Information Systems and Changing Organizational Culture, Essay Example

Information technology is a critical necessity in the healthcare environment and requires buy-in from clinicians and patients alike. These factors play an essential role in determining how to integrate medication administration software into the medical-surgical nursing unit. To date, this practice has been traditionally managed through paper scripts; however, there is a high risk of errors in transposition and interpretation of the writing. Therefore, it is important to determine how this type of system might not only improve information flow, but also patient safety and the ability of clinicians to be able to participate in minimizing errors to the workflow. Employees must be convinced that this is an appropriate means of understanding the value of this system so that they are able to embrace it and support its objectives in order to advance healthcare practice and outcomes (Munoz & Cossio, 2010).

Managing this type of change initiative requires buy-in from employees and a strong and focused leadership trajectory in order to accomplish the desired objectives in improving quality of care for patients (Munoz & Cossio, 2010). At the same time, a change of this magnitude requires a level of skill and patience that will protect patients and provide them with the tools and resources that are required to improve their health status (Liaw & Gray, 2010). Therefore, clinical education must be proactive and detailed so that employees are prepared to adopt these systems effectively and without hesitation (Liaw & Gray, 2010). In order to accomplish this far-reaching objective, it is important to identify and appoint leaders who are prepared to manage the tasks required to successfully implement the system and to be prepared to address the risks associated with this practice as they emerge (Liaw & Gray, 2010). Therefore, a leader must be knowledgeable, insightful, tech savvy, and willing to accept change as part of the process of effective healthcare practice.