Using innovation diffusion theory to improve implementation of nursing information systems

The application of health information technology (IT) to improve healthcare efficiency and quality is an increasingly critical task for all healthcare organizations due to rapid improvements in IT and growing concerns with regard to patient safety. While a growing field of evidence supports that nurses frequently play key roles in steering the healthcare industry to achieve such goals, adoption and diffusion of technology remain complex processes. The application of IT still makes many nurses uneasy, while a main question remains whether nursing staff are willing to use state-of-the-art IT in their routine work. Addressing the application of IT in healthcare, this paper reviews the essential concepts of Rogers' innovation-diffusion theory regarding strategies for applying the characteristics of innovation and adoption processes. An example of applying the theory at one hospital is presented at the end to illustrate nursing information system implementation principles and propose suggestions for increasing general nurse application of IT in their regular work. Results may serve as references for future nursing informatics and theory development.