Review the Resources and reflect on your thinking regarding the role of the nurse in the design and implementation of new healthcare programs. Select a healthcare program within your practice and consider the design and implementation of this program. Reflect on advocacy efforts and the role of the nurse in relation to healthcare program design and implementation. The Assignment: (2–3 pages) In a 2- to 3-page paper create an interview transcript of your responses to the following interview questions: Tell us about a healthcare program, within your practice. What are the costs and projected outcomes of this program? Who is your target population? What is the role of the nurse in providing input for the design of this healthcare program? Can you provide examples? What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program? Do you have input into design decisions? How else do you impact design? What is the role of the nurse in healthcare program implementatio

Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation

Healthcare Program Overview

In the nursing practice, one vital healthcare program that highlights the role of nurses in EBP is the implementation of electronic health records (EHR). The costs associated with this program are multifaceted, including technological costs, nurse education, and ongoing maintenance expenses. The initial investment involves acquiring EHR systems, training nurses in their use, and ensuring that the system complies with security and privacy regulations (Kabukye et al., 2020).

Ongoing maintenance costs encompass system updates, hardware and software maintenance, and staff training to keep nurses proficient in using EHR systems. The projected outcomes of this program are improved patient care, streamlined documentation processes, enhanced accuracy in clinical data recording, and ultimately better patient outcomes.

Target Population

The target population for the EHR implementation program is diverse, including patients from all walks of life. EHRs serve as comprehensive patient databases, benefiting a wide range of individuals, from pediatric patients to the elderly (Kabukye et al., 2020). It also addresses patients across various healthcare settings, such as primary care clinics, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. The use of EHR reduces the workload on nurses and ensures efficiency of processes. 

The Nurse’s Role in Program Design

Nurses play a pivotal role in shaping the design of the EHR program. They provide valuable input by identifying the specific needs of clinical practice, ensuring that the EHR system aligns with patient-centered care, and advocating for user-friendly interfaces (Drexler, 2020). For example, nurses can recommend customizable templates for various specialties to tailor the EHR system to specific patient populations, such as neonates or geriatric patients. Additionally, nurses can advocate for standardized documentation practices to enhance data accuracy and ensure efficient data retrieval.

Advocacy for the Target Population

As advocates for the target population, nurses hold a significant role in ensuring that EHR design decisions prioritize patient safety, quality care, and efficient healthcare processes. They can advocate for legislative changes, lobby for funding to support the adoption of EHR technology, and promote bills aimed at ensuring a proper transition to EBP technologies while making them affordable (Milstead & Short, 2019). By working with legislators, nurses can help establish policies that improve patient data security, guarantee data privacy, and reduce healthcare disparities.

The Nurse’s Role in Program Implementation

The nurse’s role in program implementation involves seamlessly integrating EHR systems into daily clinical practice. Nurses use EHRs to record patient data, facilitate care coordination, and communicate with the healthcare team. They also ensure the program’s success by providing education to their peers on proper EHR utilization (Drexler, 2020).

In the design phase, nurses identify practical applications, such as developing standardized nursing assessment templates to enhance data consistency and promote evidence-based care. During implementation, nurses ensure the proper use of EHRs for patient documentation, clinical decision support, and data retrieval to facilitate patient care and inform clinical decisions.

Members of the Healthcare Team

The essential members of the healthcare team for effective EHR program implementation include nurses, nurse managers, and system users. Nurses are at the forefront of patient care, directly utilizing EHR systems and influencing their design (Drexler, 2020). Nurse managers provide leadership and guide nurses through program implementation, ensuring that the EHRs align with the organization’s goals. System users, such as physicians, pharmacists, and administrative staff, are crucial for seamless care coordination, communication, and the accurate exchange of patient information.

In the nursing practice, healthcare programs like the EHR implementation exemplify the pivotal role of nurses in evidence-based practice. Nurses contribute to program design, advocate fo