Omaha System Solutions: Frontline staff as critical participants in selecting an automated system

In order to achieve success, it is essential to involve all levels of staff in exploring the use of technology to increase productivity and efficiency of health department business operations. In San Diego County, the current system for documenting Public Health Nursing (PHN) interventions is a homegrown, paper-based nursing record. The creation of electronic chart forms based on the current system was not successful, meeting with low PHN satisfaction when piloted. As a result, a workgroup was formed to plan for the implementation of an electronic clinical information system. This workgroup consisted of 14 staff members representing all levels of PHN staff, information technology staff, and other Public Health program staff. This session will focus upon the activities of frontline public health nurses in the planning process to select an automated information system. Their perspective in providing a “reality check” to ensure that the scope of work performed and outcomes obtained by PHN staff is adequately captured in software products is discussed. Their ability to identify “user-friendly” systems has been a key component in the analysis. Their roles in communicating progress to the PHN workforce, their ability to serve as ambassadors for change and roles as potential super-users of an automated system is described.