04-05-2011
A lot of studies have recently come out looking at productivity declines that are typical following the implementation of EMRs. Everyone expects the decrease in productivity because of the disruption in workflow. The studies also point to two key takeaways. Map out and analyze your office or department's workflow to see where inefficiencies can be squeezed and where information technology can create efficiencies. This mapping and analysis takes time to really get a handle not only on the physical processes but the cultural and historical reasons things are done the way they are in the office. Once you tease out the reasons, your office may find a process may be obsolete and be eliminated or it needs tweaking for greater efficiency.
Mapping and analysis should take place long before your office looks at any EMR systems. It should be an early task on the to-do list, and it should involve all stakeholders so no one feels left out of the major transformation that will be impacting the office. It can take place in tandem with researching EMR systems and matching EMRs to the new workflow that is being created for the office.
This is a service in which regional extension centers likely have expertise, so take advantage of your local REC to help get through this important step, especially if your office is a small practice. Once your office has re-engineered a new workflow process, then your staff can evaluate what EMR system best matches how your office works. Again, RECs will have this expertise.
Consider it cleaning house before the big changes come. With everyone on staff having a working knowledge of best practices and workflow changes, the big transformation may not be quite as disruptive, relatively speaking.
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