This is the second article in a series dedicated to uncovering the best practices for an EMR implementation. The information presented has been developed by the author as part of a research project.
Healthcare managers of information technology have a duty to understand what factors ensure successful implementations that are unique to clinical systems. Implementers of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems who recognize these factors will have more success in delivering usable systems. This article series will analyze the relationship between failed EMR implementations and successful EMR implementations to determine the factors that contribute to a positive outcome.
EMR systems are implemented on a small scale (Crosson et al., 2007), such as group provider or in a large setting such as a hospital system (Melvin, 2007). As such, there is opportunity for projects to range in cost from the thousands to the millions of dollars. Comparatively, the appetite for risk is more suited for the larger implementers. However, new tools and technology make it easier for the smaller providers to leverage EMR systems Smyth, 2007; Adler, 2007). Smaller providers, however, are potentially at financial risk if they do not understand the complexities of the implementation of IT and how it relates to their organizations.
Primary Questions
Healthcare managers of information technology have a duty to understand what factors ensure successful implementations that are unique to clinical systems. Implementers of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems who recognize these factors will have more success in delivering usable systems. This article series will analyze the relationship between failed EMR implementations and successful EMR implementations to determine the factors that contribute to a positive outcome.
EMR systems are implemented on a small scale (Crosson et al., 2007), such as group provider or in a large setting such as a hospital system (Melvin, 2007). As such, there is opportunity for projects to range in cost from the thousands to the millions of dollars. Comparatively, the appetite for risk is more suited for the larger implementers. However, new tools and technology make it easier for the smaller providers to leverage EMR systems Smyth, 2007; Adler, 2007). Smaller providers, however, are potentially at financial risk if they do not understand the complexities of the implementation of IT and how it relates to their organizations.
Primary Questions
The purpose of this article series is to learn; What factors determine the successful implementation of EMR systems? A second interest of this article seris is to further the body of knowledge focused on developing comprehensive best practices relating to the implementation of information systems within the healthcare environment. To help answer the above question, the following additional questions will be addressed:
1. What are Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems, their purpose and intended affect on healthcare?
2. What influences the success or failure of an EMR system implementation?
3. What information technology implementation best practices are relevant to EMR implementations?
Significance
The information we collect and analyze is critical because it recognizes the importance of properly implementing technology in a healthcare setting. This information will help identify best practices that can be used in the healthcare setting to promote the successful implementation of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems. Additionally, the concepts and best practices identified will add to the growing body of knowledge relating to information technology project management in the healthcare environment with relation to the implementation of EMR systems.
Considering that most information technology projects fail to fully realize their potential (The Standish Group, 1995), the significance of what can be learned about these weaknesses can be directly applied so failure points can be avoided in future projects. It is expected that much will be learned about the specifics of information technology project failures that will directly correlate to the healthcare setting. Additionally, it is expected that through the successful implementations of both EMR systems, as well as other clinical and non-clinical systems, substantial best practices will reveal themselves. These best practices will contribute directly to the future successful integration of technology projects into a healthcare setting.
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