Assignment 3: Implementation Process Of Electronic Health Record
Implementation Process of Electronic Health Record
Sharon Garcia
HCS/533
July 13, 2015
Jane Ferraris
Implementation Process of Electronic Health Record
For any new electronic program system to work it must be appropriate for the needs of those using the system. Patient safety should be the main concern when implementing new systems in a health care setting. Prior to implementing the electronic health record system at Garrison Children’s Hospital the implementation team should have done some extra research on how the system would affect patient care and the staff’s ability to use the system. Researching the program and its benefits to the hospital could prevent a system from failing.
Implementation Process
According to the PowerPoint presentation developed by the Maryland Health Care Commission (2012), “The main goal of using technology in the health care arena is to improve the quality of patient care” this is extremely important (slide 2). In order to successfully implement a software system in a new setting, one must first understand the current state of the organization in terms of its staff, the people they serve, its process, and the supporting tools. There should be an assessment phase completed prior to implementing any EHR system. This should include determining if the organization is ready for …show more content…
the change before fully implementing the system (Healthit.gov, 2014). Prior to implementing the system, there is a need to analyze the organizational needs to identify problems and potential areas for improvement. As stated by Maryland Health Care Commission (2012) prior to implementing a new system the leadership and implementing team should, “Analyze existing work processes while looking for opportunities for improved productivity and efficiency using the tools provided by the EHR” (slide 12). The following are some questions that should be considered before implementing a system. What is the current software being used in the organization?
Who are the people there that will be using the new system?
What is the staff’s level of competency, skills, and motivation?
How much training will be needed?
Who will handle the training of the staff?
What tools or equipment will be needed?
How will the new system benefit the patients, staff, and organization?
What are the organization’s overall goals?
Elements for Failure
The leadership team of Garrison Children’s Hospital failed to assess the organizational needs which caused the implementation of the new electronic system to fail. The leadership team did not take into consideration the difference in the pediatric setting and its adult setting. There was little time or consideration taken involving what the staff’s experience was working with computer systems prior to implementing the new system. Training for the users of the system was not conducted as needed for staff to obtain competency working with the system. There were not enough trainers to complete the needed training. The leadership team should have conducted a survey to obtain information to identify the training needs of the staff. There was no consideration made involving the different data that was being collected about the patients. By not taking all aspects of need into consideration prior to the implementation of the new computer system, patient care was placed in jeopardy.
Conclusion
Making changes within a healthcare setting is something that is going to occur in order to keep up with the new technique advances that are being developed to improve patient care.
However, in order for the changes to be successful, there are things that must occur. Prior to the changes taking place, the implementation team must consider the benefits to the patients, staff and organization. When these things are not considered, there will be a tendency for failure will occur. It is the responsibility of the leadership and implementation team to the best of their ability to ensure that the system will meet the needs of all involved with the
system.
References:
Healthit.gov(2014).How to Implement EHRs. Retrieved from: http://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/ehr-implementation-steps/step-1-assess-your-practice-readiness
The Maryland Healthcare Commission (2012, February). Guidelines to Implementing an Electronic Health Record [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from: http://mhcc.dhmh.maryland.gov/hit/mso/Documents/ehr_vendors/guidelines_ehr.pdf
Sharon Garcia
HCS/533
July 13, 2015
Jane Ferraris
Implementation Process of Electronic Health Record
For any new electronic program system to work it must be appropriate for the needs of those using the system. Patient safety should be the main concern when implementing new systems in a health care setting. Prior to implementing the electronic health record system at Garrison Children’s Hospital the implementation team should have done some extra research on how the system would affect patient care and the staff’s ability to use the system. Researching the program and its benefits to the hospital could prevent a system from failing.
Implementation Process
According to the PowerPoint presentation developed by the Maryland Health Care Commission (2012), “The main goal of using technology in the health care arena is to improve the quality of patient care” this is extremely important (slide 2). In order to successfully implement a software system in a new setting, one must first understand the current state of the organization in terms of its staff, the people they serve, its process, and the supporting tools. There should be an assessment phase completed prior to implementing any EHR system. This should include determining if the organization is ready for …show more content…
the change before fully implementing the system (Healthit.gov, 2014). Prior to implementing the system, there is a need to analyze the organizational needs to identify problems and potential areas for improvement. As stated by Maryland Health Care Commission (2012) prior to implementing a new system the leadership and implementing team should, “Analyze existing work processes while looking for opportunities for improved productivity and efficiency using the tools provided by the EHR” (slide 12). The following are some questions that should be considered before implementing a system. What is the current software being used in the organization?
Who are the people there that will be using the new system?
What is the staff’s level of competency, skills, and motivation?
How much training will be needed?
Who will handle the training of the staff?
What tools or equipment will be needed?
How will the new system benefit the patients, staff, and organization?
What are the organization’s overall goals?
Elements for Failure
The leadership team of Garrison Children’s Hospital failed to assess the organizational needs which caused the implementation of the new electronic system to fail. The leadership team did not take into consideration the difference in the pediatric setting and its adult setting. There was little time or consideration taken involving what the staff’s experience was working with computer systems prior to implementing the new system. Training for the users of the system was not conducted as needed for staff to obtain competency working with the system. There were not enough trainers to complete the needed training. The leadership team should have conducted a survey to obtain information to identify the training needs of the staff. There was no consideration made involving the different data that was being collected about the patients. By not taking all aspects of need into consideration prior to the implementation of the new computer system, patient care was placed in jeopardy.
Conclusion
Making changes within a healthcare setting is something that is going to occur in order to keep up with the new technique advances that are being developed to improve patient care.
However, in order for the changes to be successful, there are things that must occur. Prior to the changes taking place, the implementation team must consider the benefits to the patients, staff and organization. When these things are not considered, there will be a tendency for failure will occur. It is the responsibility of the leadership and implementation team to the best of their ability to ensure that the system will meet the needs of all involved with the
system.
References:
Healthit.gov(2014).How to Implement EHRs. Retrieved from: http://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/ehr-implementation-steps/step-1-assess-your-practice-readiness
The Maryland Healthcare Commission (2012, February). Guidelines to Implementing an Electronic Health Record [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from: http://mhcc.dhmh.maryland.gov/hit/mso/Documents/ehr_vendors/guidelines_ehr.pdf