Stages of EHR Implementation: All You Need to Know

EHR integration is one of the key IT infrastructure priorities in healthcare, and failures during this process can be devastating to the overall medical practice’s performance. For one thing, the absence of electronic medical records slows down the administrative performance of the healthcare provider. For another, it prevents doctors from getting holistic information on patients’ health conditions, past treatments, and diseases to prevent medication misuse and erroneous interventions. Implementation of robust electronic health/medical records can help to avoid this negative experience. But how to do it the smart way by fitting in the budget and achieving the desired result on time?

In this article, we will guide you through the EHR system implementation journey and share some best practices that will help you ensure EHR/EMR software development and deployment success.

Like any technology adoption, implementing an EHR system is a complex, multi-step process that requires a lot of preparatory work like creating the project plan, analyzing current organizational structure and processes, setting project milestones, choosing the integration method, and so on. The research findings demonstrate that EMR software implementation and the adoption failure rate can reach up to 50% due to technical, organizational, or financial barriers along with ineffective strategy. The major EHR implementation challenges are displayed below.

Previously, electronic medical records were used to help doctors access patient data. Modern EHR/EMR systems go way beyond that. They streamline doctor-patient interactions, improve patient care, and provide secure, reliable, and accessible patient medical records storage available for any healthcare provider, and ensures patient check-in automated process. Therefore, if done right, implementing EHR will be beneficial for both patients and doctors.

EHR systems vary in their complexity drastically, ranging from simple electronic data sharing tools to complex platforms for cross-functional alignment. That’s why it should be noted that various EHR and EMR software solutions will have different implementation life cycles.

The researchers state that typically an implementation of EHR takes 16 to 24 months from the decision-making moment till the system roll-out. However, accelerated EHR implementations can take from 6 to 12 months depending on the project scope.According to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), there are 7 stages of EHR complexity, which are displayed below.

Figuring out how much time and resources it will take to implement EHR technology is not a trivial task, and a wide range of the system’s capabilities and types of software makes it even more challenging. The question is, how to get it done successfully? Our advice would be to create a well-thought-out project roadmap with specific milestones, goals, and time estimates.

If you would like to get a more specific project estimate for your particular case, the best thing to do is to consult a team of experts. They will help you with setting realistic estimates of the desired system functionality regarding the timeframe and budget, which will not only save you from unexpected spending, but also will give a clear understanding of the process and what will be required along the way.

To make sure that EHR/EMR implementation duration is optimal for your specific case, it is crucial to follow a well-thought-out implementation strategy. The question is, what do you need to know when planning EHR system implementation to make sure the process will bring you to the desired results within a certain time without breaking the bank? Well, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive 11-step guide that describes all the necessary stages of EHR implementation. Let’s go through them together.

Step 1. Conduct business analysis and set clear goals for EHR implementation

While business research might seem to be not quite connected with software implementation, we assure you EMR and EHR implementation success is heavily dependent on it. By taking a close look at current workflows and identifying data management or operational inefficiencies, healthcare organizations are able to plan the EHR software functionalities that would be most beneficial for a particular practice’s needs.

Step 2. Choose a reliable software development vendor and build your project team

An effective software vendor selection serves as a prerequisite to implementing an EMR system successfully. That is why it is vital to partner up with a trusted software development company that is able to dig deep into your business needs and provide you with software designed to solve your core operational problems.

A list of specific requirements or vendor evaluation matrix might come in handy at this stage. Some of the most common selection criteria are listed below.

