Is your Practice Ready for EHR Implementation?
Electronic health records (EHR) are the wave of the future. Many practices have already implemented this type of system, while plenty of others continue to assess their situation and readiness to move forward.
These questions can help you determine if now is the best time to implement an EHR system:
- Do you have a specific set of requirements you are trying to meet?
- Are administrative processes organized and well documented?
- What problems have you faced in the past that electronic health records can fix?
- Are there particular wants and needs that should be addressed by the technology?
- Are staff members capable of learning new technology?
Once you answer these questions, you are one step closer to implementing an EHR system. From there, you can continue to drill down by answering questions about the future:
- How will things change for the provider?
- How will things change for the patient?
- How will things change for the staff?
In short, you want to ensure that everybody associated with the system is in position to benefit.
Final note: set goals associated with EHR implementation. These should be specific, measurable, and above all else, attainable. It is these goals that will help you move forward in the appropriate manner, while ensuring that you are on the right track.
No two practices are the same, but if you have been considering the benefits of electronic health records, now may be the time to fall in line with many before you.