Guide to the Electronic Medical Practice

Electronic health records (EHRs) should not simply be viewed as a means for achieving better efficiency but rather, as a means of improving the delivery of coordinated quality healthcare, promoting preventive care and avoiding errors. Written by physicians, nurses, and IT professionals, this book brings a hands-on perspective to the challenges and solutions of implementing the EHR in the medical practice. The book covers the political, societal and economic drivers for EHR implementation, costs and benefits of EHRs, stakeholder input and support and barriers to implementation and how to address them. The book also outlines the ten phases of implementation: *Achieving buy-in *Analyzing business and technology needs *Implementing design and project planning phases *Managing change *Selecting and procuring an EHR *Installing and setting up an EHR *Training *Piloting and "go live"(TM) *Maintaining and supporting an EHR *Managing post-implementation strategies and enhancements The book includes detailed descriptions of factors that drive both success and failure. Four case studies help illustrate how different practices have approached some of the more challenging issues with EHR implementation. The book also includes a suggested list for further reading about change management.