May 2010

Why the CFHC EHR Implementation Will Succeed
By Guest Contributor: Ted Radzik, PA, MCSE
IPHCA EHR Implementation Specialist

I recently read an interesting internet post about why HIT implementations fail. My only problem with the post was that it focused too much on the negative. Too many organizations, doctors and clinical staff are looking for reasons to have their HIT implementation fail and not enough of us are looking at the reasons that will bring success to an HIT implementation.

With this in mind, here are my reasons why the CFHC EHR implementation will succeed.

Leadership
As the saying goes “Success starts at the top.” This is so true when it comes to implementing HIT. At CFHC the HIT implementation is taking the highest degree of organizational priority, all the way from Board of Directors. Your leadership understands the importance of doing this once, and doing it right.

Change
The CFHC project is a major change in how healthcare is delivered. It changes everything we are comfortable with. The workflows will change, how we document patient care will change, how we monitor patient compliance with our treatment plans will change. In the end it will improve health outcomes for our patients. However, before we can achieve any of these improvements the real impact will be on each one of us — the users. We must recognize that accomplishing this cultural and behavioral change will affect all of us first, and then it will provide the positive clinical results. It may be difficult for us right now, but in a few months after implementing your complete HIT system you’ll wonder how you practiced medicine without it.

Schedule
A project of this magnitude will require a tremendous amount of planning and preparation. We will create a realistic implementation schedule and do everything we can to stick to it. Everything in life is in a state of change — this project is no different. We will be open to modifying the schedule as needed, but we won’t let excuses get in the way of our plans. Everyone is always busy. Staying on schedule is more about making the HIT implementation a priority. Make it a priority in your life and you’ll have less problems.

Challenges
Numerous expectations exist around the benefits of HIT implementations. One clear expectation is that every HIT implementation has unique challenges. However, thousands of organizations have faced these challenges and successfully implemented an HIT system despite the challenges. There’s no reason we can’t overcome our own unique challenges as well.

Timing
Certainly there are some times that are better than others for implementing HIT. However, we have made the decision to implement and can’t dwell on the timing, but instead focus on ways we’ll overcome whatever challenges happen because of timing. This reminds me of a common phrase said about marriage, “Before marriage keep both eyes open. After marriage keep both eyes closed.” Apply the same conviction to your HIT implementation and you’ll be amazed by the results.

Acceptance
Each CHC is unique, but don’t be surprised if some of your most ardent opponents turn out to be some of your strongest users down the road. The people complaining about the HIT implementation are probably the same people that are complaining about finding paper charts and illegible charting. HIT does amazing things to solve these problems. Focus on the positive benefits and it’s very likely that you’ll have more acceptance than you’d have ever expected.

Summary
We too often focus on the challenges of an HIT implementation and ignore the reasons why an HIT implementation will succeed. I guess my point is that the glass is half full if you want it to be.