Almost all hospitals in the US have made the transition from paper-based document systems to EHRs. Well, you have also decided to switch gears. Now that you have selected an EHR system the next step is to successfully implement it. Here comes the challenge! It’s not as easy as you might think. There are a few potential challenges associated with the adoption and usage of EHRs. Knowing the challenges ahead of time helps the healthcare providers to avoid them, ensuring a smooth transition process.
Let us in this article discuss the common challenges that healthcare providers face during EHR implementation.
- Lack of training: Successful implementation of a new EHR requires adequate training. Lack of proper training will make the transition a slow and a stressful one which is not a great way to get started. Hence, it is the level of training that determines how smoothly the transition to adopting the EHR system would be. So, make adequate training a top priority.
- Cost of implementation: Cost is the biggest barrier to EHR implementation. The software cost, implementation assistance, training for the staff and the on-going maintenance might put the clinical practice in a tough financial situation. Hence, both large and small practices should plan their resources accordingly to seamlessly implement the EHR.
- Resistance to change: Not everyone in the medical practice is ready to embrace a new change. Some may be doubtful of the efficacy of the new system while others may be reluctant to give up the traditional paper-based system and transition to the new electronic health records. As a result, the clinical practice may experience strong opposition from users of all levels. Preparing your staff for the change, paves the way for a successful EHR implementation.
- Data migration: Moving all paper-based documents to digital records is an upheaval task. With an exceedingly high volume of patient data, extracting, moving and repopulating is a tedious and time-consuming process. Moreover, it contains sensitive patient information that must be transferred accurately to ensure patient safety and continuity of care. All this could result in delays in implementing the EHR system. So, an experienced team should handle the data conversion process. This could help avoid any errors that could impact patient care and safety.
- Investing in a complicated system: EHR systems should not be complicated, but they often are. It’s not always about yourself, it is crucial to consider how easy it would be for the least tech-savvy staff to use the software system. Simply put, it should be user friendly in nature. A truly usable EHR is one that could be easily used the very first day it is implemented.
EHR has become the most preferred choice of medical record keeping in most clinical practices. The use of EHR can be a boon, but it can come with a few challenges. So, make sure to plan ahead to overcome the challenges and execute them effectively! Once the EHR is in place the healthcare facility can look forward to plenty of benefits.