EMR conversion
Electronic Medical Records (EMR’s) appear to be the wave of the future. There are certainly benefits, but there are also many shortfalls and a huge expense. Converting from paper to electronic records is time-consuming and very anxiety-provoking for both physicians and staff. Yelling, cursing, silent treatments and behind-the-back griping are all part of the upgrade processes, but none of these are helpful and all can sabotage the process. We have undertaken this task and definitely have had our share of difficulties. But now that we are in our second year, it is very nice.
Some helpful hints to lessen the trauma of the upgrade are:
1. The Practice works together as a team fairs better
Making sure your entire staff climbs on board the EMR training is a key to success.
There is no perfect EMR and each practice will have a workflow that will need adjusting. Change brings anxiety, so talking about the processes ahead of time will help.
2. Lesson No. 2: Choose the captain
All consultants agree that at least one physician should champion the process and be integrally involved. This is the one area that many practices fail.
3. Lesson No. 3: Keep negative comments in check
In many practices, there will be a third very enthusiastic, a third not caring and a third opposed. It is the one’s opposed who can really jeopardize a smooth transition if there is such a thing. It must be made clear up front that the naysayers should be kept in check by whatever means is appropriate. Some employees may not be capable of making the transition. If it happens to be a physician, there needs to be serious talks amongst the partners. Communication with the employees is critical during this time.
4. Lesson No. 4: Training is key
Training is often minimized for cost savings, but it is very critical. No system is perfect and it will take many trials and tweaks to get any system up and running in a manner that fits your practice style.
5. Lesson No. 5: Learn From Others’ Mistakes
Having a reputable dealer and other practices that you can call on for questions will make the transition a lot smoother and the learning curve a lot less steep.
Some helpful hints to lessen the trauma of the upgrade are:
1. The Practice works together as a team fairs better
Making sure your entire staff climbs on board the EMR training is a key to success.
There is no perfect EMR and each practice will have a workflow that will need adjusting. Change brings anxiety, so talking about the processes ahead of time will help.
2. Lesson No. 2: Choose the captain
All consultants agree that at least one physician should champion the process and be integrally involved. This is the one area that many practices fail.
3. Lesson No. 3: Keep negative comments in check
In many practices, there will be a third very enthusiastic, a third not caring and a third opposed. It is the one’s opposed who can really jeopardize a smooth transition if there is such a thing. It must be made clear up front that the naysayers should be kept in check by whatever means is appropriate. Some employees may not be capable of making the transition. If it happens to be a physician, there needs to be serious talks amongst the partners. Communication with the employees is critical during this time.
4. Lesson No. 4: Training is key
Training is often minimized for cost savings, but it is very critical. No system is perfect and it will take many trials and tweaks to get any system up and running in a manner that fits your practice style.
5. Lesson No. 5: Learn From Others’ Mistakes
Having a reputable dealer and other practices that you can call on for questions will make the transition a lot smoother and the learning curve a lot less steep.
posted by Anonymous at 6:05 PM
1 Comments:
Sounds to me like you need to take a 2 week cruise along the French Riviera. Oops, I forgot. You're a doctor and not a hospital administrator.
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