The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #40052

Donna L. Daulton, RN, BSN, Constance D. Grimes, RN, BSN, Linda K. Sayler, RN, BSN, and Connie L. Schneider, RNBC, BSN. Bureau of Population Health, Community-Based Care, Marion County Health Department, South District Health Office, 505 E. National Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46227

Minimizing documentation time and increasing the availability and accuracy of client outcome data have become imperative for the future of public health nursing departments. Planning, orientation, and implementation activities have been undertaken to install an automated documentation information system within the Marion County Health Department (MCHD). A standardized nursing language system that best met department needs was selected. Automated information systems were evaluated, and after the selection of software, system experts presented the program to MCHD staff. A multi-disciplinary "core team" consisting of administration, managers, and staff nurses was formed to learn the software, practice inputting client data, customize the software to public health needs, and serve as leaders and mentors to the rest of the staff. Automating the public health client record has created many challenges for MCHD. The "core team" has worked diligently and the goal of an automated client record is becoming reality. The standardized nursing language system, once fully implemented will provide MCHD with client outcome data which will be used to document achievement of select Healthy People 2010 objectives. This presentation will review the experiences of MCHD in implementing an automated documentation information system.

Learning Objectives:

• Review the advantages of automating a public health nursing clinical record system.
• Recognize the significance of choosing a standardized clinical classification system for documentation.
• Discuss the need for evaluating available documentation information software programs.
• Identify the appropriate activities for successful implementation of an automated documentation information system.
• Articulate the benefits of interdepartmental and multi-disciplinary staff collaboration to ensure smooth transition to an automated documentation information system.

Keywords: Information Technology, Outcome Measures

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Omaha System CareFacts Information Systems, Inc.
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.