Successful EMR Implementation Strategies

Electronic Medical Record (EMR) software improves care quality, patient outcomes, safety, and patient-provider communication. EMR systems also help healthcare providers save time by streamlining and scheduling patient data management processes.

Transitioning from paper charts to medical record software may seem impossible if your practice uses paper records for a long time. Even though the process can be time-consuming, the ultimate result is well worth the effort. Hospitals utilize a variety of medical health records to store health data and patient records, arrange patient visits, remind doctors about lab results or other scheduled activities and communicate with patients online. The medical record softwarecan make billing, reporting, insurance reimbursement, and other administrative activities easier.

Implementation of Electronic Medical Records

It might be challenging to transition to a new EMR when healthcare providers are only familiar with paper records or an outdated system. It’s vital to pay attention to the system’s general security and privacy, as well as an emphasis on thorough training for early adoption and swift changes. Quality medical record software installation requires a well-thought-out plan that specifies the relevant activities and order of tasks and regular and clear communication with the entire health care team.

Make a Plan for EMR Implementation

Your EMR deployment strategy should ideally focus on three critical areas. Time, money, and scope. To begin with, make sure you have enough time to complete the installation. Second, you should evaluate your financial resources and stick to the plan. Third, be clear about your goals and determine which EMR features are essential to your practice.

Time needed to implement an Electronic Medical Record

The scenario determines the extent of time it takes to deploy an EMR. Because so many variables might affect the time it takes to establish an EMR, the average implementation time varies depending on the context and product.

Purpose of an implementation plan

An implementation plan is a document that outlines the steps your team should take to achieve a common goal or effort. The strategic plan outlines your strategies to attain a given objective; the implementation plan lays out how you’ll get there step-by-step.  Before the execution phase, an implementation strategy ensures that your team can answer a project’s prerequisites. In simple terms, an action plan is a document that translates your strategy into particular activities.

An Implementation Plan’s Components

When it comes to establishing your implementation plan, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution. However, for your projects, we’ve produced an implementation strategy outline. The elements that make it up are listed below.

Project Goals & Objectives

The project goal is to successfully implement EMR, while the objectives are the essential milestones or accomplishments met to get there.

Scope statement

The scope statement is a short description of your project’s scope, in which the accomplishment of your goals and objectives are mentioned. 

Resource plan

Create a brief resource plan that includes the human resources, equipment, and materials your project requires.

Risk assessment

Use a risk assessment instrument, such as SWOT analysis, to assess the risk. For your risk analysis, you can use various tools with varying levels of depth.

Implementation Timetable

To be adequately completed, any implementation strategy requires a clear project timeline.

Milestones in the Implementation Plan

It would be best to establish critical implementation plan milestones to track its progress readily.

Roles and responsibilities of the team

The implementation plan will not run on its own. Your team members will need to be assigned jobs and tasks.

Implementation Plan Measures

To track the progress of your implementation plan, you’ll need KPIs or any other performance metrics you can think of.

Steps in EMR Implementation

Any form of EMR software will take a long time to install. For the majority of users, there will be an educational curve for the majority of consumers. A well-thought approach can help the process go as smoothly as possible. The following steps will help you start your EMR implementation strategy:

Establish a Clear EMR Implementation Roadmap

Begin by devising a strategy based on the specific needs of your practice and clinicians. That is the moment to make the outline you’ll utilize throughout the process and figure out the most critical jobs.

It’s best if you start by examining the readiness of your facility as you construct your roadmap. You may need to look into your practice’s existing IT infrastructure, current documentation processes, and the types of training modules available to support your implementation plan.

Organize an EMR Implementation Group

Then you’ll need to work out who will be in charge of the project’s implementation and who will be key players. You’ll need a strong and dedicated team to deal with any challenges that arise along the way.

Three crucial players should be on your team. You’ll need a super lead user first, the individual who will be identified as an EMR software expert. They should create templates and creative workflows, and quickly manage problems. The second thing you’ll need is a lead physician. This person will serve as a liaison between IT and the system’s clinical personnel.

Create a Financial Budget

Implementing new electronic health record software will cost your practice. Your team should create a financial budget and include all the possible costs to meet your end goals.

Transfer of Data

Consider the return on your investment (ROI) when you create your budget. You don’t want to pay more for your EMR than you can recuperate.

