Nickell, a 14-year IT veteran, designed the build and worked with the device professional to build the workflows and develop special server configurations. The implementation team included IT services, nursing leadership, 12 unit nurse educators, and six staff members from the education and training department. “Just-in-time” training for an average of 30 to 60 minutes per person was provided to the nurses and nurse technicians on the units.
Karen Nickell
Compliance was continually measured post-implementation, says Dow. Tiger leadership followed up with nurse coordinators on floors where nurse techs were still using paper, and worked with them to ensure compliance. “I actually ran weekly reports and sent it to the management of the units so they could look on it and see which of their staff was using [mobile documentation] and getting the information in a timely manner,” says Nickell. “And if someone’s name was not on that report, they could go talk to them. Educators and managers were adamant that this would be used for patient safety and workflow.”
To measure success, a pre- and post-implementation time study was conducted, and significant improvements were found. The average length of time from point of collection to results documentation in the EHR decreased from 32 minutes to 2.2 minutes. This project has resulted in improved patient care and safety, efficient nursing workflow, and care team satisfaction, say Dow and Nickell. Documentation errors have been reduced, electronic health advisor rules now trigger in a timely manner and the care team workflow and satisfaction is improved. ◆
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