Once your EHR implementation partner is selected, it’s time to specify the team roles and responsibilities of the parties. A close synergy between your staff and the vendor’s experts along with clearly defined roles is what makes a strong team. Usually, the EHR implementation team consists of the following members:

Project Manager, who is responsible for establishing proper communication channels between your team and the EHR vendor. It may be your in-house expert or a specialist from a software vendor’s side.
A physician champion and a team or medical assistant and nurse advocates, who are responsible for aligning business and IT needs.
Business Analyst who takes care of identifying and specifying key requirements for the software based on one’s industry expertise. This role is commonly played by the company’s CEO, COO, tech executive, or dedicated in-house business analysts.
Early system adopters who test out the system’s usability and define bottlenecks in user experience.
Software developers who oversee the process of building the custom software and adding all the necessary features. Depending on the project scope, either one or several developers may work on the project.
QA test engineer who checks the system’s performance before the software roll-out.
Data migration specialist who ensures a smooth transition between the legacy system and the new one.

Even though the roles listed above are the most common for a fully operational EHR implementation team, the projects having a large scope might require some additional members. Depending on a specific business need, organizations might also assign someone responsible for workflow redesign, billing process optimization, appointment scheduling and registration, and others.

Step 3. Create an EMR implementation plan

Implementation milestones, software development plan, the roadmap for EHR implementation – this stage might have different names, but all of them describe the same purpose: understanding how your perfect EHR/EMR system should look like.

At this point, it is crucial to identify success criteria for your project, plan the features set for your future software, agree on implementation costs, and set project deadlines together with a vendor. Also, it is high time to research government regulations and compliance standards, such as CCHIT and ONC-ATCB certification if the system is intended for use within the US, and review the ones of other countries in which the future EHR will be used.

Another thing to consider at this stage is the rollout method. For large-scale deployment, it might be a good idea to break down your software deployment process into several stages. You might also consider rolling out an MVP first. It is best to discuss all these aspects with your software development vendor who will help you out to opt for the best option in your specific case.

Step 4. Develop a communication strategy for optimized vendor relationships

A successful alignment between the key project stakeholders is one of the main factors for software’s timely deployment and implementation success. That is why you need to make sure a specific communication strategy is created and agreed upon with the entire team. The frequency of regular meetings, software development progress reports, communication channels – all these aspects should be discussed beforehand and controlled strictly throughout the project.

Step 5. Pay attention to the layout and UX design

Designing a user-friendly and intuitive layout should be one of the key priorities when implementing an EHR system. If done right, UI/UX design can improve both medical practitioners’ and patients’ experiences significantly. And since the positive user experiences with a new EHR/EMR system leads to betters business outcomes, don’t underestimate the importance of the user interface design.

Also, pay close attention to adaptive design best practices: believe it or not, the entire nature of the doctor-patient relationship and communication changes by introducing tablets, mobile-based solutions, and IoT devices.

Step 6. Get your IT infrastructure ready

Preparing your existing IT infrastructure for new software implementation is one of the most critical steps in the EHR implementation plan and it requires a thorough analysis of the existing technology landscape. Whether you get the proper hardware for your EHR system or deploy a cloud-based solution, make sure data interoperability will not be affected by the changes in your IT landscape. Otherwise, your overall operational efficiency might be at stake.

Step 7. Prepare to data migration

Transferring the old electronic health records to the new system is another important step. Data migration checklists prepared beforehand can be very useful. They will help you identify the scope of data that needs to be transferred, the sets of data that need to be excluded or deleted, and data conversions or transformations that must be done.

Also, don’t neglect to run several test scenarios with a set of users and compare the results with the same scenarios after the migration. It will ensure that the old data is intact and functioning properly.

Step 8. Perform system testing

Software testing might be a mundane and time-consuming stage, but it is crucial for EHR software success. At this step, dedicated QA specialists will run the system tests to identify and fix software bugs and make your EHR solution more reliable and easier to use. Your role at this point is to monitor the process and ensure the services are delivered to you on time.

Step 9. Streamline user adoption with training sessions

To accelerate user adoption successfully, basic and advanced user training should be performed before a new EHR software goes live. It will make them feel more prepared for the change and even anticipate the new way of working. At this point, there’s no need to show them all the nooks and crannies of the new technology solution. Demonstrating basic and necessary functionality will be enough, and you will be able to catch up on the rest of it later on.

