Barriers to Electronic Health Record System Implementation and Information Systems Resources Essay

The successful implementation and adoption of a computer charting system are fundamental to the delivery of safe and quality patient care for patients. However, such an undertaking is not straightforward as it requires complex strategic planning accompanying organizational change connected with such a program. The paper discusses how a project manager can successfully implement a new computer charting system in an organization.

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Why it is important to understand usability, configurability, and interoperability

Interoperability refers to the ability capability of diverse software applications and information technology systems to communicate and exchange date, and also utilize the data the exchanged data.  For two systems to be really interoperable, they must have the ability to exchange and then utilize the information. For this to happen, the message passed on must have standardized coded data so that the system receiving this data can interpret it (Giraudeaue, 2018).

Usability is the degree to which specified users can utilize a system satisfactorily, effectively, and efficiently to accomplish goals with satisfaction, efficiency, and effectiveness in a specific work environment.  According to Giraudeaue (2018), the usability of a health IT system reflects the simplicity of the system and the ability of the user to operate it effectively without making mistakes.  Poor usability impacts the capacity of clinicians to complete tasks efficiently, effectively, and safely and is connected with greater patient safety concerns. When considering usability, the project manager should ensure that the system is user-friendly, not cumbersome, or hampers the capability of the user to complete their work effectively.  Configurability is the ability of the system’s software to allow the user to access data from numerous channels without carrying out complicated searches. A well-configured system allows administrators and providers are capable of generating comprehensive real-time reports and quickly adjust processes or make decisions (Giraudeaue, 2018).

The concepts of usability, interoperability, and configurability concepts should outweigh the underlining cost of the new system. A well configured, usable, and interoperable health information technology will support the effective delivery and management of patient care. Through supporting the staff involved in the process of delivering care, both patients and the care delivery team, technological innovations can make the procedure of delivering and receiving care more reliable and efficient.  Poorly configured many not be usable and interoperable and thus make care delivery more difficult (Giraudeaue, 2018). I would recommend the Epic system because it has the best combination of features and usability. Epic has the most complete and usability functionality for individual practices and also for implementing an electronic health record that can be shared effectively by the whole health care community.

Characteristics that are  important to consider when selecting a team

Selecting a team of clinician super users to offer frontline support to staff is important to promote the successful implementation and adoption of the computer charting system.  According to Yuan et al (2015), super users are individuals already in the organization, are trained chosen systems to equip them with the skills to offer frontline technical support to their colleagues. Super users serve as a role model for their peers, project liaison amid the clinician team and system developer and technology ambassador who assist promote acceptance for change.  Super users are social influencers who have the ability to alter the attitude or behavior of other people. They are salient due to their formal role in change efforts and thus influence the beliefs and use of a new technological system by their colleagues, especially in the early stages of a system implementation when staff are learning how to operate and utilize the system in their daily work (Yuan et al (2015).

Lead with culture, determining where the resistance is,” and then, engage all levels of employees.

During phase two, the principle of “lead with culture, determining where resistance is”, then engage all levels of employees to mean the implementation of a system requires collaboration among stakeholders who are of diverse cultures.  According to Nilsen et al (2016), successful implementation of a system requires interaction and collaboration between diverse groups from diverse organizational cultures, such as healthcare providers (including nurses and physicians), technology developers, and organizational information technology staff.  This collaboration is an opportunity for different parties to learn, but it is also a source of resistance. I can implement this principle by understanding that different stakeholders have their own distinctive culture and way of doing things.  Thus, I will assess the capacity of diverse stakeholders to change the early phases of system implementation. Barriers to Electronic Health Record System Implementation and Information Systems Resources Essay. By recognizing changes and associated impacts early enough, I can assist project teams develop a strategy for supporting staff as they adopt the new system and use it in their daily work.

How I will handle physician and other key professionals’ resistance to change and using the new system

Lack of staff motivation and morale is among the most common causes of resistance to change and failure of information technology adoption. Change initiatives fail to succeed due to the failure of change of attitudes and mindset (Korosu, 2017).  I can handle physicians and other key professionals’ resistance to change and using the new system by clearly communicating the benefits and value of the system as well as its impact on end-users and by involving them earlier in the implementation process to make them feel a part of the process.

Possible pitfalls during the implementation phase and how to avoid them

Staff resistance is a most possible pitfall during the implementation phase.  Individuals usually have a hard time accepting change, particularly in the work environment. There is a possibility that there will be resistance to the adoption of the new system from the support and clinical staff. As indicated by  Gesulga, et al (2017), the challenge of transitioning to a novel system that can be connected with the fear of change can make staff to reject the system. I can avoid this pitfall by slowly and steadily implementing the system and comprehensively training the staff.

Data migration is another possible pitfall during the implementation phase. Migrating existing data to the new system is tedious and time-consuming. In addition, it contains sensitive and private information that needs accurate migration to ensure continued patient care. According to Gesulga et al (2017), concerns arising from the confidentiality and privacy of data as a challenge in the implementation of HER system. Risks connected with the violation of sensitive data should be managed. I can avoid this pitfall by assigning certain individuals to upload all information delivered via paper. This information will be promptly stored in the new charting system to make use of the system simpler for everyone.

My personal experience with automation and new information systems

My personal experience with automation and new information systems is that healthcare information technology automation empowers the whole healthcare system in the delivery of safe and high-quality care. With the uniformity of processes, there is consistency in the provision of health care services. EHRs govern the advanced scheme of patient information management. Additionally, it amplifies administrative work including data entry, patient indexing, and employee tasks. Healthcare automation prevents mistakes that occur due to employees’ fatigue or inattentiveness. The staff can utilize automated systems in designing their workflows. Additionally, the centralized platform provides streamlined collaboration and transparency leaving no room for mistakes. Barriers to Electronic Health Record System Implementation and Information Systems Resources Essay.

Conclusion

The process of implementing a new computer charting system is a complex process that entails the proper choice of the system and the deployment of appropriate change management strategies.   Project managers need to understand the concepts of interoperability, usability, and configurability to ensure the new system will enhance effective care delivery. It is also important to understand that employee resistance to change and the use of the new is a possible pitfall in the implementation phase. As such, it is important to motivate employees and involve them in the implementation process early enough to make them feel they are part of the project.

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References

Gesulga, J. M., Berjame, A., Moquiala, K. S., & Galido, A. (2017). Barriers to Electronic Health Record System Implementation and Information Systems Resources: A Structured Review.  Procedia Computer Science, 124, 544-551. doi: 10.1016/j.procs.2017.12.188

Giraudeaue, G. (2018). e-Health Care in Dentistry and Oral Medicine: A Clinician’s Guide. Springer.

Korosu, M. (2017). Human-Computer Interaction. User Interface Design, Development and Multimodality: 9th International Conference, HCI International 2017, Vancouver, BC, Canada, July 9-14, 2017, Proceedings, Part I. Springer.

Nilsen, E. R., Dugstad, J., Eide, H., Gullslett, M. K., & Eide, T. (2016). Exploring resistance to implementation of welfare technology in municipal healthcare services – a longitudinal case study. BMC Health Services Research, 16, 657. doi: 10.1186/s12913-016-1913-5

Yuan, C., Bradley, E. H., & Nembhard, I. M. (2015). A mixed methods study of how clinician ‘super users’ influence others during the implementation of electronic health records. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 15, 26. doi: 10.1186/s12911-015-0154-6.

Barriers to Electronic Health Record System Implementation and Information Systems Resources Essay