Electronic Medical Records Implementation

Electronic Medical Records Implementation

HCA210

September 29th, 2013

Diana Denny

Electronic Medical Records Implementation

Many areas of interest, debate and problems surround the implementation of electronic medical records.  Within the article “Electronic Medical Records: A Path Forward”, by Bernd & Fine, 2011, they thoroughly describe the history, need, required implementation strategies, roadblocks, and complicating factors of an electronic medical record (EMR).  One of the first points is that our current health system in the United States cannot be sustained, particularly because of  rising healthcare costs.  Because of this our government has developed and implemented “meaningful use” as a way of tracking progress toward financial incentives for EMR implementation.  Whether in the midst of an already live EMR or still in the early planning stages the article outlines the need for a sound infrastructure.  This infrastructure incorporates a mission summarizing why an organization exists and a vision for identifying top priorities of the corporation.  The article continues on to describe successful implementation key points such as the need for strategic planning and execution, the need for change and effective leadership though physician champions.  Upon the go live date for an EMR the hard work has just begun, the need to identify weak processes and patient report information is critical for ongoing improvements.

        As we dig further into the problems of the United States healthcare system we are noticing more of a need for electronic medical records.  Unfortunately many organizations do not realize the hurdles of successful EMR implementation including “significant cost, the competency needed to implement, the political environment, organization infrastructure and culture, and how organization leaders understand return on investment” (Bernd & Fine, 2011).  To overcome these hurdles corporations must adapt to change while also identifying physician champions otherwise they may not be successful.  Furthermore, one of the largest issues is the advancement of “meaningful use” with EMR technology, it is not enough to keep data in a file, and something must be done with it to further promote patient care and wellbeing.