All At Once   

NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART

This is a popular approach, but we recommend using an implementation and deployment consultant if this is your strategy. If you haven't already decided on an approach, read the Phased Approach pages. This approach is discussed in our book, Successfully Choosing Your EMR: 15 Crucial Decisions (by Arthur Gasch and Betty Gasch) Wiley publishing, 2010. It is available from Amazon.com. A full Glossary is also included in the EHR Selector, found at the MSP EHR Selector website.

CPM INTEGRATION

Many EHRs today come with integrated or interfaced computerized practice management (CPM) systems. However, many practices already have a CPM and may not wish to replace it at the same time they deploy and EHR. There is a novel solution for this issue, that has been introduced by Med-Inception, called the Triad Data Linker. See the www.medinception.com website for more information on this cost-effective solution.

If your EHR has a CPM, make sure that BOTH of these were written by the same company, using the same, integrated database, using the same language platform and a common, integrated code set. Such criteria are covered in the MSP EHR Selector that you can subscribe to.

WHO DECIDES WHAT YOU NEED?

It's a key question that has a very simple answer. You Do! The practitioner will have to live with the EHR with all its impact on office workflow. Don't be railroaded by your CIO, or your Regional Extension Center, or your favorite EHR developer. Take your time. The EHR failure rate is still high. After one year, 25% of EHRs are gathering dust in the corner or closet. Over 65 percent still being used don't live up to the expectations of their purchasers. Ask your staff and get them involved. They will have to use it also.

Read the book, Successfully Choosing Your EMR: 15 Crucial Decisions, endorsed by Newt Gingrich, Rep. Rush Holt, Dr. Richard Dick (former chair of the IOM CPR committee) and others. It's available from Amazon.com.

Last Updated 7/2011

A CHECK LIST TO AVOID A "BIG BANG"

If you have gotten this far, and are still bent on doing it all at once, this would be a good time to register and browse a more in-depth discussion of the keys to safety in handing the nuclear implementation approach. Register now.