The next stage in adopting certified medical record software is data transfer from your old system once your infrastructure is ready. Initiate by determining which method is most convenient for both patients and doctors. Consider the following suggestions to facilitate data transfer:

• Specifying the migration settings, such as what needs to be transferred and how big the backup should be.
• Ensure that all data is entered correctly by checking and double-checking it.
• Keeping the data in a secure location.

Sessions for EMR Training

At this stage, you must consider the training aspect of your EMR deployment to encourage your staff to buy into the new EMR software. The training should be comprehensive and personalized to the participant’s unique needs, highlighting the many benefits of an EMR and how to install that one properly. Consider the following as part of this EMR implementation step:

• Hire highly qualified training staff
• Designating super users as departmental contact points
• Creating a training regimen with specific goals
• Tailoring the training to the users’ current skill levels
• Encourage staff to follow along in real-time for a hands-on experience.

Create Procedures in Case your EMR Goes Down

Unfortunately, in your facility, EMR downtime will be a reality. Even if you are spared from unplanned outages, the EMR network will be unavailable from time to time for updates and maintenance. Knowing how to handle these scenarios will allow you to run your practice more efficiently.

Using paper charts as a backup option for managing EMR outages is possible. You must ensure that clinicians are aware of the rules for the interruption. Keep a paper copy of downtime instructions and have them accessible on the cloud so your team can access the protocols approved for your clinic. Also, make sure you plan to inform everyone about scheduled downtimes.

Reflection on the Launch

The stages of EMR deployment do not end with go-live; your EMR system’s debut is only the beginning. That is a continual, iterative process that necessitates continuous training.

Consider the following optimizing areas such as:

• Productivity levels: Set modest goals for your personnel to stay motivated.

• Estimate progression toward goal criteria to determine the return on investment (ROI).
• Determine the quality of the input and where extra training is required.
• Data collection, billing, and reporting are all processes compiled to make adjustments and optimize overall operations.

Inquire about Feedback

The fact that the EMR is in place does not guarantee everything is in order. There is always space for improvement, and the medical record software employees are the most incredible people to give input. Requesting feedback displays your dedication to gradually improving the system.

Focus on several critical factors in the follow-up evaluations, including physician satisfaction, patient happiness, overall efficiency and productivity, return on investment, and the number of data inaccuracies. You can do this through paper or electronic surveys, personal chats, and forums. Choose the best plan for your employees and customers.

Reasons for Investing in EMR

For healthcare organization

• Improved patient care
• Optimized decision making
• User-friendly system
• Practices efficiency and cost savings
• Improved care coordination

For technology providers

• To increase profitability
• High market demand
• For rapid market growth
• Attracting high-profile customers

EMRs can exchange health information electronically and can help you offer better and safer care for your patients while also boosting the financial line of your business.

EMRs help providers manage patient care and provide improved health care by allowing them to:

• Providing easy access to patient records to organize and deliver care more efficiently.
• Helping physicians make more accurate diagnoses, reduce medical errors, and provide safer treatment.
• Improving patient and provider engagement and communication, as well as healthcare convenience
• Promoting legible, comprehensive paperwork, as well as accurate, efficient coding and billing
• Assisting providers in increasing productivity and work-life balance by strengthening patient data privacy and security

The advantages of having a plan for EMR implementation

Implementation planning has several advantages, the most important of which is a higher possibility of project success. Implementing a project plan provides a roadmap for completing your project and avoiding problems. Other advantages of having a plan in place include:

• Communication between team members and essential stakeholders has improved.

• Better resource organization and management

• Everyone involved in the project will held more accountable.

• Project timelines and daily workflows are more controlled.

• Collaboration amongst team members is more manageable.

Going directly to the implementation phase without a strategy may feel like giving a speech on stage without knowing what you will say. Preparation is essential for top-notch performance.

Are you searching for the most significant EMR service providers?

Medifusion medical record software provides EMR systems in the form of detailed, expert-informed reports. It assists the health organization in customizing internal processes to improve care and revenue profitability. We are proud to provide EMR as a multi-purpose solution that can do more than just the fundamentals and meet the needs of our clients.

Our medical record software provides you with the tools to improve patient care, from documentation to billing and reporting. Thanks to the user-centric design and quality performance system, your practice can work more effectively, leaving more time for your patients.