Replacing the EHR that has stopped to work for a provider can be a difficult and expensive decision. Is it worth going though all the hassle of implementing the new system to change the few aspects of your clinical workflow? No, if you are going to make the same mistake that forced you to make the switch in the first place. But how can providers identify what has gone wrong and how to fix it? Follow these simple tasks for a good work.
Create a wish list
With the rush to receive millions of dollars in incentive payments and to meet the stages of Meaningful Use, most of the providers selected whatever EHR they came across and figured out that they had to make them work. While the enthusiasm was admirable results weren’t as expected. Providers have been suffering for couple of years now and a large number of them had decided to quit their first choice.
But before you go into a new contract, you need to ask yourself some difficult questions. What is it that you like about your current EHR? What changes you would like to see in it? Purchasing an EHR is in the same way as buying a car or a house. Having a detail list can help you focus on a limited set of vendors that are best for your practice size and specialty, while eliminating the rest.
Analyze the situation from every angle
The common mistake first time EHR adopter makes is failing to consider the big picture when selecting the product. For the executive board price of the system will be of concern, while for physicians the focus will be on the clinical interface and mobility will be of concern to nurses.
It is not possible to please everyone every time but you should understand the issues that are bothering your staff if you are about to make a decision. Encourage your staff to make their complaints known and give them an opportunity to express their concerns to the EHR replacement team. Make sure you tell your staff that the new software may not be able to resolve the issues that they are facing but their concerns are heard and will be understood.
Keep realistic expectations
Your staff might be failing a little exhausted when failing to adapt the new EHR system, but it can be a blessing in disguise. It means the staff wouldn’t have any unrealistic expectations regarding what the new software can do for them. The 2014 certification criteria demands more out of the developers and software systems will be more advance than they were in 2009.
As compared to before providers may have less money to spend on an EHR Replacement. Help your staff understands that what you can afford in a new system and what you can’t, what tasks the staff will not be able to perform and what changes are needed in the workflow to make the most of the software you are using.
Gathering your troops for another implementation
You need to be optimistic because you are buying a new system to fix the obvious errors that has made your life hard under your old EHR. It will require time dedication and will power to make the necessary changes that are required.
If your staff felt blindsided by the first EHR adoption then it is important that your staff is made aware of the implementation in advance so that the staff members can get used to the idea of switch. Be flexible regarding the educational and training activities for the clinicians.
Keep productivity high
Careful planning is very important to avoid any significant drop in the productivity level after the new EHR goes live. Make sure that your staff is comfortable with the workflow, technical requirements and interface of the system. Leading your staff for a new workflow, making sure that your software meets the majority of demands and keeping the spirits high will help you convert an initial failure into a success.
Labels: EHR Replacement, health IT, healthcare
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