DNP 805 Week 8 Assignment Evaluation of Health Care Technology GCU
DNP 805 Week 8 Assignment Evaluation of Health Care Technology GCU
DNP 805 Week 8 Assignment Evaluation of Health Care Technology GCU
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Information technology has caused a revolutionary effect in most if not all industrial sectors in the world. Healthcare is among the many areas that have been transformed by the emergence of the internet and relative technologies, including application programing interfaces (APIs), databases, and smart devices such as wearables, smartphones, computers, and video monitoring gadgets (Koohjani, Aslani, Abasi, & Kyiani, 2019). With these innovations, the delivery of care has improved in terms of convenience and efficacy. Telehealth is a common phrase that comes into the mind when exploring the use of information and communications technology in healthcare. This phrase is often used interchangeably with others including telemedicine and telecare. It suffices to resolve this lexicological error by clarifying that the former incorporates the latter.
Also noteworthy is the fact that telemedicine revolves around the delivery of specialized care and vending industry services/products via remote portals: WebMD, Mayo Clinic, and other vending portals offer perfect examples of the same. On the other hand, telecare is a patient-centric module, which allows patients to apply self-care through monitoring their health status and reporting to providers (Bosignore et al., 2018). Together, these terms are supposed to be classified under telehealth rather than using them interchangeably. On that note, it appears wise to assert that the dynamic nature of such interventions necessitates effective evaluation protocols. The three primary elements of focus when assessing the user-interfaces (UI) of such systems should include structure, process, and outcomes. It is important to understand that each of the mentioned facets is broad by default. The present paper attempts to shed light on this matter by discussing the dynamics behind the same, and how they can be analyzed to promote convenience and efficacy in telehealth interventions.
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Structure – Leveraging Interoperability to Determine Functionality
Structure is the most essential aspect of an information technology system since it determines its
functionality. Ineffective structures are usually characterized by systemic failures resulting from mismanagement/misrepresentation/loss of data, poor system integration, and security breaches. At this point, it is fair to consider the issue of interoperability. A typical telehealth system interacts with a broad range of human users and ICT systems to deliver real-time services to users regardless of their role in the system. The primary users of such networks include care providers, government, software engineers, and patients (Ellimoottil et al., 2018). Each of them has a role that ought to be assumed effectively for the system to function as designed. When placed into perspective, patients can only access health status reviews after updating their information in the system while the government is in a position to pursue progressive policies only after accessing data from both providers and patients (Koohjani, Aslani, Abasi, & Kyiani, 2019). Meanwhile, software engineers need real-time reports on the users’ experience with the system to make further advancements to enhance its value to all members.
Clearly, such demands compel telehealth system developers to leverage the power of interoperability to enhance user interaction with the system. This structural objective requires the system to be designed in such a manner that it integrates seamlessly with other systems. For the sake of clarity, it is wise to highlight that such systems might include the federal government’s Electronic Health Records (EHR), patient portals (mainly applets on smart devices), provider portals (hospital systems), finance systems (insurance providers and mobile payment systems), and external media portals for attracting new users (Rixon et al., 2017). Since there is an endless list of human users and automated systems that must interact with the telehealth vendor to enhance its capacity to serve conveniently and effectively, developers must ensure that they apply a structure that will integrate all processes seamlessly.
Unfortunately, promoting interoperability in a system is a major challenge faced by telehealth vendors. Such a bold claim is deeply ingrained on the fact that it involves highly complex back-end technicalities. In attempt to understand the preceding sentiment, the reader is urged to reflect on the wide range of programing languages available for software developers: some of them include Java, Python, C++, C, JavaScript, Scala, GoLang, Kotlin, Android, Ruby, and Swift among many others (Clay-Williams et al., 2017). Since not all systems are developed using a common language, it is the role of the telehealth engineers to ensure that the vendor can communicate with other systems regardless of the language barrier. Such a scenario affirms the notion that interoperability is a major indicator of a system’s functionality: full integration implies that the telehealth vendor can function in a broad range of circumstances, thus, making it convenient and efficient.
Process – Evaluating System Integrity based on Use Cases and Encryption Techniques
‘Use cases’ is a common terminology in the world of ICT development, which allows the engineers to explore the processes that should occur within a system. A clear perspective at this point is elemental in ensuring that all users are served effectively while safeguarding the system from malicious attacks. In their phenomenal piece, Rixon and colleagues (2017) argued that the processes within an ICT system, especially a telehealth infrastructure should be accessible, intelligent, and secure. Accessibility is a major factor behind the development of telehealth vendor systems since its chief goal is to provide healthcare services remotely. When evaluating this dynamic, analysts should consider use cases such as the patient’s ability to schedule an appointment as well as the provider’s capacity to conduct an appointment. A commendable system ought to incorporate live booking/chats and video conferencing for both use cases.