No training can be successful without a skillful trainer. Therefore, picking up someone from the team who can “sell” the idea of using new software is vital. The best thing to do is to pick someone from the project team since those who have been involved in the entire EHR implementation process make the most insightful and inspiring teachers.

Step 10. Always have the contingency plan in place

Of course, it is expected that the software you implemented is flawless and runs smoothly at all times. Nonetheless, even the most robust software solutions have a certain level of malfunction risk. Embracing this fact and being ready with a backup plan in case it happens may help you avoid chaos and diminish negative effects instantly. That is why it is crucial to create a well-thought-out contingency plan and stick to it.

Step 11. Collect feedback for further software improvements

Last but not the least, encourage your users to think of the ways the EHR system can run more efficiently. Finding navigation shortcuts, improving or adding some features, and perfecting the system’s UI/UX will be highly beneficial for user experience and bring better ROI in the long run. It’s also a good idea to keep in touch with your EHR vendor so you could upgrade the system from time to time and make it more efficient.

There are quite a few barriers to implementing such complex systems. Here are some tips to make the transition to a new EHR system successful.

The right partner is the key. Make sure you select a reliable software implementation vendor who understands your business needs well.
Listen to your team, and not only decision-makers. Keeping the future system users engaged in the EHR or EMR implementation process may lead to gaining some valuable insights that would allow for designing a more efficient EHR solution.
Don’t underestimate change management efforts. Winning the hearts of users who are reluctant to change might be harder than expected. That is why having a set of adoption strategies in place for your users is by far not less important than a software deployment itself.
Remember that automation and optimization are not the same. A critical evaluation of organizational workflows will be required to tackle user experience challenges and design a new EHR software layout accordingly.

The cost of implementing an EHR system

The cost of implementing an electronic health record system may range from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on various factors. It depends on the deployment method, EHR implementation strategies, the hardware and software choices, the scale of the system, the cost of support, user training, and many others.

Some of those components would be rather pricy, but quite recommended since neglecting them may cost you more in the long run in terms of efficiency or post-deployment costs. To learn more about the cost of implementing an electronic health record system, visit our article on EHR cost breakdown.

Implementing an EHR system in a hospital or any other healthcare institution is a serious decision that will take a lot of time, money, and work to implement. However, it’s all worth the benefits of using this system for both doctors, administrators, and patients. EHR/EMR technology allows clinics and other healthcare institutions to be on the front line of the digital transformation ready to adopt other innovative solutions. That’s why a growing number of healthcare providers are interested in the secrets to successful EHR implementation.

While this article gives you pointers on what to pay attention to at the consideration stage, you need an expert tech vendor to guide you through the whole process with facts and figures that are important and correct to your particular case. This is what we are here for. When you choose the Empeek team for developing and implementing an EHR/EMR solution into your practice, expect a professional, research-based approach at every step. We have years of experience and cases of EHR implementation and related medical IT services, and we are dedicated to making a solution that will benefit your practice and set you apart and above the competition. Contact our experts today and let’s talk about the big change for your business!

What do I need to consider before EHR system implementation?

The first thing you need to know is the reason why you need to implement a new EHR (inefficiency in the legacy system, absence of any, administrators’ complaints, etc.) Then, you should set the goals that the EHR implementation is aimed to achieve. Plus, you need to integrate it into your business strategy for the next 5 years to see what you plan to adopt further. Finally, you have to estimate how fast you want it to be done and for how much.

Who should have access to the EMR system?

Access to the medical EHR should follow the legal requirements regarding privacy and security. Usually, it’s the designated workers of the healthcare facility and patients, particularly if it’s used for telehealth. The access of the third parties, including insurance companies and business associates, is governed by state or federal laws.

What to consider when choosing a tech vendor?

You need to consider their experience with similar projects, their client reviews, tech stack, the niche they work in, and their approach to medical software development. We highly recommend you request a consultation regarding your project prior to hiring a team, as it’s the easiest and cheapest way to see if the chosen vendor will deliver you the needed software.