Usage and Challenges of EHR Implementation
When implement
ing an HER system, whether it be
from paper charting or another HER system, there are a number of challenges you should always expect. Staff resistance is one of the common challenges that you should expect when in the process of implementation. In most cases, there is a resistance to change from the clinical support and board members and stakeholders. Before the implementation process is enacted, it is important to deliver it with a promotion and marketing plan that perhaps champion the change (). This creates acceptance and builds positivity within the staff.
Another challenge associated with the implementation process is the loss in productivity and lack of full implementation. Whenever you are implementing HER system, it is advisable that you anticipate a reduction in staff productivity. To overcome this challenge, administration need to prepare for potential overtime pay and advocate for overtime pay and seek additional support. For instance, consider hiring a new healthcare consultant. The best way to solve this issue if to offer training session to the staffs before the implementation process.
Data immigration also comes as a challenge when implementing the HER. Notably, there must be existing data that would have to be shifted. The process of migration is tedious and time-consuming. There are also sensitive and private information that have to be migrated in an accurate manner with an aim of ensuring that there is continued patient care. During the implementation process, there is a need for priotizing records to determine the extent in which back data will and should be migrated. You can also appoint a pint person to upload all new information that is faxed or delivered via paper. S
Regarding data capturing, when instruments such as infusion pumps, respirations, spirometers labor, and other devices are linked, such devices have to know the identity of the subject and transmit data in a manner that is easily accommodated (). When more and more monitoring is adopted in the home, it becomes more and more difficult to resolve such an issue. It has been documented that monitoring patience, especially those with chronic diseases is a challenge. We therefore need a system that ascertain whether people routinely take their medications.
Another issue that comes as a challenge is cultural problem. This challenge is somehow the same as staff resistance. Cultural problems are when users reject it based on their beliefs and cultural aspect. There are also cases of weakness of relationship between physicians and patients (). To face such a challenge, you need to address HER benefits to the public, advertise it to the public, motivate and encourage organizations to adopt, and improving the HER through training ().
Outcome also comes as a challenge when desired or expected results vary from the achieved. In some resource-limited settings, implementing identifiers that are unique and making sure that patient tracking is effective can be efficient in improving care coordination goals. However, there are special cases when the settings seek more complex changes. In such a scenario, it becomes a challenge. For instance, some EMR implementations are credited with the role of giving track to the outcome of the patients. Others are credited with increased productivity of the clinic. While it is assumed that EMRs systems are meant to improve the heath care for patients and populations, some research suggests that this will be more possible if research, quality improvement, and disease surveillance are the basic goals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, activating HER involves a number of approaches that are meant to prepare the new system that is expected to ensure privacy/security of compliance, design efficient workflow, and manage the adoption process. Implementing a thoughtful EHR system ensures that the practice adapt more easily to the newly installed system, which benefits patients, physicians and staffs. Thus, Electronic Health Record has a meaningful purpose in the medical fields. Pharmacists always expand their role to provide better medication and treatment to the patient as well as a smooth and convenient working environment to the medical institution and the staff. In this regard’s adaptation of EHR enhanced this growth. Since 2012, office-based physician adaptation rate has nearly doubled from 42% – 87% (Jamoom E, Yang N, Hing E., 2015). Notably, the implementation process comes with challenges and resisting to such challenges requires advance efforts. The implementation process is an essential step to consider when there is a need to adopt the system.
References
Evans RS et al.,Electronic Health Records: Then, Now, and in the Future,Yearb Med Inform, 2016 May 20;Suppl 1:S48-61. doi: 10.15265/IYS-2016-s006.
Adler-Milstein J et al. Health Serv Res 2015 Dec;50(6):1751-71. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12406.
Al Kuwaiti A, Al Muhanna FA, Al Amri S. Oman Med J. 2018 Sep;33(5):367-373. doi:10.5001/omj.2018.69.
Jamoom E, Yang N, Hing E., Percentage of office-based physicians using any electronic healthrecords or electronic medical records, physicians that have a basic system, and physicians that have a certified system, by state: United States, 2015.