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| Issue 10 • July/August 2008 |
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| Successful EHR Implementation: It's More About How You Manage People |
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Moving from a paper-based office to electronic health records takes time, patience and commitment. While flexible EHR software and reliable technical support are critical components, successful EHR implementation is more about how you manage people than computers. Poor planning, poor communication, and poor training |
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| can lead to unwelcome results if you set unrealistic expectations and close the communication gap with your staff. W. Edwards Deming once said, “Individuals don’t accomplish anything, teams do.” |
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Step 1: Planning |
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Designate a project manager. If you are a small office, typically your office manager is the best choice. This person should have the skills, training and time to form, lead and facilitate groups. |
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Form a project team/committee with people who will embrace change, contribute enthusiastically, and have the respect of their peers. If you are a small office, your project team should include everyone. |
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Define and set realistic measurable goals and objectives. Prioritize them based on what will provide the most value to your practice. |
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Identify what resources you need, including budgets, people and timelines. It’s important to develop a clear definition of what you want the EHR system to accomplish. Make decisions based on the process that supports your goals and objectives. |
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Analyze every function of every job so you can understand how your staff accomplished those tasks with your old system. |
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Develop a comprehensive data map of office workflows and processes, including office modifications, hardware installations, software configuration, backup systems, and entering old patient data into the new EHR system. |
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Step 2: Communication |
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Energize your staff. Always maintain momentum and enthusiasm, or you might see some resistance from staff. |
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Listen to your staff and let them help you develop a solid plan. People will support what they create. |
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Ongoing communication is essential so communicate with your team at a weekly staff meeting. Use email to develop and refine the implementation plan, discuss issues, and update the progress. |
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| Vision Expo West CE Course |
Sponsored by First Insight
Visit Booth MS7075 |
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EHR Deployment: Survival and Rewards (23-901-V) |
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Presenter: Philip Gross, OD |
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Friday, October 3, 2008
1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Sands Expo and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada |
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| >> Register online at VEW |
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Course Description:
Dr. Gross, a practicing optometrist, will discuss the critical issues and steps involved when deploying an integrated electronic health record (EHR) system, while focusing on the realities, challenges, and rewards. In addition, he will review how to successfully prepare and execute the deployment of an EHR system by demonstrating real world examples. |
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| Presenter Bio: Dr. Gross first started in the computer consulting industry in 1982, catering to small businesses in network design, installation, database design, and software needs analysis. He has helped many sizes and types of practices make the move to computerization. He is a member of the AOA Health Information Technology & Telemedicine Study Group. |
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Resolve conflicts effectively by setting goals. Let your team be honest with their concerns, complaints and recommendations. People want to be heard. Agree to disagree—healthy disagreements can build better decisions. |
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Reinforce that you can’t do this alone. Offer incentives to your staff and address “what’s in it for them.” If you commit to a successful EHR rollout, your staff will move forward with a more positive approach. |
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| Contact the First Insight/First Connections Editor: marketing@first-insight.com |
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www.first-insight.com