Information technology: implementing a nurse information system

This article explains the remit of a specially designated project nurse in preparing for the implementation of a nurse information system. The main components of a system--rostering/staff planning, workload/dependency levels and care planning--are defined and the project nurse's role in educating ward-based staff is described. The key to successful management of the necessary changes, the author argues, is adopting a 'bottom-up' approach to implementation in which nurses are encouraged to develop a sense of ownership of the selected system.