The Electronic Health Records (EHR) adoption rate has rapidly increased in recent years. While EHR provides many benefits, including improved patient care, streamlined operations, and increased efficiency, implementing EHR can be a complex and challenging process for healthcare providers.
ClearBridge’s EHR consultants facilitate smooth and manageable implementations and ensure successful transitions from traditional to digital storage. Here, we outline the top three challenges our consultants observe in EHR implementations. Understanding these common obstacles can help your organization effectively navigate them and unlock the power of EHR modernization.
Infrastructure Readiness
EHR implementation requires a robust IT infrastructure to support the system and meet performance and availability requirements. One of the first phases of the EHR implementation lifecycle includes a thorough assessment of the existing infrastructure to identify any gaps or deficiencies. This includes looking at an organization’s current computer systems and servers, determining network bandwidth, and confirming data storage capacity. Necessary upgrades are made to support the EHR system, and regular maintenance and updates are planned to sustain optimal EHR performance.
Without a sufficient IT infrastructure in place, issues could arise concerning integration with other systems, data migration, and connectivity. It is vital to have an IT support team prepared to address technical issues promptly and efficiently. In addition, a plan needs to be established to ensure the system remains compliant with regulations and meets the organization’s changing needs.
Security and Privacy
Another major challenge of EHR implementation is maintaining data security and patient privacy. EHRs contain sensitive information, making them a top target for cyberattacks and data breaches. To mitigate these risks, healthcare organizations must implement cybersecurity measures to protect patient data including firewalls, user authentication, encryption, access controls, audit trails, and penetration tests. Healthcare organizations must also comply with HIPAA regulations, which mandate the security and privacy of patient health information.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, 133 million medical records were exposed, stolen, or disclosed in 2023. Healthcare organizations must prioritize data security and protection methods.
Staffing
Organizations with limited in-house technical expertise may not have the capacity for a project of this scale and will struggle to effectively implement and maintain EHR systems. Utilizing outside resources who have experience with EHR complexities can ensure that systems are properly implemented, meeting an organization’s specific needs while following industry best practices. EHR resources include a broad array of services across all phases of the EHR lifecycle: system design, implementation, integration, optimization, adoption / training, and Go Live / Post Go Live Support. Take a look at our recent EHR case studies to learn more about the challenges our clients were facing and the solutions we provided.
Final Thoughts
While EHRs offer numerous benefits, overcoming major challenges such as infrastructure readiness, security and privacy, and staffing, is crucial to a successful EHR implementation. Healthcare organizations can navigate these hurdles by partnering with the right experts to seamlessly implement and maintain EHR and help them reap the benefits of enhanced patient care, streamlined operations, and workflow efficiency.
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