Date of Conferral

2015

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Health Services

Advisor

Matthew Burgess

Abstract

Abstract

The use for electronic health records (EHRs) by 2015 is being mandated through incentive payments for health care providers. Evidence-based literature has shown that almost half of the hospitals in the Unites States have not adopted EHRs, and many nurses have not been educated to effectively use them. In order to enhance and sustain EHR adoption by hospitals, nurses need to be educated on EHRs' usability. The purpose of this project was to develop an evidence-based EHR educational project for nurses on how to enter nursing assessments, document patients' medical data, and communicate effectively with patients and health care providers. The development of this educational project was guided by Ajzen's theory of planned behavior.

An advisory committee of 5 members determined the effectiveness and usefulness of the project. The advisory committee was comprised of the director of nursing, the director of information technology, a nurse manager, a nursing informatics specialist, and a staff nurse. Findings from the advisory committee indicated the project was in alignment with the objectives for meaningful use of EHR adoption by hospitals, conformed to the quality standards established by the agency for which this project was developed, and provided educational materials that were helpful in enhancing staff nurses understanding of EHR usability. In addition, feedback from the nurses who reviewed the educational project indicated that they were concerned about frequent upgrades and customization that were being made in Epic and the project was useful in enhancing staff nurses understanding of Epic usability. This project has the potential of increasing staff nurses' efficiency in using the Epic EHR system.

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