Systems Development Life Cycle

To save time and ensure simple access to patient records whenever a need arises. The doctors are purchasing the same electronic health record (EHR) solution at their hospital. Amatayakul (2012) asserts that EHR does not just concentrate on automating charts but also leverages data to assure value in the delivery of healthcare services. The above-mentioned tactic/move is useful when writing prescriptions from doctors for patients being admitted to hospitals. Additionally, by enabling access to other EHR systems, which offer vital information or data, the move aids doctors in times of crisis. On the other hand, the move by physicians is likely to result in incompatibility issues with the other important software in the system. Also, the majority of vendors find it challenging to understand the needs of both the physicians and hospital, as well as face problems in identifying the products that work well.

The physicians cannot send a medication order to the hospital from their e-prescribing device. Because most of the pharmacies do not use the appropriate and up to date technology. Consequently, there is a lot of inefficiencies in the communication or transmission of essential data from one point to another. The hospital and the physicians need to embrace modern technology and adjust their systems appropriately. For instance, there is the need to update the CPOE and train or educate all physicians on how to use the technology.

Scanning

Involves the use of software that captures data or information existing on online forms or paper. Scanning is helpful in speeding up the processing of forms. On the other hand, COLD feeding refers to digital imaging process, which can handle documents of different sizes into electronic forms or files. The imaging unit involved in COLD feeding uses laser disks to store large volumes of data. Finally, point-of-care (POC) data entry consists of a system, which can measure or estimate the duration required to complete entering a particular data. Also, POC can audit how individual interface elements are used.

The hospital can improve its data quality by identifying valuable metrics in the organization. Proper determination of the useful parameters is likely to help the hospitals know what they are supposed to measure (Amatayakul, 2012). Such move is expected to contribute significantly to an adequate organization of data that would otherwise be overwhelming. The other strategy towards improving the quality of data is establishing appropriate measurement process for daily data - information technology systems such as EHR or staff members can be used to collect data. Lastly, organizations should avail all data to practitioners including physicians, nurses, and pharmacist, among others. The strategy mentioned above promotes transparency, and every practitioner becomes aware of his/her performance. This way, individuals become responsible, and hospitals can take the right steps to improve where necessary.

After a careful review of the Real World case study and the physicians’ move. To purchase the same EHR product at their hospital, I have observed a close association between the system development life cycle and the case at hand. It is critical for project leaders or managers to have a knowledge and proper understanding of the life cycle, and even be in a position to follow the steps involved in the cycle before making final decisions. Some of the critical aspects to pay attention to include training, funds, and the process of transition to the new systems. Purchasing a compatible pharmacy system is a primary issue in the transition and constitute an important decision in the life cycle.

Reference

Amatayakul, M. (2012). Process Improvement with Electronic Health Records: A Stepwise Approach to Workflow and Process Management. Florida: CRC Press.