Computer Sciences and Information Technology
Topic:
Implementation Plan Outline
Implementation Plan Outline for an Enterprise Health Care System
Develop an implementation plan outline for an enterprise health care system. In the outline, include a description of the following elements and how you would address them in an EHR implementation plan.
a. Impacted health care settings within the enterprise health care system.
b. Needs for interoperability and interfaces between information systems.
c. Education and training requirements.
d. User acceptance testing considerations.
Introduction
Despite the fact that EHR systems are expected to have a positive effect on the overall performance in healthcare set ups like hospitals, implementing these systems is usually a very complex process. As such, a good plan is necessary for the implementations of these systems because it makes it easier to undertake the implementation process. Recently, hospitals around the world are implementing HER systems with the aim of achieving enhanced service integration and to make patient data more readily available (Davis & Stoots, 2012). In addition, Davis and Stoots note that the overall efficiency and effectiveness in terms of costs and service delivery also increases significantly. For these reasons, EHR systems plan an important in modern healthcare systems and there is need to develop a solid implementation plan to guarantee a smooth implementation process which is what this plan aims to achieve.
Impacted Health Care Settings
This EHR systems implementation plan targeted healthcare setting is a hospital. Boonstra, Versluis, and Vos (2014) argues that implementation of EHR systems in a hospital set up can be a complex undertaking that require a wide range of technical and organization factors like human skills, financial resources, and organizational structure, among others. In addition, the fact that hospitals have to handle very private and confidential patient information like medical data, and have a diverse workforce makes it a complex undertaking that require a well thought out plan.
Needs for Interoperability and Interfaces between Information Systems
Today networked computerized systems have made the world to become smaller in the sense that more people are in constant contact with each other than ever before. As more complex systems continue to be networked with each other interoperability has become a serious issue affecting most industries particularly healthcare. Kabachinski (2012) describes interoperability as computerized systems capability to connect or communicate with each other readily even in situations where they have been developed by different manufactures or operating in different industries.
According to Kabachinski (2012), Interoperability is the extent to which EHR systems and devises exchange data and then interpret this shared data. Kabachinski adds that in the healthcare industry interoperability allows medical professionals to share important medical data from hospital, laboratories, clinics, among other medical practices. Having interoperability and interfaces between information systems is important because it allows medical practioners to share vital information either on patients medical record or recent medical research. As such, this HER implementation will have to incorporate Interoperability and Interfaces within its system.
Establishment of Project Team
With the defined implementation tasks above, the next step of this plan is to come with an effective project team. Among the key members that will make this project team will include; a project manager to coordinate the activities of the project. An applications analyst and application’s developer will also be key members of this group. A QA Test Engineer will also be required to conduct system testing and manage its performance. Brown and Woolery (2008) argue that depending on the challenges that might arise during the project implementation process, an external EHR systems implementation specialist may be brought in to address these challenges.
Mapping of Critical Practice Workflows
In this step, the main tasks will be to identify some of the key areas that are likely cause problems during the project implementation process. Undertaking this measure will be crucial in ensuring that the project team can come up with a plan of action to address the problems identified (Brown & Woolery, 2008). In addition, a re-map of practice workflows that is based on the incorporated EHR system will also be done.
Communications
Effective communication is a key part of any successful project implementation process. For this reason, Hartley & Jones, (2012) recommends that regular meetings with the HER system implementation team and other relevant stakeholders should be set up. Such meetings will allow for effective communication or regular updates of the project’s progress and important project decisions or adjustments can be made during this time.
Education and Training Requirements
Ensuring that the employees at the hospital are conversant will the technicalities and deals of the EHR system is necessary so as ensure that it is effective. As Schneider (2005) suggests, the effectiveness of any system is dependent on the personnel operating it. As such, this step will involve identifying trainers and also scheduling their training sessions. In addition, the trainers should familiarize themselves with the tools and content of the EHR system through an education program that can be done through sharing presentations or videos online or a physical class presentation. During this step, updates on any new emergency codes should also be made to the staff present. Undertaking this education and training programs will allow the project team to be updated with the current dynamics of the EHR system.
User Acceptance Testing Considerations
This is the final step of the implementation plan and it involves conducting unit and integration testing of the various modules within the EHR system. In addition, system load and stress testing will also have to be done to establish any flaws early so that appropriate measures can be undertaken. Undertaking these tests will allow the project implementation team to come up with different situations and scenarios for implementing the EHR system.
Conclusion
From the foregoing, a good plan is necessary for the implementations of these systems because it makes it easier to undertake the implementation process. The fact that hospitals have to handle very private and confidential patient information like medical data, and have a diverse workforce makes it a complex undertaking that require a well thought out plan. The outline of this implementation plan has highlighted the necessary steps required to ensure that the EHR system implementation plan is a smooth process.
References
Boonstra, A., Versluis, A., & Vos, J. F. J. (2014). Implementing electronic health records in hospitals: a systematic literature review. BMC Health Services Research, 14(1). doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-14-370
Brown, R., & Woolery, M. (2008). EHR Implementation … In Hindsight. Family Practice News, 38(14), 49. doi: 10.1016/s0300-7073(08)70926-5
Davis, C., & Stoots, M. (2012). A guide to Ehr adoption: implementation through organizational transformation. Chicago, IL.: HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems).
Hartley, C. P., & Jones, E. (2012). Ehr implementation: a step-by-step guide for the medical practice. Chicago, IL: American Medical Association.
Kabachinski, J. (2012). The Broad Impact of EHR Implementation. Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, 46(3), 224–226. doi: 10.2345/0899-8205-46.3.224
Schneider, M. E. (2005). Avoid Common Pitfalls of EHR Implementation. Family Practice News, 35(12), 71. doi: 10.1016/s0300-7073(05)70907-5
