Experiences with the electronic nursing discharge summary

The aim of this paper is to describe nursing staff's experiences with the Electronic Nursing Discharge Summary (ENDS) [Hoitotyön yhteenveto, HOIY]. This study is a part of the Salpa project of the Satakunta Hospital District (SHD). The goal of the project was to implement the Regional Information System (Fiale System) for social and health care in Satakunta, Finland. During the project (2004-2007), 3600 social and health care professionals were trained to use the Fiale System. The ENDS is used in the patient transfer phase. It complies with the national definition work of core information and can be opened through the Fiale System. The ENDS includes basic information on the care period in question for purposes of further care. 22 nurses, both those processing and those receiving the ENDS were interviewed by phone in 2006 about their experiences and satisfaction with the ENDS. The data was analyzed using content analysis. Experiences with this system are mainly positive. When done carefully, the ENDS enables real time communication, fast enough and safely, though the new structure needs consideration and documentation takes time. On the basis of this and other studies it can be concluded that acceptance of the nursing documentation process is more important than IT skills [1]. The ENDS has a guiding role as a tool for supporting nurses in their day-to-day documentation.