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Troubles With EMR Implementation?

Posted by Julie - on Tue, Mar 05, 2013

In my experience as a Dragon Software trainer, I saw firsthand the resultsCommunication, Expectations, Inclusion, Tools of EMR implementations.  Sometimes it was done well, all too often it lacked several key components: Communication, Explanation of Expectations, Appropriate Tools, not to mention Effective Training.  Overall, the underlying element I almost consistently observed was minimal or no Change Management!!

What is Change Management?  A process for shifting/transitioning individuals, teams, and organizations from a current state to a desired future state.  Change is emotional and personal.  It affects time.  It affects productivity.  Therefore, it should not be ignored as it is an essential for success.

Effective EMR Implementation is not simply about the nuts and bolts of putting a system in place!  It is about a dramatic change to a provider’s daily workflow, which is a habit and has a comfort-level.  It is essential to understand habits and the pain and inefficiency that many people go through as those routines are changed.  

People adapt to change differently, many fight it, while others thrive on it.  Today it seems that change is occurring at warp speed.  Many are getting taken down by change as they wish to "keep doing things the way they always have".

Be sure to Manage Change

Successfully implementing an EHR is not about the software, it’s about getting everyone to embrace change.  Need to involve providers and get their buy-in.

 

Communication!  What is your communication plan?

Changes in processes, why they must be changed, and what the benefits are need to be clearly communicated.  These benefits should include functionality that will be of benefit to the provider.  Most people know that EMR’s are being required in our health care world today, but articulating it and setting expectations are keys to acceptance.  If a doctor told me I had to quit eating chocolate immediately, but didn’t explain why, I can guarantee a success rate of 0%.  However, if the doctor communicated the affects chocolate has on various diseases such as diabetes, GERD and IBS, the success rate would definitely increase.  (Probably not a 100%, but it would be better!)

Change Management=SuccessInclusion!  Have you tapped into the insight of your stakeholders?

I recently went to a seminar where the instructor told us, “You need to think IN the box! – NOT OUT of the box.”  I was surprised at his comment, but when he explained that the people “in the box” are closest to and have the most experience in whatever you are referring to, it makes sense.  For the most part, Business Managers don’t know the ins and outs of the job of the providers, how they interact with their patients, and generally what they accomplish on a daily basis.  Providers can educate on current workflow, help in redesign of workflow for best practices, give valuable feedback, and at the same time feel a part of the process. 

We spend the majority of our day at our place of employment and all of us would like to be respected for the job we do.  Management sometimes moves along thinking they are doing what’s best for the organization without ever realizing they have disrespected the very people who have the power to make it work.  Forcing people to do something will put your new system in place, but successful implementation has buy-in from the people who use it. 

Tools For Success!  What will help the provider make it a reality?

There is no doubt that EMR implementation takes time and education.  Give the providers the tools and resources they need and the time to adjust.  Know that each person is an individual and learns differently than the next.  Some may do well in a class environment, others may need one-on-one attention.  In addition, some people are not used to typing or clicking into computers, especially if they are coming from paper charting or transcriptionists.  Offering additional software solutions, like Dragon Medical Practice Edition, is an easy and effective solution to remedy an intimidating aspect of the EMR.

Healthcare organizations have a wide spectrum of doctors when it comes to their knowledge/use of computers.  So, implementing an EMR is a task that requires more than just a simple training class.  For a successful EMR Implementation it requires a carefully planned and executed strategy and must include change management. 

Tags: Dragon Software Support, Dragon Medical Practice Edition, EMR Implementation, Change Management, Provider Acceptance, EMR Change