| Implementing EMR systems can be a challenge, therefore, it is important to ensure meticulous planning and ensure the following steps while implementing EMR: |
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| Prepare a Business Plan |
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| Prepare a business plan before investing in EMR technology which should be based on real savings such as reduction in costs related to retiring from redundant systems, improved workflow leading to decreased staffing. |
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| Develop a Clinical Data Repository |
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| Always start by developing a clinical data repository. You should have all historical information in order to initially populate the electronic records. |
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| Redesign Medical Care Processes |
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| Before introducing the EMR software system, you should always redesign care processes and standardize workflow. This is important in order to get the desired and expected results from the EMR system. You should focus your attention first on the workflow design. |
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| Standardize and Simplify Processes at Your Healthcare Facility |
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| It is important to avoid variations in your processes as no EMR system can support widespread variations in a practice. This is important in order to improve the efficiency of the EMR systems. |
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| Work on Building the Understanding of the Physicians |
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| Try to involve the senior physicians, nurses and other important clinical and administrative staff in your decision related to implementation of EMR. They should be involved in all the reengineering decisions that will be impacting the medical practice. It is also important to ensure that all your clinicians are well versed with the goals, advantages and limitations of implementing EMR in your medical practice. Engaging physicians and nurses completely can be a step towards succeeding with the implementation of EMR in your practice. |
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| Eliminate Legacy Systems |
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| Try to eliminate legacy paper and software systems. It can be costly to support and maintain the redundant systems. In order to recognize cost savings, you should close them down. |
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| Always Remember the Basic Computer Skills |
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| You and your team should have the basic computer skills such as logging in and logging off, using a mouse, turning on and turning off computer, saving files and folders, etc. |
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| Be Technology Savvy |
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| Ensure to adopt EMR and be adaptable to the change in processes that is going to result after EMR is set up. You should not be hesitant to interact with your patients through EMR. At times, learning these skills can be awkward but it is important to ensure adoption of the system into your practice as fast as possible. You should be extremely sensitive to the importance of training your team with respect to using EMR and focus the need of continual improvement with the implementation of EMR. |
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