Security is a crucial determinant of system integrity, so it ought to be approached diligently. A typically secure system capitalizes on data encryption using cyphertext techniques including data encryption standard (DES), standard query language (SQL), cryptosystem algorithms such as Rivest-Sharmir-Adleman (RSA), and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) (Clay-Williams, et al., 2017). These tactics are often applied to encrypt data packets in transit to prevent hackers from hijacking the information for malicious purposes. Also, additional measures such as QR codes, two-factor authentication, and fingerprint scanning can also be implemented to ensure that the end-user’s data are safeguarded from unauthorized access via their user-interface. It is important to understand that the use-cases are vital in determining the target users who should access particular data. Otherwise, information should be encrypted to avoid exposure to unauthorized members/non-members. An intelligent system ought to utilize the same knowledge (based on a broad range of use-cases) to avoid relaying information into a wrong system. Most importantly, all data dissemination processes should be in-line with HIPAA rules on cybersecurity and privacy.
Outcomes – Exploring the clinical outcomes of automated processes
Unlike the previously discussed elements of an effective telehealth user interface, this one focuses on the human aspect of the network. Here, emphasis is placed on its usability from the patients’ and providers’ point-of-view since the system is usually designed to enhance healthcare processes and outcomes (Koohjani, Aslani, Abasi, & Kyiani, 2019). On this note, an analyst should engage both types of users in an exploratory study to determine whether they find it convenient and effective. Questions at this point should focus on seamlessness, user engagement, ease-of-use, billing system functionality, and available analytical tools for professionals (Rixon, et al., 2017). Each of the mentioned functions are observable by an end-user, so the analyst can still sign into the system from both ends to check whether it is usable. Unnecessary complexities and subtlety are red-flags when it comes to such systems. An effective telehealth vendor should improve the quality and cost of care through delivering remote services in easy-to-use user interfaces.
Conclusion
Technology is an inseparable determinant of care now that it has transformed how healthcare information is shared among providers and patients via portals. A commendable system is one that leverages the power of interoperability, encryption techniques, and integration to enhance functionality, integrity, and usability. Since telehealth is a novel phenomenon in the healthcare industry, it should be approached progressively on a trial-and-error basis until it serves its purpose. Analysis of such systems should always be tethered around structure, process, and outcomes since they offer deep ground for further explorations.
References
Bonsignore, L., Bloom, N., Steinhauser, K., Nichols, R., Allen, T., Twaddle, M., & Bull, J. (2018). Evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth program in a rural palliative care population: TapCloud for palliative care. Journal of pain and symptom management, 56(1), 7-14. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0885392418301520
Clay-Williams, R., Baysari, M., Taylor, N., Zalitis, D., Georgiou, A., Robinson, M., & Westbrook, J. (2017). Service provider perceptions of transitioning from audio to video capability in a telehealth system: a qualitative evaluation. BMC health services research, 17(1), 558. Retrieved from https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-017-2514-7
Ellimoottil, C., An, L., Moyer, M., Sossong, S., & Hollander, J. E. (2018). Challenges and opportunities faced by large health systems implementing telehealth. Health Affairs, 37(12), 1955-1959. Retrieved from https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/abs/10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05099
Koohjani, Z., Aslani, A., Abasi, S., & Kyiani, S. (2019). A Comprehensive Tool for Usability Evaluation of Telehealth. Studies in health technology and informatics, 261, 168-173. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=m2OmDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA168&dq=evaluating+telehealth+systems&ots=yQBh2olrJJ&sig=zAUTEMuu79MLI8Z54Z1EOi8fvac
Rixon, L., Hirani, S. P., Cartwright, M., Beynon, M., Doll, H., Steventon, A., & Newman, S. P. (2017). A RCT of telehealth for COPD patient’s quality of life: the whole system
Details
For this assignment, you will utilize content from the course materials as well as additional qualified resources to synthesize new information which you can apply towards your DPI Project, your future work area or your clinical practice as a DNP-prepared nurse.
General Guidelines:
Use the following information to ensure successful completion of the assignment:
- This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
- Doctoral learners are required to use APA style for their writing assignments. The APA Style Guide is located in the Student Success Center.
- This assignment requires that at least two additional scholarly research sources related to this topic, and at least one in-text citation from each source be included.
- You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
DNP 805 Week 8 Assignment Evaluation of Health Care Technology GCU
Directions:
For this assignment, write a 1,000-1,250 word paper in which you:
- Select a technology that has been explored in the course.
- Perform an assessment using elements of user-technology interface or human factors methods to determine functionality.
- Using the content in the readings and textbook, list three elements that will be used to evaluate the user-technology interface.
