Healthcare services have progressed to a paramount level in the last few years. The use of cloud technology to deliver services —including a cloud-based EHR—is increasing across a wide array of businesses, and becoming a part of the consumer experience on the Internet. In a recent Harvard Business Review article reported, “Over time the economics of building and running a technology infrastructure will favor the cloud over on-premise computing.”
What is a Cloud-Based EHR?
The word EHR stands for Electronic Healthcare Record. So a cloud-based Electronic Healthcare Record or EHR is a highly scalable, robust, flexible, intuitive, and cost-effective solution for maintaining patient health records in the cloud rather than on internal servers maintained at some medical facility.
The data mining capabilities of cloud-based EHR solutions allow IT administrators, to evaluate work processes for strengths and weaknesses and explore patient data to detect behavior patterns, possible drug interactions, and health risks dynamics.
Benefits of Cloud-Based EHR
- Saves resources and space
No servers required which means no expensive hardware, software installs, and hectic updates.
- Speedy Data Interaction
Immensely reduces the risk of lost or corrupted data and enables quicker information retrieval.
- Web-based software provides superior accessibility and collaboration
Cloud can be accessed by registered users anywhere, anytime. Stay connected with staff or patients at will.
- Simplified scalability
Expand with considerably less IT support.
- Automatic updates ease compliance
Auto-updates ensures that the organization is compliant with Federal security guidelines
- Cloud-based data is safer than paper
Practices for Cloud-Based EHR Solutions
Here are some of the best practices that your medical business needs to adapt for better cloud-based EHR solutions
Tailor EHR to fit Within Staff Requirements
It is impossible to implement this system to meet 100% of each worker’s needs. And you cannot also generically implement this and assume that everyone will adjust. Rather it is important to determine which aspects can be adjusted for individual basis, and which aspects can work on a wider spectrum.
Getting the opinions and recommendations of the staff along with their cooperation and commitment are important for the effective implementation of EHR.
Identify Employee Technical Skills and Train Them Where Necessary
This element is important for practices where existing clinical working methods are largely paper-based and computer use is minimal. It may not be as important for those already having a grip over practice management software or health technologies.
To identify each employee’s level of IT skills like computer proficiency, IT department can go for many online computer proficiency exams. Once it has identified employees need training; it will need to train them. Providing sufficient technical training can make the evolution procedure easier for employees wary of change and will ensure that all employees are ready to go when the EHR arrives.
Train Employees Subject to Their Requirement
Many practices make the mistake of training employees with all information. Every employee does not need to be experienced on the entire EHR solution. Such an approach will significantly slow down the execution of implementing an EHR and overburden the staff too.
The people who should learn the entire program are the “super users.” Training for rest of the employees should be restricted to the areas they are required to use regularly. This methodology will minimize learning time, remove confusion and get staff up to speed on the EHR more quickly.
Identify Possible Failure of EHR and How to Prevent Problems in Future
Collect input and feedback from all stakeholders to identify possible ways the EHR could fail, and use that knowledge to determine what it will take for the EHR to be successful. Remember that you are dealing with huge amounts of data. Be sure to allow for enough storage and fast enough computers to quickly access the data, but most importantly make sure you have a secure and stable internet connection
Don’t be quick on Implementation, Take Time to Train
Train for every step of the process and do several short training sessions. Starting with the basics is important. Then follow a planned-out procedure to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of the implementation.
Conduct Post-Implementation Feedback Sessions
Once an EHR has been installed, and as you start using it with patients, you will certainly experience a few hitches—whether it is any function that nurses just do not understand or a working methodology that needs to be redesigned. The only way to discover these things speedily, preventing errors from occurring and quickly resolving those too—is to ask the staff using the EHR for feedback.
Ask different departments how they are handling the changes and whether anyone has noticed areas that need improvement. Find out if there are training concepts that need to be reinforced. If you do not have time for frequent meetings, you can also send out surveys.
Use Online Resources Provided by EHR Vendor
Learning and training resources are usually made available online—all you need to access them is a username and password (provided by the EHR vendor). The most common resource provided by the vendors is a training manual. Manuals include step-by-step instructions, tutorials, for performing different actions within the EHR.
Conclusion
Implementing a new EHR system can bring a host of challenges. But by using the tips laid out in this article, your practice can eliminate many of the common mistakes and headaches most practices experience. Employing a targeted implementation and follow-up approach will ensure you get your staff up to speed and using the system efficiently in less time, allowing you to focus on what matters most: providing quality patient care.
At Citrusbits, we have successfully developed several Healthcare Apps. Our experts have an in-depth knowledge of the Healthcare industry and the HIPPA compliance. Feel free to contact our team for more information.