Navigating EMR System Compatibility and Timelines
One critical aspect is the integration with EMR systems. The compatibility of data flow with existing EMR systems is a key consideration. Each EMR system used by medical practices follows a different approach, falling into two major types:
- Self-hosted on the premises of the medical practice.
- Hosted and maintained on servers of the EMR vendor.
Timelines for integrations with EMR systems depend on the hosting type. For self-hosted EMR systems, integration time can be very quick, typically ranging from 1 to 2 months. When the EMR system is hosted by the vendor, the total integration time can extend anywhere between 4 to 12 months.
Winning Medical Staff Resilience in Patient Information Digitalization
The main challenges associated with implementing a new solution/software in medical facilities include onboarding difficulties that affect multiple layers:
- Learning curve and necessary training.
- New extra duties for personnel.
- Impact on already established working processes. Sometimes, it is significant enough to redefine SOPs.
Due to these challenges, medical personnel may resist the implementation of new solutions—previous negative experiences with attempts to implement something new play a crucial role. The fear stems not only from disappointment in the new solution but also from the staff's inability to use it correctly. That leads to patients not receiving the anticipated benefits.
There is a notable concern that everyone will spend time learning the new system. In the end, the system does not work as expected or fails to achieve compatibility with the practice's EMR after a few months of use. This directly impacts the decision-maker's willingness to try another new system.
Managing Staff Learning Curve: Addressing Hurdles in System Implementation
Staff education is a significant hurdle. The major disadvantage is motivating and engaging staff to succeed in a long learning and implementing process. Often, understaffed practices add a new chunk of work to the daily duties. Learning new interfaces and understanding dependencies and co-dependencies with the existing stack.
The new system has increased the workload for existing staff. Now they have to act as onboarding specialists, explaining and teaching patients how to use the system. This has prolonged processes, as mistakes and misunderstandings cause back-and-forth communication. Clinical staff are also required to sell the new system to patients. They explain its benefits and reasons for implementation. This dual role and increased patient interaction may lead to challenges in communication and overall satisfaction.
To address this, it's crucial to provide comprehensive training. Very important to develop clear patient education materials, seek feedback, and promote a positive organizational culture.
Patient Onboarding Challenges in System Implementation
Additionally, existing staff find themselves playing the role of onboarding specialists, explaining and teaching patients how the new system should be used. This increases interaction with patients, prolongs processes due to back-and-forth caused by mistakes, and adds to the workload of clinical staff, who need to sell the new system to patients, explaining its benefits and reasons for its implementation. These factors collectively contribute to backlog and overwhelm during the implementation phase.
Conclusion
Recognizing staff resilience's pivotal role in patient information digitalization, successful implementation goes beyond technical aspects. Addressing the learning curve and onboarding challenges requires a comprehensive approach to staff education, patient onboarding, and adapting workflows. Clear training, patient education materials, feedback, and a positive organizational culture help practices overcome resistance and ensure efficient assimilation of new systems.
Concerns about staff as onboarding specialists underscore the need to manage increased workloads and communication challenges. Emphasizing continuous communication and support is crucial during implementation, mitigating fears from past experiences and building confidence in the new system's success.