References
Boonstra, A. (2014). Implementing electronic health records in hospitals: A systematic literature review. BMC Health Services Research, 14(370). http://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6963-14-370
Kruse, C. S., Stein, A., Thomas, H., & Kaur, H. (2018). The use of Electronic Health Records to support population health: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Medical Systems, 42(11). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-018-1075-6
Koskela, T., Sandström, S., Mäkinen, J., & Liira, H. (2016). User perspectives on an electronic decision-support tool performing comprehensive medication reviews—A focus group study with physicians and nurses. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 16(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-016-0245-z
The implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHR) in healthcare organizations has transformed the way patient information is managed and accessed. This technological advancement has the potential to improve patient care, enhance clinical decision-making, and streamline administrative processes. However, EHR implementation also comes with its own set of challenges and considerations that healthcare leaders need to address for successful adoption and integration.
The systematic literature review conducted by Boonstra (2014) sheds light on the challenges faced by hospitals during the implementation of EHR systems. The study emphasizes the need for careful planning, proper change management strategies, and the involvement of all stakeholders. Additionally, Koskela et al. (2016) highlight the importance of considering user perspectives when implementing EHR tools. Their focus group study reveals insights from physicians and nurses, emphasizing the significance of user-friendly interfaces and decision-support capabilities.
Kruse et al. (2018) provide insights into how EHR systems can support population health initiatives. Their systematic review of the literature showcases the potential benefits of EHR in improving patient outcomes and promoting preventive care. However, the study also underlines the need for interoperability and data sharing among healthcare systems to fully realize the potential of EHR in population health management.
While the benefits of EHR implementation are undeniable, the challenges cannot be ignored. The video “Lessons learned from an EHR deployment” (2021) highlights the difficulties faced by the Department of Defense (DoD) during the implementation of the Cerner EHR system. The video discusses challenges related to data migration, system customization, and user training.
In light of these considerations, healthcare organizations must carefully choose a suitable change theory to guide their EHR implementation. The chosen change theory should align with the organization’s culture, goals, and existing processes. Additionally, proper risk assessment and mitigation strategies should be in place to address potential challenges.
In conclusion, the implementation of EHR systems in healthcare organizations requires thorough planning, stakeholder involvement, user perspective consideration, and proper change management strategies. While the benefits of EHR are substantial, organizations must be prepared to navigate challenges to ensure successful adoption and integration.
References
Boonstra, A. (2014). Implementing electronic health records in hospitals: A systematic literature review. BMC Health Services Research, 14(370). http://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6963-14-370
Kruse, C. S., Stein, A., Thomas, H., & Kaur, H. (2018). The use of Electronic Health Records to support population health: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Medical Systems, 42(11). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-018-1075-6
Koskela, T., Sandström, S., Mäkinen, J., & Liira, H. (2016). User perspectives on an electronic decision-support tool performing comprehensive medication reviews—A focus group study with physicians and nurses. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 16(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-016-0245-z
Lessons learned from an EHR deployment: DoD discusses challenges with implementing Cerner. (2021). https://www.healthcareitnews.com/video/dod-execs-share-challenges-implementing-cerner-ehr
