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