EHR Implementation: 10 Key Steps to Success

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• EHR Implementation 10 Key Steps to Success
• EHR implementation is a complex, multi-step
  process. You will need a plan. A robust one!
• Youll need a plan that increases EHR adoption
  among providers, helps you adhere to deadlines,
  tests internal processes, securely migrates
  patient data, takes into account employee
  training needs the list goes on.
• Even if you think your practice is not ready to
  achieve success in all these areas right now,
  with the right approach and proper planning, you
  will start utilizing the new EHR to its full
  potential.
• EHR Implementation Key Steps to Success
• EHR implementation will impact every employee at
  your practice. Having a concrete plan will save
  hours of stress for everyone involved. Here are
  key steps for a successful EHR implementation.
• Assess your readiness This is the first step in
  EHR implementation. Assess your current situation
  and understand the reasons for this move. Why do
  you want to move from paper charting to
  paperless charting? What are your expectations
  from the new EHR system? Is your staff ready for
  the change? Do you have the technical and
  financial bandwidth for the change? Will the move
  align with your practices strategic goals? Is
  your staff computer literate, or will you have to
  provide basic computer literacy? These are some
  of the critical questions you must consider
  before moving to the next step.
• Prepare an EHR implementation plan
• outline With the self-assessment stage
  completed, it is now time to create a framework
  of the EHR implementation project. Creating a
  detailed checklist that will set the stage for a
  successful EHR implementation. In the checklist,
  outline all the tasks that need to be executed by
  physicians, IT staff, practice managers, and even
  your patients. Some of the essential functions
  include recruiting implementation committee,
  identifying budget and outlining costs,
  scheduling the implementation,

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• migrating data, arranging training programs, EHR
  software testing, defining go-live activities,
• and identifying KPIs to measure success.
• Secure stakeholders buy-in Getting the key
  stakeholders invested in EHR implementation will
  make a huge difference. Physicians might have
  concerns and anxieties about the changes in daily
  activities with the introduction of EHR software.
  Communicating the value he EHR will bring to your
  practice, highlighting key benefits in terms of
  productivity and patient experience, will help
  you to win over sceptics.
• Look for EHRs that meet your
• requirements To select the right EHR for your
  practice, you can simply research on the
  Internet, or you can ask your industry friends or
  colleagues to recommend their favorite EHRs. Make
  a list of all the suitable options and take notes
  of their features, services, cost, etc. You can
  also write down questions or customization
  requests that you want to discuss with potential
  EHR vendors during the live demo.
• Schedule demosAfter shortlisting, set up demos
  for each system, either in-person or online. Some
  of the
• common types of EHR demo include interactive
  trial demo, non-interactive video,
  vendor-directed live demo, and onsite demo. Take
  advantage of these
• demos to set up real-life scenarios, ask specific
  questions, or to understand how the EHR will
• address challenges or if the vendor can provide
  customized features. You must also ask the
  stakeholders to attend these demos so their
  opinions
• can help you make the right decision.
• Fix a date for EHR implementation Though
  installing the EHR software might look like the
  final step, but it is not a single task. In fact,
  it is a series of activities that must happen
  simultaneously. These activities include hardware
  and software installation, configuration and
  customization of the system, testing user
  interfaces and other integrated systems, training
  the stakeholders and employees, mock go- live
  session, data migration, and the actual rollout of

the EHR system. If possible, select a date to
install
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• your EHR software during a quieter time for your
  practice.
• Plan data migration This is one of the most
  critical activities for the success of your EHR
  implementation project. Successful data migration
• will allow your clinicians to access medical
  records for patients. When patient data is
  accurately
• migrated and when clinicians can easily access
  it, they will be excited to use the new system.
  To reduce the effort and time required to migrate
  data,
• youll need to decide on whether you want to
  migrate only current patient data or every bit of
  historical data
• as well. Once you get the data migration step
  right,
• the rewards will be great in the form of
  increased employee productivity and enhanced
  patient experience.
• Conduct employee training Selecting the right
  EHR system for your practice is just the
  beginning.
• The real work starts when you start training your
  employees and when they feel ready to work on the
  new EHR system. Training will vary based on your
• practices workflow, the different roles of
  employees, computer literacy levels, and their
  preferences to engage with the new system.
  However, to make the
• training effective, create department-wise
  schedules, and prepare specific training modules
  relevant to each department. In addition to
  face-to-face training,
• make sure users have access to the support
  package provided by the vendor.
• Have a risk mitigation plan in place Even with
  the best technology and planning, occasional
  glitches may happen. EHR software is complex, and
  its
• implementation is a multi-step process, so be
  prepared for unforeseen situations. For instance,
  how will your physicians deliver patient care
  when
• the power goes out? Who will be your employees
  first point of contact if there is a system-wide
  malfunction? Focus on developing processes that
• help your employees handle the challenges of
  implementing EHR. You may consider compiling the
• instructions and storing PDF copies on a secure
  cloud, so your employees have quick access to

troubleshooting steps.
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• 10. Define KPIs to evaluate the success of the
  new EHR system This is the last leg of your EHR
  implementation planning process. This is the time
  to identify and key metrics against which you
  will measure the success of your EHR software
  implementation. These KPI are of different types,
  and the right one for your practice will depend
  on your goals For instance, you can
• Calculate ROI to assess profitability.
• Record patient volume to assess productivity.
• Measure patient satisfaction through surveys to
  assess the quality of care.
• Measure physician satisfaction through surveys to
  assess user
• adoption.
• Analyze data errors to assess data input quality.
• Conclusion
• EHR implementation is a multi-step process that
  demands a lot of planning. Even if you are not
  installing a new system and just switching from
  one EHR to another, the above-discussed steps
  will give your project a foundation and help make
  the transition way smoother. A successful EHR
  implementation is your steppingstone to utilizing
  the full potential of your new system. In this
  article, we share 10 key steps for a successful
  EHR implementation.
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