Since its initiation in July 2004, the implementation of a new computerized documentation system at Capital District Health Authority (CDHA) has had both growing pains and shared successes. We have had invaluable experiences from the introduction of the purchased product, through to the development of screens and final Go live at five per-ioperative resource units. We would like to propose strategies to help other areas accept and cope with the unmistakable change that computerized documentation brings.
Organizational readiness is a fundamental factor to consider in any major initiative. A primary focus of implementing a system of this magnitude is also to develop a project management approach and ensure the assessment of appropriate resources. Having both clinical and IT leaders is an essential component for a successful implementation. Keeping patient care in the forefront is a considerable challenge when development teams involve clinical and non-clinical perspectives. We would like to share our successes, challenges, and lessons learned with this major change in practice. This will incorporate issues we have encountered and solutions we have created, around such topics as infection control, ergonomics, physical space, equipment, infrastructure, communication, reports and staff morale.
Biography
Sandy Crosby RN BN Clinical Educator- SDSU VG/HI, Minor Procedures and TPU
Sandy specializes in Same Day Surgery. She has over 23 years combined experience in surgical nursing: (Burns and Plastic Surgery), Clinical Nurse Educator (Orthopedics and Plastic Surgery) and Perioperative Nursing (Same Day Surgery). Sandy has served as co-chair of the CDHA IMCU Committee and lecturer for this program. As the former HSM Education Coordinator, Sandy collaborated with the Perioperative Educators to develop and implement a detailed education plan for HSM Computer Documentation in the Perioperative settings at CDHA.
Cindy Fulmore RN BN CPN(c) Clinical Educator 10A 11A VGH operating rooms
Cindy graduated from the Dalhousie University School of Nursing. Since then roles have included staff nurse on a surgical unit, operating room staff, charge nurse, instructor for the NS Provincial Perioperative Program and currently Clinical Educator for the Operating Rooms at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax. Accomplishments include presenting with colleagues at the ORNAC conference in 2005 and publishing an article in the ORNAC Journal which has been reproduced in the Australian College of Operating Room Nurses (ACORN) Journal. For the past two years Cindy has been an integral part of the development of the electronic chart, management of the education role out in the Intraoperative area, development of policies related to electronic charting and testing of the system.
Deborah Garnier RN MN CPN (c) Health Services Manager 10A 11A VGH operating rooms
Deborah graduated from Salvation Army Grace General Hospital School of Nursing 1982, St Francis Xavier University 1999(BScN) and Athabasca University 2006 (MN). She has a Post Graduate certificate in Perioperative Nursing and Canadian Certification in Perioperative Nursing .In 2004 she was the recipient of an Excellence in Nursing Practice award from the College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia. Deborah has worked in the Perioperative Nursing field since 1988 and has had the opportunity to work as a Staff Nurse, Nurse Educator, Supervisor and Health Services Manager. Deborah has been involved with the HSM project at Capital Health since the beginning of the project, initially as part of the documentation team and later as a member of the Core and Action groups.
Marion Power RN Health Services Manager HI & VG Post Anesthetic Care Units, Pain Management Unit & Block Room
Marion Power RN, a native of Nova Scotia, graduated from the Victoria General Hospital School of Nursing, Halifax, NS in 1972 with her Diploma in Nursing. Her nursing background has included roles as staff nurse, educator, unit resource nurse, and acting nurse manager at the Victoria General Hospital and Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS. The majority of her career (24 years) has been spent in perianesthesia nursing. Presently, she is the Health Services Manager of the Halifax Infirmary and Victoria General Post Anesthetic Care Units, Pain Management Unit, and Block Room at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS. She is in the process of completing her Baccalaureate in Nursing. Professional activities include being an active member of the College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia, President of the Association of Nova Scotia PeriAnesthesia Nurses, Secretary for the National Association of PeriAnesthesia Nurses, and a standing member of the National PeriAnesthesia Nurses Standards Committee. She has been involved with the Horizon Surgical Manager perioperative project since it began in July 2004.
Life is not all work! Marion is married with a grown son and daughter and lives in Halifax, NS. She enjoys traveling, golfing, reading, a glass of wine, the beach, and time spent with family and friends.
Lois West
Graduated Queens University - Bachelor of Nursing Science 1978. Began career at Victoria General Hospital (VGH), Halifax in 1978 as a staff nurse orthopedics.
Completed the VGH Critical Care Program in 1981, and moved to Medical Intensive Care Unit as a staff nurse from 1981-1983.
1983-1985 - staff nurse at the Toronto General Hospital, MICU. 1985-1991 Saskatoon, SK. Took a few years off when 2 children very young, then worked casual as a medicine float nurses at Royal University Hospital. 1991 1999 - Capital Health, Halifax, NS Variety of roles at Capital Health in medical and surgical subspecialties in ambulatory and acute settings as a staff nurse, clinical nurse educator and interim health services manager. March 1999- present Capital Health, Halifax, NS Health Services Manager for the Ophthalmology program at Capital Health which includes the clinical areas of the day surgery, operating rooms and Eye Care Centre clinic.
