This issue brief from the California HealthCare Foundation describes the experiences and lessons learned from the implementation of electronic health records in ambulatory care settings. The authors are from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).
The report summarizes insights from ten independent medical practices and six community health organizations that received the Nicholas E. Davies Award of Excellence from HIMSS between 2004 and 2009. Despite being recognized as leaders in implementation of electronic health records, the interviewees still face significant challenges but also offer some key solutions to facilitate successful implementation. For example, one key insight is to approach EHR adoption as a clinical project that requires the engagement of the clinicians, not as an “IT project.” Applying organizational change management best practices is another helpful insight.
Ignatius Bau 