10 Things Which Do Not Change With EHR Implementation

EHR or Electronic Health Record is a credible addition to the health IT sector. The increasing number of afflictions and patients required the implementation of information technology for storing and maintaining patient data. On one hand, we look at a future in which medical data is completely integrated with the IT domain and on the other we are at risk of exposing valuable medical data of individuals to the nascent threats of IT world.

EHR Implementation

EHR implementation is not anyone’s cup of tea to be executed without any major complications. The various issues which arise in the internal and external environments of the medical organization such as in compliance of employees and improper data acquisition from patients are massive setbacks in EHR implementation. Primary adoption of EHR model on the part of physicians is also another concern. Improper implementation of EHR models can result in user dissatisfaction and haphazard patient and physician workflow integration.

Successful EHR implementation, on the other hand, invites better consequences by facilitating ample opportunities to capitalize on available resources. The broad database generated from EHR implementation makes healthcare a cakewalk for physicians. Furthermore, it also offers tools for preparing against imminent maladies.

Some of the entities tend to remain constant despite EHR implementation.

Let us discuss some of the facets of EHR implementation to achieve a lucid impression of such elements.

1. Workflow support maintains a formidable stance during and after EHR implementation. The EHR platform aids in core workflows. However, the various scenarios in which EHR is implemented describe a consistent workflow behavior.
2. Interactions between patients and physicians do not get hampered by improvised healthcare facilities accompanying EHR implementation.
3. The proportion of difficulty on the part of physicians remains undisturbed owing to the complexity of EHR.
4. The costs associated with healthcare do not wane on EHR implementation.
5. Training sessions can be considered as a constant even after a successful EHR implementation. Physicians and concerned support staff have to be motivated consistently regarding the use of EHR systems and features. Removal of training sessions from the organization’s schedule could put the organization at risk of losing patient data or incidents of misappropriation.
6. Even the most sophisticated EHR technologies cannot assure privacy to patients. This can be considered as another constant after EHR implementation since any system would require the acquisition of data from patients and this data can be accessed by many others. This puts the patient’s privacy in jeopardy despite no malicious intent on the part of the operators.
7. The organization does not have to revise any of its policies or operating strategies owing to EHR implementation.
8. The factors associated with the EHR implementation procedure such as planning and risk evaluation do not alter. These factors need to be planned meticulously, and adept assessment of these phases facilitates higher productivity in EHR implementation.
9. The consistent threat of security breaches does not fade away after incorporating an EHR system.
10. Last but not the least, the scrutiny of individuals accessing the EHR continues after implementation to ensure data security.