Software vendors share printed materials, sponsor and support software demonstrations at conferences, and usually have extensive Web sites. Determine the project's scope Before going too far in the selection process, get clear direction from the steering committee. Have members define the vision for information management, computerization, and data flow between and among care delivery sites. Rather than merely re-create the paper chart, the new CIS will use integrated databases. Nursing notes become a multidisciplinary record of patient assessment, treatment, and response.
Nurses still play a vital role in data input and documenting compliance with the plan of care.
But an expanded focus has evolved to support decisions and the continuum of care across locations. A truly integrated CIS should streamline and condense documentation, support and coordinate the care plan, and provide information to all members of the team at all points of care. You'll need to define the functional requirements for this system. Start with a description of how systems work today. Compare this to the way they should work to meet the demands of future health care delivery.