Health Information Technology Project:In previous Discussions and Applications, you have explored various aspects of health information technology systems: the historic development of HIT, how data flows across HIT systems, and standards and interoperability requirements including specific terminologies used in your practice setting. In this Application Assignment, you will have the opportunity to further develop your analysis skills by closely examining the implementation of a health information technology system.

Health Information Technology Project

As a Doctorally prepared nurse, you may find yourself in the position of leading a HIT project team; to be an effective leader and move health information technology projects forward in your organization, you must be able to logically and critically analyze the many aspects and challenges of implementing such a system and then present your insights in a succinct and professional manner. This exercise provides an opportunity to hone those skills.

Carefully review the project requirements below and plan your time accordingly. Be sure to refer to the standards of nursing informatics practice as you develop this Application, which serves as your Major Assessment for this course.

Health Information Technology Project

• Investigate      a health information technology (HIT) system or health information      technology application in your area of interest. The health information      technology system/application may be in any setting where health care      information is developed or managed. You may choose your system or      application from any organization or virtual environment.

• Examples       of health information technology systems or health information technology       applications that are acceptable include but are not limited to:

• Consumer        health applications
• Clinical        information systems
• Electronic        medical record (EMR) systems in hospitals or provider offices (SELECT THIS or)
• Home        health care applications
• School        health applications
• Patient        portal/personal health record (or SELECT THIS)
• Public        health information systems
• Telehealth        (i.e., from facility to home)
• Simulation        laboratories
• Health        care informatics research and development centers
• Discuss      your proposed health information technology system/application with your      Instructor before proceeding with your final selection. You may visit a      health care organization in person or virtually in order to make your      final choice about the health information technology system or health      information technology application of interest.
• Choose      the best strategy to gain information about your selected information      technology system/application. Some ways to gather information include      virtual visits; vendor demonstrations; on-site visits; interviews via      face-to-face, phone, or teleconference. You must conduct at least one      interview for this project.
• Complete      a literature search to gather information about your selected information      technology system. You may also need to review related scholarly articles      to help answer the questions presented below.

NOTE: In your submitted report, do not share proprietary information, personal names, or organization names without permission.

To complete:

Your deliverable is a 12- to 15-page scholarly report, not counting the title page or references. Include an introduction ending with a purpose statement and a conclusion. A successful report should leave the reader with confidence in understanding the answers to all the questions listed below. Graphics may be used to illustrate key points.

Organization Information

1) Briefly describe the health information technology system/application and the organization type (hospital, clinic, public health agency, health care software company, government health information website, private virtual health information site, etc.).

2) Is the health information technology system/application clinical, administrative, educational, or research related?

3) What were the key reasons for the development of this health information technology system/application, i.e., what made the organization believe this system/application was needed? How did this organization determine those needs? Did the organization use specific tools to conduct needs assessments, staff opinions, or workflows?

4) How did the organization determine that this specific system/application could fulfill its predetermined needs?

5) Who manages this health information technology system/application and where are they located within the organization’s administrative structure?

Information System Application Design and Development

1) Many health care systems have multiple independent entities that work together toward the common goal of providing high-quality care. How did—and do—the various stakeholders make decisions related to this health information technology system/application? Were the end users involved in the development of this health information technology system/application?

2) How are individuals trained to use the health information technology system/application?

3) How are security issues addressed? How does this health information technology system/application support a legally sound health care record?

4) Where did initial funds for this health information technology system/application come from?

5) Who manages the budget for this health information technology system/application?

6) Have organizational or political issues impacted the ongoing funding for this health information technology system/application?

7) What are the arrangements for planned or unplanned downtime?

8) How are health information technology system/application upgrades scheduled or planned?

9) How has the health information technology system/application changed in response to health care reform and related legislation?

10) What suggestions could you make regarding changes needed to support health care reform and related legislation?

Innovative Aspects of the System

1) How does the health information technology system/application utilize technology innovations?

2) What technology innovations would you recommend for this organization? What innovations presented in this course, or found through your own research, could this organization benefit from?

3) What innovations could further promote evidence-based practice and efficiency within this organization?

End Product

Your report is a scholarly paper and needs to include a minimum of 10 citations from peer-reviewed journals. Every statement made in a scholarly report must be supported by a reference. Be very cautious when stating your opinion, or using terms suggesting absolute facts, or values, as these must be supported by references. Note that textbooks, including the course texts, are composed of information cited from other sources (see the reference section in the course textbooks). With this in mind, there should be an adequate number of appropriate references (a minimum of 10). Please note that primary sources are to be used. Peer-reviewed journal articles should make up the bulk of your references (90%). If referring to a book, be sure to include all information in APA style, including specific page numbers when necessary. Note that an article referred to in a book is a secondary source. More on this topic is available in the APA Publication Manual and in the  Writing Center. See also “Policies on Academic Honesty” listed at the website.

A superior paper demonstrates breadth and depth of knowledge, and critical thinking appropriate for doctoral level scholarship. The report must follow APA Publication Manual guidelines (6th edition) and be free of typographical, spelling, and grammatical errors. This Application is the Major Assessment for this course.