Implementing an electronic health record (EHR) strategy for a medical organization has the potential, and capacity, to transform the enterprise. However, simply purchasing and installing an EHR is not enough to improve quality of care or enhance patient experiences. Leveraging advanced technology to full advantage requires extensive training, and for many providers, the learning curve is steep.
Training physicians how to access, organize and share data is critical for successful implementation. Here are a few tips to ensure teaching programs cover all the basics and empower physicians and their teams to exploit key features of their organizations EHR.
Sharability and Compliance
One of the key benefits of using standard EHR features is the ability to access and share data in real-time with network-connected stakeholders. This feature empowers physicians to review test results and consult specialists throughout the patient encounter. However, information sharing must be tightly controlled within the confines of the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996 to protect patient privacy. To ensure providers utilize system resources wisely, teach them to verify intended information recipients are properly vetted. Generally, HIPPA allows hospitals to share patient records with internal team members, external medical providers/consultants, insurance companies, and affiliate vendors with need-to-know relationships that facilitate billing, research or financial activities necessary in the care delivery cycle. Identify Technology Knowledge Gaps Adoption hesitancy may stem from knowledge gaps. Physicians who have implemented practice EHR may not need extensive training to use system features; however those who are most familiar with based-based records may lack the necessary basic computer skills to properly utilize hospital bedside technology carts, kiosks, desktops and other health technologies to document in-patient encounters. Designing tech training policies for new physicians, and providing professional development programs for providers who have not converted to digital record systems, is critical for continuity of care and organization-wide efficiency. Designate training personnel to make sure all physicians know how to use scanning equipment, update patient records, attach files to hospital charts, initiate admissions and discharge orders and order tests. Adequate training starts with identifying knowledge gaps and continues throughout the provider-facility relationship as new federal mandates are rolled out, technology is added or replaced and internal polices and procedures evolve. Intentionally Train for Success Training programs can be overwhelming. While comprehensive training programs empower physicians to fully leverage technology, over-training can frustrate and confuse staff physicians. Make sure EHR teaching curriculum is designed to inform and educate without providing unnecessary minutia. Too much information will slow down learning and full adoption. It is important to make sure every physician has the …show more content…
A joint study conducted by Weill Cornell Medical College and the Primary Care Information Project (PCIP) of the New York City Health Department revealed technical support is crucial for helping physicians demonstrate significant improvements in key quality measures. In fact, researchers found that without substantial technical support providers showed virtually zero improvement two years after implementing a practice EHR. The same study showed physicians achieved measurable improvement after nine months with high-intensity training. Assigning technology mentors to incoming physicians and giving all staff physicians contact information to access technical support from the facility EHR vendor or an in-house IT training team when a problem arises will reduce frustration and bolster
Training physicians how to access, organize and share data is critical for successful implementation. Here are a few tips to ensure teaching programs cover all the basics and empower physicians and their teams to exploit key features of their organizations EHR.
Sharability and Compliance
One of the key benefits of using standard EHR features is the ability to access and share data in real-time with network-connected stakeholders. This feature empowers physicians to review test results and consult specialists throughout the patient encounter. However, information sharing must be tightly controlled within the confines of the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996 to protect patient privacy. To ensure providers utilize system resources wisely, teach them to verify intended information recipients are properly vetted. Generally, HIPPA allows hospitals to share patient records with internal team members, external medical providers/consultants, insurance companies, and affiliate vendors with need-to-know relationships that facilitate billing, research or financial activities necessary in the care delivery cycle. Identify Technology Knowledge Gaps Adoption hesitancy may stem from knowledge gaps. Physicians who have implemented practice EHR may not need extensive training to use system features; however those who are most familiar with based-based records may lack the necessary basic computer skills to properly utilize hospital bedside technology carts, kiosks, desktops and other health technologies to document in-patient encounters. Designing tech training policies for new physicians, and providing professional development programs for providers who have not converted to digital record systems, is critical for continuity of care and organization-wide efficiency. Designate training personnel to make sure all physicians know how to use scanning equipment, update patient records, attach files to hospital charts, initiate admissions and discharge orders and order tests. Adequate training starts with identifying knowledge gaps and continues throughout the provider-facility relationship as new federal mandates are rolled out, technology is added or replaced and internal polices and procedures evolve. Intentionally Train for Success Training programs can be overwhelming. While comprehensive training programs empower physicians to fully leverage technology, over-training can frustrate and confuse staff physicians. Make sure EHR teaching curriculum is designed to inform and educate without providing unnecessary minutia. Too much information will slow down learning and full adoption. It is important to make sure every physician has the …show more content…
A joint study conducted by Weill Cornell Medical College and the Primary Care Information Project (PCIP) of the New York City Health Department revealed technical support is crucial for helping physicians demonstrate significant improvements in key quality measures. In fact, researchers found that without substantial technical support providers showed virtually zero improvement two years after implementing a practice EHR. The same study showed physicians achieved measurable improvement after nine months with high-intensity training. Assigning technology mentors to incoming physicians and giving all staff physicians contact information to access technical support from the facility EHR vendor or an in-house IT training team when a problem arises will reduce frustration and bolster