Common EHR Implementation Challenges & Benefits
You have probably had that moment where you are knee-deep in paperwork, hunting down a missing lab result from 2018 or deciphering a colleague’s shorthand that looks more like abstract art than clinical notes.
If you are still doing all the work manually, you are way behind your competitors. Large and small healthcare practices are shifting from paper-based to electronic health records. Statistics from the National Coordinator for Health IT data state that nearly 88% of office-based physicians in the U.S. have adopted EHR systems.
But what exactly is EHR, and what are the benefits of EHR implementation? In this blog, we will go through everything related to EHR, including its benefits, challenges that you might face, and some guidelines for overcoming those challenges. So, let’s start.
What is EHR in Healthcare?
As the name suggests, Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are just the digital form of a patient’s paper chart. In the past, physicians and hospitals maintained a thick file for each patient. The file contained all the medical records of a patient. EHR is based on a similar concept. It just makes the process easier.
The EHR contains the patient’s medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory test results. The system gives healthcare providers access to evidence-based tools, which in turn help them make important decisions about patient treatment.
Benefits of EHR Implementation
Now that we have a good understanding of electronic health records, let’s look at some of the benefits of EHR implementation.
Improved Quality of Care
EHR implementation dramatically improves the quality of care that you can provide to patients. They provide quick and easy access to all patient health details so physicians can make better and more informed decisions.
One way they improve the quality of care is by alerting clinicians to potential medication errors and critical lab values. For instance, according to a study, 63% of physicians reported fewer medication errors, and 75% of physicians reported that EHR systems help them provide better patient care.
Increased Efficiency
Besides helping with patient records, implementing an EHR system can help with administrative tasks. The system can handle all types of admin tasks, like appointment scheduling, patient communication, and medical billing services for small practices.
Automating these tasks reduces the chance of human error and dramatically improves the overall efficiency of your employees. The EHR system takes off a large chunk of their workload so they can focus on more important responsibilities.
Enhanced Data Accessibility
EHR systems allow authorized healthcare providers to access patient data from anywhere (with an internet connection). This is a great way to facilitate coordination between different healthcare providers.
This facility isn’t just limited to hospitals, but patients also benefit from this accessibility, as they can access their health information from anywhere.
Cost Savings
While the initial cost of EHR implementation can be significant, the long-term savings are substantial. In the long run, the amount you save by automating admin tasks is much higher than the actual cost of EHR implementation.
Common EHR Implementation Challenges
Despite the benefits, implementing an EHR system can be a little challenging. Depending on the size of your organization and the current methods you use for medical records, you can face many challenges.
Here are the four most common EHR implementation challenges faced by healthcare providers:
Resistance to Change
The first challenge you will face as a healthcare provider in EHR implementation is your employees. Healthcare staff may resist transitioning from familiar paper-based systems to digital ones.
Like every other aspect of our lives, it’s hard for people to accept change. There can be many reasons behind this resistance. However, if you think about it, all reasons might originate from 2 stems:
- Discomfort with new technology.
- Fear that during the transition period, employees will have to work more.
Data Migration Issues
Another problem, and perhaps the most difficult to overcome, is migrating all your previous data into the new EHR system.
The entire process is complex, time-consuming, and prone to human error. It is imperative to maintain a high level of accuracy. Otherwise, it can harm both your organization and the patient.
Cost Overruns
The financial investment required for EHR implementation is substantial, encompassing software costs, hardware upgrades, training, and ongoing maintenance. Unexpected expenses can arise, leading to budget overruns.
Interoperability Challenges
Another technical issue in setting up the EHR is connecting the EHR system with other systems within and outside the organization.
This process can get complex, and it is better to let professionals handle it.
Guidelines to Overcome EHR Implementation Challenges
Now that we have a good understanding of EHRs and the challenges in their implementation, let’s look at some EHR implementation steps that you can take to overcome these challenges.
Develop a Comprehensive Implementation Plan
If you want to deploy an EHR system in your organization, don’t just buy the product and jump in.
Instead, create a comprehensive execution plan outlining all the steps and their timelines. It will help you manage your resources effectively. Also, don’t try to rush the process. Set realistic timelines for each step.
Engage Stakeholders Early On
Involving all stakeholders, including physicians, nurses, administrative staff, and IT personnel, fosters a sense of ownership and reduces resistance to change from the outset.
You might not realize it at first, but even small inputs from your staff can significantly change the EHR implementation process and reduce the challenges you might have faced otherwise.
Invest in Employee Training
The best investment you can make while implementing EHR is training your employees. Because, quite frankly, what good is a system if your staff don’t know how to use it?
Providing thorough training ensures that all users are comfortable with the new system. This training doesn’t have to be a one-time thing. Instead, conduct training sessions yearly or even a couple of times yearly.
Prioritize Data Security and Interoperability
To protect patient data from any leaks or getting mixed up with other patients’ data, enforce security measures such as encryption, access controls, and regular audits.
Also, while implementing the software, make sure that the EHR is in line with the other systems of your hospital. Otherwise, it will get messy. To do this, select an EHR system that adheres to industry standards and can facilitate interoperability. Also, it is always better to outsource the entire operation to specialized healthcare RCM companies that have experience handling such tasks.
Conclusion
Implementing an EHR system in your organization can be truly transformative for your hospital. Although there are many challenges in successful EHR implementation, with careful planning and stakeholder engagement, comprehensive training can be done easily.