- Select a technology and list the elements that will be evaluated. Include their definition and describe how the element would be measured or evaluated.
- For each element, propose practicable suggestions for improvement using support from the literature.
Portfolio Practice Hours
It may be possible to earn Portfolio Practice hours for this case report. Enter the following after the references section of your paper:
DNP 805 Week 8 Assignment Reflective Journal
Details:
Learners are required to maintain a reflective journal integrating leadership and inquiry into current practice.
In your journal, reflect on the personal knowledge and skills gained in the this course and address a variable combination of the following: new practice approaches, intraprofessional collaboration, health care delivery and clinical systems, ethical considerations in health care, population health concerns, the role of technology in improving health care outcomes, health policy, leadership and economic models, and/or health disparities. Outline what you have discovered about your professional practice, personal strengths and weaknesses that surfaced, what additional resources and abilities could be introduced to a given situation to influence optimal outcomes, and finally how you met the competencies aligned to this course.
You are not required to submit this assignment to Turnitin.
Submit your reflective journal both to the instructor and in the Typhon Tracking System under the corresponding course section. Failure to submit your journal in both the course room and Typhon systems may result in a grade of Incomplete for the course.
This presentation includes a definition of nursing informatics and discusses the history of nursing informatics and how it has evolved. I will also discuss how nursing informatics impacts nursing leadership, clinical practice, administration, education, and research. In addition, I will explain how government regulation can impact organizational policy on health information systems. I will also explain nurse-led innovation relating to the advances in informatics and how informatics innovation can improve the quality of patient care.
Nursing informatics is a specialty that integrates nursing science with information and analytical sciences. It seeks to identify, define, manage, and communicate information and knowledge in nursing practice. A nurse informaticist uses their clinical skills with knowledge of technology, computers, and data (Asiri, 2018). Nurse informaticists take on complex tasks like utilizing health data to analyze patient care outcomes and training other nursing staff on new patient care technology. Nursing informatics is committed to delivering high-quality patient care through efficient management of data and technology systems. Nurse informaticists use data to analyze trends, monitor for errors, and implement new, more efficient information systems (Asiri, 2018). Nursing informatics focuses on patient care, particularly by optimizing the technology used by nurses.
The term nursing informatics was first proposed by Scholes and Barber in 1976. The first computer applications in nursing practice appeared in the literature in the early 1970s. In the 70s, nursing informatics was supported by the development of some of the early health information systems (HIS) by multiple agencies in the US (Blažun Vošner et al., 2020). The HIS included nursing care planning and documentation. Besides, nurses were involved in interdisciplinary efforts that sought to develop and implement applications that support health care. Through the ’80s, NI practice, education, and scholarship thrived and grew in the US (Blažun Vošner et al., 2020). In the 1990s, large integrated healthcare delivery systems evolved, which further created the need for information across healthcare organizations within the large systems to regulate processes, control costs, and assure the quality of care.
Since the introduction of computer applications in nursing, nursing informatics has evolved to become one of the foundation stones of the health informatics field. Nursing informatics has evolved not only in practice but also in education and research. In 1988, the first graduate program in Nursing Informatics was launched at the University of Maryland School of Nursing focusing on understanding nursing informatics systems and science (Asiri, 2018). In 1990, the University of Utah launched a graduate program for Nursing Informatics targeting the transformation of data into clinical decision-making. In 1992, Nursing Informatics was formally recognized as a nursing specialty by the American Nurses Association. In 1995 Nursing Informatics certification was introduced through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). In 2003, the first doctorate in nursing with a healthcare informatics option was introduced at the University of Arizona College of Nursing (Asiri, 2018). Today, with the advancement in technology, more institutions are offering varied Nursing Informatics degrees as a part of their nursing programs.
Nursing informatics helps nurse leaders to combine their analytical and clinical skills to provide their patients with the highest quality care. Nurse leaders must demonstrate abilities and develop specific informatics competencies to provide meaningful leadership and support the continuing transformation of the healthcare system (Kennedy & Moen, 2018). They are required to leverage healthcare technology to improve healthcare goals. Research shows that nurse leaders who have adopted healthcare technology have significantly improved outcomes for all stakeholders, including patients, nurses, and healthcare teams (Kennedy & Moen, 2018). Nurse leaders are positioned to adopt informatics research to improve patient care. Furthermore, nurse leaders are now using informatics to analyze trends in patient care and identify potential errors in delivering care.
