Successfully Transitioning From Paper Documentation to Focused EHR
An EHR such as Focused Software is not for every provider. Successful implementation of any electronic healthcare record system requires more than just the acquisition of software. It demands a disciplined visionary management team with clear goals, and the resilience to manage their staff through significant change. With that in mind, a little planning can go a LONG way toward ensuring success.
Creating a Focused management team is the first step to realizing the goal of automating documentation processes. That requires commitment and buy-in from all impacted member’s of your team. Include managers in the demonstration and discuss how implementing an EHR will improve business processes, increase efficiencies in daily workflows and bring value to the company. Be sure to address any hesitancy or resistance head-on; explore any barriers or strongholds (if it’s not broken, don’t fix it – it’s the way we’ve always done things – the staff or Host Home providers aren’t computer-literate, etc.). Brainstorm with team members to resolve misperceptions in order to empower them to be part of solutions! Designate a “Focused” Team – leaders who will act as champions and Subject Matter Experts. Ensure that they share the vision and don’t forget to ask your Focused EHR rep to be a part of your team – we have lots of experience rolling the system out!
Create a three-pronged plan to communicate, train, and implement your new way of doing business to your staff and contractors.
Once your plans are in place, it’s time to take action! Stay alert – be aware of any grumblings or rumblings in order to intervene. Be open to last-minute adjustments and course-corrections. Identify channels for both formal and informal communication, keep those User Guides handy, and stay in contact with your Focused Software team for support. The Focused Software team makes set-up and implementation easier for you with our simple, illustrated User Guides, change management counseling, implementation tools and industry-best 24/7 customer service. You and your team bring the commitment and clinical skills!
The average amount of time it takes companies who use the system daily to grow accustomed to the intuitive Focused EHR interphase is 3 days. Full company-wide implementation can take as little as one month.
Last, but not least: COMMUNICATE SOME MORE! Provide implementation updates, tweak processes and celebrate incremental successes! You CAN do this!