Just a beta....

Traditional implementation of clinical information systems follows a predictable project management process. The selection, development, implementation, and evaluation of the system and the project management aspects of those phases require considerable time and effort. The purpose of this paper is to describe the beta site implementation of a knowledge-based clinical information system in a specialty area of a southeastern hospital that followed a less than traditional approach to implementation. Highlighted are brief descriptions of the hospital's traditional process, the nontraditional process, and key findings from the experience. Preliminary analysis suggests that selection of an implementation process is contextual. Selection of elements from each of these methods may provide a more useful process. The non-traditional process approached the elements of communication, areas of responsibility, training, follow-up and leadership differently. These elements are common to both processes and provide a focal point for future research.

Feedback to nurse managers about staff nurses' perceptions of their jobs.

This article describes a survey feedback intervention in which staff nurses were surveyed about various job characteristics, job satisfaction, and intent to remain in the organization. Nurse managers received the feedback through graphs and a workshop. A year later the same survey was conducted, and the results were compared with preintervention data. Of the 13 units surveyed, six showed significant improvement in one area and one showed significant improvement in 11. Nurse managers considered the survey feedback helpful, but the feedback alone was not sufficient for achieving broad changes in 1 year. However, the feedback is a useful component of continuous quality improvement efforts.