Nursing Care and Documentation Assistant with an Electronic Nursing Management System in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Background: All nursing cares require decision-making, and the ability to make the best decisions impact upon the quality of nursing care. Moreover, authenticity and accuracy of the best cares may be questioned if not recorded and reported properly and in a standard manner. We aimed to design and implement an electronic nursing management system and then evaluate satisfaction of nurses with the designed electronic system. Methods: This technical action research was conducted in four phases of a) designing an electronic nursing process decision support system, b) designing an electronic nursing care documentation system, c) integrating these two systems and developing an electronic nursing information management system, and d) implementing the system and system satisfaction evaluation using quantitative methods (satisfaction questionnaire). Results: The results of this project led to design and development of an electronic nursing information management system for neonatal intensive care units, which enables nurses to carry out standard care and documentation with high level of nursing satisfaction. Conclusion: In order for an electronic system to support nurses in their care process, it must be accepted by nurses. If nurses are satisfied with the performance and nature of this system, they are much less likely to develop workaround solutions and much more likely to spend their efforts focusing on the professional aspects of nursing care.