Working THROUGH the workaround: FIX why your nurses can't adopt Health Information Technology and STOP why they won't

Purpose:
To provide clear guidance for the nurse leader to proactively and practically address and resolve workaround issues that can negatively impact HIT adoption.

Significance:
Process and technology workarounds exact a cost to the healthcare system and the nurse leader in terms of risking patient safety, stressing management and staff team relations, and delaying or stopping adoption of high-cost technology and system-wide program implementations.

Strategy and Implementation:
Building upon the premise that the nurse faced with new technology and process requirements is committed to doing the right things well for safe patient care, five factors for successfully defusing the acute and chronic workaround will be presented: 1.The application of error and change theory principles in practically approaching and resolving the workaround issue 2.Establishing the need for a system (v. person) approach at the healthcare “sharp end of the stick” 3.Authentic communication techniques, including correct phrasing of probing questions to engage the nursing team and manage group process as well as the individual informal and influencing leaders 4.Human factor planning in managing human variability from a system perspective 5.Workaround prevention in a culture that is both safe and just

Evaluation:
This evidence-based innovation is proposed and will be shared via national webinar with nurse leaders. Success will be measured via post-education survey.

Implications for Practice:
Nurse leader active involvement throughout the five phases of HIT acquisition, implementation and adoption includes: evaluating current system, assessing needs with all stakeholders, giving vendors feedback, FMEA prior to purchase, successfully implementing, and satisfied users with full adoption.