Blog

Making the Decision to Switch to a New EHR: What to Expect and what to Do?

Published on: 04-28-2022

According to Care Cloud, EHR selection is not a simple IT project, and the IT portion can be challenging.  This will enable buy-in across departments and will allow you to more accurately determine your requirements and requirements.. Use this page to guide you through the transition.

Setting a clear purpose for the deployment of the EHR is an excellent first step in managing change. Develop a clear understanding of your organization's objectives, how the system will improve your practice, and how you will incorporate it into your overall business strategy for the next five years. Next, receive a precise estimate of the costs. As soon as you receive this information, you can proceed with the rest of the procedure.

Make certain that your crew receives adequate training.. Despite the importance of early training, users will not be able to fully utilize the new EHR unless there is widespread user adoption. Consider providing role-based training to your team, clear communication with the support team, and a feedback loop with the project management team to ensure that they are satisfied with the new EHR you've implemented. Investing in a comprehensive training program will be a wise decision.

Care Cloud believes that another important factor to consider is the staff.  Physicians and staff will need to devote additional time and effort to making the EHR system work effectively, despite the numerous benefits it provides for improving patient care. Unless the necessary training is provided, it is possible that the transfer will take longer to complete than planned. Long-term success can be achieved if you can convince your employees of the advantages of using the new system.

A comprehensive strategic strategy for EHR deployment should be developed by healthcare organizations, in addition to enlisting physician champions. Create an environment that supports mutual assistance and dependency before implementing any new electronic health records system. It is also vital to have extensive contingency planning in place. While the implementation process is in progress, it is possible that workflow may become erratic and that staff productivity will drop. Patients may become inflamed as a result of the procedure. Prepare your team for a succession of barriers and challenges if you want to manage this transformation smoothly.

Consider implementing a mentorship program or providing personnel with training. Other physicians can learn how to utilize the EHR from a physician who is considered a super user. A medical assistant or licensed practical nurse (LPN) who already uses an EHR might also be a good role model. The initial week of use should be spent getting everyone in the office comfortable with the EHR, and the number of users should be gradually increased over time. Using a single EHR for all patients or a chosen set of patients is a good idea if you have a practice with a wide range of appointment kinds.

Perhaps your team will need to modify the software in order to make it work properly. Take into consideration how the EHR will assist you in streamlining your processes. It is possible that you will need to integrate demographic data from practice management software, create default patient histories, and modify billing settings. Examples include importing patient details, medications, and social history into your database. Identify the elements that will need to be entered into the new EHR and create a checklist for them. It will aid in the prevention of critical information from being lost during the transfer procedure.

Care Cloud feels that documenting your existing workflow and clarifying processes will help you determine criteria for EHR software. Understanding the steps that your team and patients must take in order to successfully implement the new EHR will benefit you greatly. The planning process can begin as soon as your roadmap is complete. It will then be necessary to train your employees and assess their readiness for the new EHR system.