication errors in hospitals.
In addition to patient outcomes, research has also explored the impact of clinical systems on healthcare efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Several studies have demonstrated that the use of electronic health records (EHRs) can lead to increased efficiency in documentation and information retrieval, reduced duplication of tests, and better resource allocation. For instance, a study by Hsiao and Hsiao (2018) showed that the implementation of an EHR system in a hospital resulted in significant cost savings by reducing paper-based documentation and improving workflow efficiency.
Furthermore, the integration of clinical systems with decision support tools has been a major focus of research in recent years. Decision support systems can provide clinicians with real-time clinical guidelines, alerts, and reminders, thereby improving adherence to best practices and reducing medical errors. Several studies have demonstrated the positive impact of decision support systems on clinical outcomes. For instance, a systematic review conducted by Moja et al. (2017) found that decision support systems significantly improved adherence to evidence-based guidelines and led to better patient outcomes.
Despite the numerous benefits of clinical systems, there are also challenges and barriers that need to be addressed. One common challenge is the interoperability of different systems and the ability to exchange data securely across healthcare settings. Lack of interoperability can hinder the seamless exchange of patient information and limit the potential benefits of clinical systems. Additionally, issues related to privacy, data security, and data governance need to be carefully addressed to ensure patient confidentiality and protect against unauthorized access to sensitive health information.
In conclusion, the application of clinical systems in healthcare has been the subject of extensive research. The findings of these studies highlight the importance of careful planning and effective implementation strategies for successful integration. Clinical systems have been shown to have a positive impact on patient outcomes, healthcare efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. The integration of decision support tools with clinical systems has also demonstrated significant improvements in adherence to best practices and patient outcomes. However, challenges related to interoperability, data security, and privacy need to be addressed to fully harness the potential benefits of these systems in healthcare.