How to Implement an EHR

How To Implement An EHR

2

Table of Contents

+ Choose an EHR4

+ Set a Go-Live Date6

+ Plan a Rollout Strategy9

+ Implement Your Strategy11

+ Go Live14

+ Resources18

3

- Former President George W. Bush

"By computerizing health records, we can avoid dangerous medical mistakes, reduce costs, and

improve care.”

4

Choose an EHR

Implementing an electronic health record (EHR) doesn’t have to be a daunting process.

With the right planning, your practice can make a smooth transition and start experiencing all the

benefits of your new EHR quickly.

5

Choose an EHR

The EHR you choose should:

+ Fit your current needs+ Fit your future needs+ Be affordable+ Have customer support during the

implementation process and beyond

For more tips on how to select an EHR, visit:

+ http://www.practicefusion.com/blog/4-questions-ask-selecting-ehr/

6

Set a Go-Live Date

When selecting a date to switch to your new EHR:

+ Select a quiet week+ Schedule less patients+ Give your staff time to adjust

7

Set a Go-Live Date

Account for setup time:+ Some EHRs require a lot

of setup time for local servers and software

+ If you’re using a web-based EHR, your go-live date can be the day you sign up

8

EHR use is up 10% this year (2014).

Smaller practices are the driving force behind the jump.

http://www.mmm-online.com/ehr-use-up-10-as-small-practices-tame-data-crunch/article/337973/

9

Plan a Rollout Strategy

A variety of launch strategies can be used:

+ Only some providers go live with the EHR at a time+ All physicians switch together, but use limited features+ Use a web-based EHR and have every provider go live upon sign up

10

Plan a Rollout Strategy

Migrate your entire staff:+ It’s a best practice to develop a

roadmap to move your entire staff to the new system

+ Having everyone on the new system ensures you get the most out of its functionality

11

Implement Your Strategy

When it’s time to implement your EHR, notify:

+ Your patients+ Frequently-used labs and imaging centers+ Billing companies+ Pharmacies+ Other third parties

12

Implement Your Strategy

Ensure each staff member knows their responsibilities and how to accomplish them through the new EHR. These include:

+ Scheduling + Billing+ e-Prescribing+ Charting

13

"For a single health care facility to be competitive, it must optimize its resources and

employ leading-edge technology to raise the bar for efficiency and patient safety."

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040928005284&newsLang=en

14

Go Live

On the first day your practice uses your EHR, make sure to provide everyone with the following to ensure they can complete their workflows within the new system:+ Time+ Resources+ Support

15

Go Live

What’s working? What’s not? Collect feedback from your staff and turn it into actionable changes for refining workflows and

improving patient outcomes.

16

Go Live

Are there specific issues with the way your system functions in your practice?

Let your EHR vendor know. They may be able to help you customize your EHR or incorporate your

feedback into future releases.

17

Go Live

With the right planning, your practice can make a smooth transition and start seeing all the benefits of your new EHR quickly.

18

Resources

+ To learn more about the Practice Fusion EHR, watch this quick overview video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM-pC1U9Y4k

+ Learn more about selecting an EHR: http://www.practicefusion.com/blog/4-questions-ask-selecting-ehr/

+ Set up a completely free, web-based EHR from Practice Fusion in less than 5 minutes: https://www.practicefusion.com/signup/