Http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2966355/

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Background

This article discusses the importance of including clinical workflow into the implementation of EHRs. Because EHRs can help improve patient care and outcomes by reducing medication errors, reducing costs, and providers are also required to document certain data known as “meaningful data”, it is important to adopt the use of an EHR. However, implementation of EHRs remains slow to adopt and some hindrances include fear of change, loss of confidentiality, cost, and disruption in workflow. [1]


Methods

The authors recommend having the following elements in order to successfully integrate the implementation of an EHR, capture meaningful use, and do this with little disruption to clinical workflow:

  • ERH champion
  • Leadership and change management
  • Training, Integration of other technologies: PDAs, voice recognition software, data upload software
  • Workflow assessment and evaluation
  • Workflow redesign


Results

The article discusses how implementation of an EMR for data collection for meaningful use can disruption workflow, it is necessary. They discuss elements required to make the adoption of an EHR as easy and with little disruption to existing workflow.


Comments

I agree with the author’s recommendations of the needs to successfully implement an EHR with little disruption. However, I do wish they would have given examples of a specific clinic going through the process.


References

  1. Bowens, F.M., MSM; Frye, P.A., MPH, MPS; Jones, W.A., MD. (2010). Health Information Technology: Integration of Clinical Workflow into Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2966355/