Module #3

The assignments in module 3 have been very helpful in forcing me to search and become more familiar with different databases (PubMed, CINHAL, etc.).  My chosen topic, Gestational Diabetes, is very interesting and I have decided to use it for my capstone project.  I am acquiring a very nice reference library on the subject through EndNote, which allows me to keep all my articles organized in alphabetical order by author's last name.  All the information is at my fingertips and allows me to read articles in my spare time.

The activities in module 3 are very relevant ot my graduate course work.  When I compared the type of information found on Google as opposed to the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC), I could see the difference in information that these 2 sites provided.  Google provided some good information in a very informal way, and also some not so reliable information; the NGC presented information about gestational diabetes in depth.  I found EVERYTHING in the NGC site from ICD9 codes to guideline objectives, intended users, clinical specialties that can use the information, etc.

I can see myself using the activities in module 3 for the rest of my professional life.  Once I finish school, the need to obtain evidence based information continues; I am planning in using CINHAL, PubMed, the NGC, and other sites that provide relevant, up to date information in order to deliver quality care to my clients.

Module 2

I worked as a School Nurse for the Weber School District (greatest job ever!), and had the opportunity to interact with the IT department at the district in selecting, evaluating and implementing an information system.  If any of you ask around, school nurses usually don't have a way to chart and keep record of the children or school staff that come into the nurse's office ill;, which is terrible because "If it's not charted, it wasn't done" right?.  I believe the Weber School District was the first in UT to have computer charting available for school nurses.  During our yearly school nurse conference, other nurses from all over UT asked to see our computer charting, that way they could decide if it would fit their needs and adopt it for their school district as well.
The most exciting part about being involved in this project, is not that I created the program (I am not computer educated enough to do that), but I was able to give my input and come together with my supervisor and the IT department and help select what medical conditions should be included in the charting, desing how the page would look like, etc.
Evaluating our school nursing information system was an ongoing project.  Year after year, we had meetings with IT and worked with them asking them to take off certain diagnosis and add others.  I believe that all school nurses in our district (13 of us at that time) had the opportunity to help with the implementation process.  I know that the "older nurses" or those who were hired a long time ago had the toughest time learning the system than the "new" or recently hired nurses.  Perhaps it was because the newer nurses didn't know any different and adjusted quickly.
What made this project successful was two essential things.  First, the willingness we nurses had to help each other was outstanding!  This was evidenced by the staff meetings scheduled twice a month where we could come together to discuss system problems or any other issues.  The second thing was how friendly the IT department was; they were very willing to work with us, and showed no frustration if we asked the same thing 10 times :)  I felt they always listened to our concerns, and fears about the system.
If I had the opportunity again to become involved with implementing a system at the workplace, I would do it in a heartbeat!