NURS FPX 8012 Assessment 3 SAFER Guides and Evaluating Technology Usage

NURS FPX 8012 Assessment 3 SAFER Guides and Evaluating Technology Usage

The evaluation of technology and its impact within the healthcare organization involves utilizing SAFER Guides to assess various areas, including patient identification, test results reporting and follow-up, and clinician communication (HealthIT.gov, 2018). Notably, the Epic system aids in patient identification by integrating duplicate records into a comprehensive file, employing a matching algorithm for key demographics to prevent duplication.

However, challenges exist in the area of test results reporting and follow-up, particularly with send-out tests not being electronically traced. Timely reporting is crucial for patient care, and improvements should be considered to prevent delays or information gaps. Similarly, urgent clinical information, such as critical lab results, is currently communicated to physicians via phone calls instead of through the Epic system, indicating an area for enhancement to ensure timely and accurate information delivery.

In addressing ethical and legal concerns related to health care technology, the use of electronic health records, including Epic, brings innovation but also increases clinicians’ legal responsibilities. It is essential for providers to chart in a timely manner, recognizing the potential legal implications of their actions.

In conclusion, mastering the use of SAFER Guides is crucial for healthcare workers to identify and mitigate risks in healthcare settings. Collaboration between clinicians and IT teams, along with a commitment to creating a safer and more efficient healthcare delivery system, is essential for improving patient outcomes.

References

Day, J. A. (2016, September 23). Why epic. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved September 6, 2022, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/epic/why_epic/

Safer guides. HealthIT.gov. (2018, November 28). Retrieved September 6, 2022, from https://www.healthit.gov/topic/safety/safer-guides