Paper Example on Adoption of New Systems of Technology in Healthcare Facility

Introduction

As new research and discoveries continue to be made, changes in healthcare continue to occur that lead to improved patient care and health of the society. However, these changes affect nurses since they bring fear and frustration to them that make them resist change. In healthcare, leaders have a big part to play in the implementation and adoption of new technology system. Using Rogers Theory as the foundation, the paper will exemplify how a nurse facilitator helps nurses in adopting new technology system. Also, nurses' roles as change agents will be explored in aiding new technology adoption.

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Roger's Theory

A nurse facilitator has a role of responding to resistance expressed by nurses concerning the new technology systems. Kennedy asserts (2014) that all staffs need to be involved and be communicated fully in an honest and transparent manner so as to foster change, support and development of ownership. Resistance can only be eliminated if nurses are involved in the meeting that addresses their concerns. This will enable them to understand fully on the electronic health records (EHR) even before training of the new systems began. Utilizing Roger's theory that contains communication, planning and support is essential for the meeting in any strategy of change management (Mastrian, 2014). There are five qualities that Rogers state that influences people's attitude towards making a change to a new system of technology. They include; "Relative advantage, simplicity, Trialability, observable results and compatibility with existing values and practices" (Rogers, 2003).

The nurse facilitator should notify the nurses before the meeting began and in the meeting, the nurse facilitator should address; vision, conferences and seminars, how systems work, and even the stimulation of new systems. Nurses need to be enlightened about the benefits of EHR as compared to old systems so as for them to fully support the change (Maillet, Mathieu & Sicotte, 2015). For instance, they need to be told that EHR saves time during documentation process. In the meeting, they should be given a chance of asking questions so as their doubts are washed away. This is because how the facilitator holds the meeting determines the attitudes of nurses in adopting the new system of Electronic Health Records.

Additionally, proofs of EHR can be provided especially holding conferences with organizations already using the system successfully so as to validate those benefits. Nurses need to see how EHR can support their nursing practice and to do this, they need to be provided with examples of how new systems can improve their workflow (Kennedy, 2014). Although introducing new concepts to nurses may seem hard and stressful, emphasis should be done to ensure there are no any misconceptions regarding the system. They should employ simulators that will enable them to understand overall workflows and objectives as well as relevant work process especially prior to training (Kennedy, 2014). This will enable them to have answers to common questions they may be having concerning the system. Even though there will be still resistance to some staffs, the nurse facilitator should ensure there is continuous support and positive reinforcement so as to ensure positive attitude towards the new systems are implemented.

Roles of Nurses

Nurses are essential members of the healthcare team who have a large impact on the success of the healthcare facility. They ensure there is proper implementation of the new systems of technology in a facility. They are the one with knowledge of the practice and though that, they can relate to how the system can improve or may affect their working practice. Generally, nurses assist in the development of a culture in the environment of work that is critical during the implementation of change. Mastrian (2014) stated that leaders have a role to play in intimately involving all people both in words and deeds since a successful change requires a supportive culture. Nurses are the vocal on changes that work well on the patients and those that do not work hence playing a critical role in shaping the healthcare system. By use of EHR, they can help in decreasing hospital readmissions especially to elderly and high-risk patients that may undergo relapse. This is because technology can enable nurses to reach out to their patients even after discharge through attending to their medical appointments especially when collaboration is done with other practitioners including physicians, caregivers, and family (Grossman & Valiga, 2016). Therefore, roles of nurses are huge and paramount in the healthcare facility for the accomplishment of EHR implementation.

Conclusion

Even though adoption of the new technology is a challenge to most healthcare facilities, its implementation has shown positive changes in all corners of healthcare. The system can fail if the staffs therein resist the change and when there is poor leadership that can govern its implementation. When nurse facilitators are preparing for any upcoming change in healthcare, Roger's Theory has proven to be of help since it looks at the needs and concerns of nurses and tries to address them. Whenever there is an implementation of new technology systems, nurses should be involved fully, since they are among the team of health workers that provide a higher level of clinical support to patients.

References

Grossman, S., & Valiga, T. M. (2016). The new leadership challenge: Creating the future of nursing. FA Davis.

Kennedy, K. (2014). Being a Change Agent in a Dynamic Health Care Environment. Health insight 12(234).

Mastrian, K. G. (Ed.). (2014). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Maillet, E., Mathieu, L., & Sicotte, C. (2015). Modeling factors explaining the acceptance, actual use and satisfaction of nurses using an Electronic Patient Record in acute care settings: An extension of the UTAUT. International journal of medical informatics, 84(1), 36-47.

Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). New York, NY: Free Press.