PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING AN ELECTRONIC PATIENT RECORD (EPR) SYSTEM
BY AVINASH CHANDER
PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING AN ELECTRONIC PATIENT RECORD (EPR) SYSTEM
BY AVINASH CHANDER
From my 17 years of healthcare journey and involvement in about 10+ organisations transitioning to a new Electronic Patient Record Systems, here is my take on key considerations and steps on planning and implementing a New EPR system.
Thorough understanding of the existing workflows and processes is key to selecting the right product. This initial phase is critical for ensuring the new system causes positive disruption and enhances patient care. Follow -
Workflow Mapping and Analysis
Identifying Technical Requirements
Regulatory Compliance Assessment
Stakeholder Needs Analysis
This step is perhaps the most consequential decision in the entire implementation process. A methodical approach with clear criteria might help identify solution that best fits the organization’s needs. Assess –
Core Functionality Assessment
Interoperability Capabilities
Technical Evaluation
Vendor Assessment
Cost Considerations
Usability and User Experience
References and Site Visits
Success of any project depends heavily on gaining enthusiastic support from all levels of organization. Without the stakeholder buy-in, even most technological advanced projects may fail to deliver its value. Ensure –
Executive Leadership Engagement
Clinical Champion Identification
Transparent Communication Strategy
Demonstrating Patient Benefits
Data migration requires meticulous planning to ensure integrity, completeness & accessibility. It will prevent any data loss and risk of patient care errors. Baseline –
Assessing the Current Record State – both active & archived
Determining Migration Scope and Approach
Technical Considerations for Data Capture
Quality Control and Validation Processes
A robust infrastructure is essential for reliable performance, maintaining security and promising sufficient capacity for current and future needs. Invest in –
Server and Storage Architecture
Network Infrastructure
End-User Computing Devices
Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
Choosing the right implementation strategy is crucial for Electronic Patient Record projects. Organizations must carefully weigh the benefits and risks of different approaches to find the best fit for their specific circumstances.
Understanding Implementation Approaches – Big Bang or Phased
Selecting the Optimal Strategy based on factors specific to the organisation – size, complexity, availability of resources, risk tolerance, etc.
Developing a detailed implementation plan – with clear milestones
Pilot Implementation Considerations – establish specific evaluation criteria.