4298.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - Board 7

Abstract #10259

Organizational assessment of information systems, staff computer knowledge and implementation of cross-program data base

Denise M. Hammel, BSN, RN, School of Nursing, La Salle University, 1900 W. Olney Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19141, 856-234-0075, dmdhm@aol.com

The purpose of this paper is to describe the 1999-2000 graduate public health nursing clinical practicum at the La Salle Neighborhood Nursing Center (LNNC). The LNNC is a nurse managed non-profit organization located in the Northwest section of Philadelphia and serves medically underserved populations. This paper presents the results of organizational needs assessment of current data collection modalities and information systems available to LNNC staff. The organizational needs assessment revealed that many of the LNNC staff (N=30) which consist of public health nurses, nurse practitioners and outreach workers report unfamiliarity with standard means of data collection. Further assessment revealed that few have worked with and posses current knowledge of spreadsheets and databases. Presently, given external influences, the LNNC staff predominantly relies on paper and pencil tallies to produce reports. The target population for the practicum involved LNNC staff and indirectly the community served and its multiple funding sources. By surveying the level of exposure that the LNNC staff had with computers and their self-reported learning needs an information systems workshop was designed and implemented. In addition, the graduate student implemented a pilot cross-program database to facilitate comprehensive data collection across LNNC programs. Staff feedback regarding the use of the workshop in everyday practice as well as improved data collection abilities is reported. Furthermore, lessons learned by the graduate student about the need for information systems and technological support in this organization are highlighted.

Learning Objectives: Following this session, the participant will be able to: 1. List 3 organizational challenges to implementing computerized data collection modalities. 2. Identify 1 or more educational strategies to meet the learning needs of diverse professional and paraprofessional staff. 3. Analyze information systems barriers within the participants own work environment

Keywords: Data Collection, Nursing Center

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: La Salle Nursing Centers
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA