Integrating an Innovative, Cost-Effective Electronic Documentation System for Undergraduate Nursing Students

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Health Informatics
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Electronic medical record (EMR) systems are increasingly vital in healthcare.
• Accurate patient data entry is crucial for safe patient care and team communication.
• Nursing students need early exposure to EMR systems to align with practice environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a cost-effective EMR system for undergraduate nursing students.
• To provide hands-on experience in documenting patient findings using EMR technology.
• To integrate patient-centered care, informatics, and safety principles into nursing education.

Main Methods:

• Collaboration between nursing faculty and university information technology.
• Development of an innovative EMR system tailored for physical assessment courses.
• Focus on Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies.

Main Results:

• Successful creation of a functional EMR system for student use.
• Positive feedback received from both students and faculty regarding the system.
• Demonstrated feasibility of integrating EMR training early in the nursing curriculum.

Conclusions:

• Providing early electronic documentation experience is essential for preparing nursing students.
• The developed EMR system offers a practical solution for nursing education.
• This initiative supports the evolving needs of the healthcare practice environment.