A review by CLAIRE BÜCHNER, Nurse Lecturer at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University, Belfast.
Nursing informatics implementation guide
Edited by Eleanor Callahan Hunt, Sara Breckienridge-Sproat and Rebecca Rutherford Kitzmiller.
Health Informatics Series (2004). Springer, London: £37.99
ISBN 0-387-40837-1
This book is described as “an indispensable tool and a practical guide for nurses and health care professionals, detailing the implementation processes of both small and large clinical computer systems used in various health care settings”.
Indeed it is a useful guide for informatics nurses at all levels, whether they are starting to implement a new system in their workplace or for those specialist informaticians who have a project management role.
The book explains system implementation from multiple specialties, such as nursing informatics, information technology and project management, and combines theory and research with practical examples and case studies.
Transatlantic
Although the editors are not UK-based there is no difficulty with aligning the implementation “lessons” to nursing here. The chapter on data security does, however, include legal considerations that would not be appropriate for the UK.
Designed for use by nurses and health care professionals, chapter highlights include:
- System selection
- Role of the informatics nurse in computer system implementation
- Project scope
- Implementation timeline
- Risk and barrier identification
- Project management
- Customisation of product
- Planning for product rollout
- Evaluation of product and implementation process
- Data protection and legal considerations.
The opening chapters detail informatics in general and would be useful to a reader starting out in a career or with an interest in informatics. The later chapters are detailed and more suitable for an informatics specialist.
Given the cost of the book I would recommend it as a useful resource for informatics nurses or as a library copy for general interest.