Nursing informatics plays a key role in the nursing process. Nurses obtain patient information and use the data to develop nursing care plans, execute the plan, and communicate findings with other providers. Advances in nursing informatics have enabled nurses to access vital patient data with the click of a button. In hospitals and clinic offices, providers have access to electronic health records, which enable them to access private and confidential patient health information in a secure environment (Al Najjar & Shafie, 2022). In addition, informatics has impacted clinical practice through services such as telehealth, which provide a channel for client education and medical and healthcare services like health monitoring and clinical diagnosis (Al Najjar & Shafie, 2022). Currently, health providers can communicate and plan care more effectively, in collaboration with patients and other providers, owing to technological advances.
Nursing informatics is revolutionizing how health care is delivered. Healthcare systems are integrating wireless solutions, high-speed data networks, handheld devices, automated exchanges between organizations/providers and patients, and various social media platforms into their daily interactions (Al Najjar & Shafie, 2022). Informatics has helped healthcare administrators and managers to communicate more efficiently with the medical personnel in their organizations. Furthermore, informatics helps healthcare administrators to customize incentive plans for patients. Health informaticists help managers in the healthcare industry access pertinent information to produce actionable insights that enhance both therapeutic and organizational efficiency (Kennedy & Moen, 2018). Informatics enables health administrators to access patient data that enables them to provide administrative services, like appropriately billing patients.
The evolvement of nursing informatics has led to the establishment of degree programs in informatics to equip nurses with knowledge and skills in this field. Graduate programs at Master’s and Doctorate levels continue to grow. They provide education, certification, and credentialing to expand the knowledge, skills, and vision required for the nursing informatician of today and tomorrow (Singh & Masango, 2020). In addition, nursing informatics has led to the introduction of informatics in the nursing curricula to teach nursing students to use technology and informatics. This ensures that nursing students acquire the necessary psychomotor skills related to the use of technology hardware and software important in healthcare settings.
Informatics literacy is considered a vital issue in improving nursing evidence-based practice (EBP). Informatics and computer skills are crucial components that support and reinforce the EBP framework. Nurses and other health providers are expected to have high-level information literacy to improve their science-based performance (Abdekhoda & Khezri, 2021). The clinical team particularly nurses who have a crucial role in caring for patients, use informatics to obtain information on the latest changes related to clinical care. They also use informatics to update themselves on the latest clinical information to better patient care. Health providers use online databases to stay up-to-date on current research and make decisions based on that research, thus increasing the chances of improved health care. To effectively search databases, nurses must have information literacy skills like how to organize information in databases, create and arrange search terms, and create search strategies to obtain high-quality literature in research (Abdekhoda & Khezri, 2021).
Government regulations lay the foundation for the documenting, storing, and use of electronic health information (EHI). Government laws play a key role in enabling health departments to use HIT to optimize systems that use patient information to monitor population health trends and interface with similar HIT systems used by healthcare providers and hospitals (Ramanathan et al., 2018). The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) creates regulations that outline the standards and certification criteria that EHRs must meet to assure health providers and hospitals that the systems they take on can perform various functions (Ramanathan et al., 2018). Thus, this regulation can affect organizational policies on EHR systems since hospitals must comply with and adopt EHR systems that meet the ONC’s regulations. Government regulations like the HITECH Act drive health organizations to adopt security that promotes secure electronic health information exchange.
The rapid development of healthcare technology gives opportunities for innovations to transform healthcare practices. Nurse-led innovation is vital for enhancing workflow. It should be encouraged and backed up by health systems, and academic settings. Nurse informatics brings added value to the innovation space by consistently focusing on patient quality and safety while promoting a high standard of care (Kelley, 2019). With the widespread use of EHR and clinical information system, nurses have been introduced to the change-making process that involves diffusing innovation in healthcare. Nursing informatics innovations are anticipated to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, safety, timeliness, and patient-centeredness in patient care and improve patients’ access to healthcare services (Kelley, 2019). However, adopting nursing informatics innovations should be guided by evidence and there should be careful deliberation of anticipated and possibly unintended outcomes.
Informatics innovations can be used to develop healthcare systems that help providers to identify potentially harmful treatment or prescription errors, refine retrieval of patient records, and increase the safety of patient information. Informatics innovation can be used to improve documentation, which is a vital part of the nursing profession (Kelley, 2019). Innovations that enable nurses to document a patient’s condition and share the information electronically can enable nurses more effectively manage patent care, and improve the quality of care.
Health informatics innovation can also help to obtain important patient data that can prevent medical errors. For example, innovations in electronic records can provide information about a potential medication interaction or allergy that may not otherwise be immediately evident. Furthermore, informatics innovation can improve the coordination of patient care (Kelley, 2019). This is by enabling providers to incorporate data into their workflow, making them more productive and improving their ability to provide better care.
The nurse informatician has the role of using data to generate knowledge that improves patient care and administrative functioning. The nurse can access information databases and link the information with patient records to make data-driven decisions about patient care. The information from the databases and patient records can be used to gener