How Implementation Can Break and Make Your EHR Experience

A statistic that can make any hospital executive nervous before installing a new system is that about 50 percent of all EHR projects fail, or users will never properly utilize the system. 

While Health IT solutions focus on driving improved performance and proficiency, having a poor or incomplete implementation can adversely affect your facility during the deployment and for an extended time post-implementation.   

Most hospitals have gone through a major system implementation and know that the process is complicated to manage. The goal is always to support continuity of safe, exceptional patient care while ensuring contingency plans are established to address any problems. Is that goal always achieved? Statistics tell a discouraging story. 

Your facility doesn’t have to become a failure statistic. 

The single most important long-term success factor is achieving a thorough understanding of existing services and processes and adapting those to the workflows built into your selected EHR vendor. As your implementation will reach across almost every department within your hospital, you should put together a team that includes experts and “super users” from all facility areas to ensure desired results are achieved and the solution complements existing workflows. 

Successful implementation involves communication within and outside the IT department. The process should consist of deep collaboration with the technology and the people, practices, and ethos of the healthcare facility. Early resolution of potential issues can reduce future clinical, operational, and financial challenges.  

A sampling of the critical components correlated to implementation planning that can position your organization for success during and beyond deployment include: 

• Take time to get to know your EHR vendor’s processes and methodology. That includes understanding their upgrade and maintenance process, support structure, and training and optimization capabilities.  
• Define and organize your implementation team to ensure a successful and smooth switchover to your new EHR. Choose team members who will advocate for each area of your hospital impacted during and after the transition to the new EHR solution. 
• Ensure that your EHR vendor offers sufficient and varied staff training models (Web-based training, Learning Management tools, Classroom Training). The adequacy and timing of educational offerings during and after the EHR implementation process can prevent unnecessary challenges and complications with daily operations.  
• Avoid expensive and disruptive mistakes by avoiding EHR partners that do not possess experience or longevity in the industry. Your vendor should be upfront about their level of skilled and experienced resources and follow proper discovery methods to understand your integration and workflow needs. 
• Your EHR partner should designate an executive sponsor to support your leadership team throughout the implementation, serving on hospital steering meetings and escalation points as needed. 
• Validate that your vendor has sufficient and detailed testing processes to confirm that your solution is functioning as expected, running from patient registration to discharge to billing. 

To learn more about how MEDHOST partners with its customers to ensure a smooth transition before, during, and after the implementation for your continued success, reach out to us at inquiries@medhost.com or call 1.800.383.6278.