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More Information...

Implementation
Review the section on common implementation problems to help you anticipate problems early and work to avert them during your implementation.

Outlook Associates produces a useful guide (Evaluating and Selecting an EMR System) available for purchase directly from Outlook.  Please see the store section at www.outlook-associates.com.

Moving from paper to an electronic system requires a decision about data conversion. Refer to Document Management, Scanning and Backloading Tips, and tips from a Utah clinic.

Common Implementation Problems

Leadership is a key component of successful ERH implementation.  Identify champions for adoption among physicians and office staff.  Support these individuals as they engage others in the implementation process.

Decreased productivity is to be expected during the implementation phase.  Impact may be seen in financial, clinical, or organizational processes.

Staffing needs may change as implementation progresses.  Workflow redesign, system integration, and network support are areas often neglected by the practice.

Click here for a list of Common Implementation Problems and potential solutions.

Workflow Analysis
Our free Workflow Software can help you evaluate your current workflow.  Click here to download the software and for the installation instructions.  Use the workflow guide and hints to frame your workflow assessment.

You may choose to repeat the workflow analysis after your EHR is implemented to see if your goals have been met.

Office Redesign
Implementation of an EHR will result in office redesign if implementation is to be successful.  Workflow analysis will support identification of areas to be redesigned.

Some offices may not be ready to adopt an EHR, but still interested in redesigning the office to improve efficiency, value to the patient and staff, safety, communication, and/or satisfaction.

Steps:

1. Decide where to start – can you (as a team) think of something that is not smooth and effortless in your practice?
2. Working together, find out more about the identified area.  Explore causes for poor performance in the identified area.  Identify barriers, bottlenecks, and breakdowns.  Gather data as a baseline measurement of the current process.
3. Consider possible changes that will make it easier to achieve the desired outcome.  Identify how your team will measure the change to know if the change is an improvement.  Remember that not all changes are an improvement and fixing one problem may unintentionally create several more problems.
4. Conduct a small test of the change idea (i.e., with one patient, one provider) and decide if the change is better.
5. Modify the change idea if necessary and retest on a small scale.  After refining the change idea, move forward with spreading the change within your practice.