Answer

Unit 3 Course Project Part 3: Barriers of EHR Implementation

            Over the past 20 years, the huge advances in information and communication technology, particularly in the health sector, is reflected by the use of health records to store the patient’s information digitally. The use of EHRs in hospital settings has proven to be effective in preventing medical errors, and hence most medical providers are turning to the use of the system to derive its benefits. This paper outlines the barriers associated with the implementation of the EHRs in hospitals.

Barriers to EHRs Implementation

Cost of Implementation

            Cost is the most significant barrier related with the EHRs implementation. McGowan, Cusack & Poon (2018) state that implementation of the EHRs is an expensive process. This is founded on the fact that the process of selecting the right technology, implementing and optimizing it takes away a significant percentage of the planned capital budget investment. Notably, the approximated price of the EHRs lies between $15,000 and $70,000 per system provider (HealthIT.gov, 2020). Generally, the process of implementation can be categorized into different components which further require funds utilization. The huge costs are associated with factors such as software charges required to ensure that the system functions effectively, the set hardware costs, implementation assistance charges and staff training expenses. Additionally, the high costs related with the EHRs implementation is related with the estimated ongoing network fees and maintenance charges (HealthIT.gov, 2020). Implementing the EHRs is also a costly consideration since it requires the organization to set aside unplanned expenses based on the fact that the implementation process may involve activities which were not previously planned hence requiring an input of funds which increases the amount of funding spent on the process. McGowan, Cusack & Poon (2018) indicate that finding the financial resources required for the implementation of the EHRs is one of the major barriers experienced by businesses planning to use the system, especially the small business ventures.

            In this case, financial process is regarded as the primary factor which is likely to inhibit the firm’s implementation strategy.

Data Privacy

            Another significant implementation challenge includes data privacy barrier. The digital world is dominated by several challenges with data privacy being the most significant one. Turning to the use of the EHRs is considered as a factor which increases the risk of private patient data loss incase hacking is experienced. The provider’s private details are also at a risk in this case. The stakeholders normally voice their concerns over the data leakage risks as a result of cyber-attacks and natural disasters (Høstgaard & Nøhr, 2017) A national policy has been imposed by the federal agency with a focus on offering protection to the confidential information of the system users as well as the personal health data. In the events of a security breach, the health care organization may be exposed to a series of litigations which may require it to spend huge funds to settle the disputes. As a result, it is considered as a fundamental responsibility of the provider to guarantee the safety of the EHRs.

            In this case, external processes (such as hacker activity) are likely to hinder the implementation of the EHRs since their input risks causing the data loss likely to be experienced by healthcare firm after the implementation of the system.

Staff Training and Resistance

            Staff training is also regarded as a fundamental barrier towards the implementation of the EHRs. Before the system is deployed, the staff should be provided with a requisite training about how to work with the system. Adler-Milstein and Jha (2017) indicate that physicians are required to spend a lot of time and put in an extra effort trying to understand how the new system functions. The process is known to be time consuming and a hassle for the management and the staff members who are required to work an extra time to understand the functionality of the new system. McGowan, Cusack & Poon (2018) outlines that the midsized and the small firms fear the loss of the business during the time whereby the members of the workforce are required to undergo through the training. Moreover, the staff members are likely to consider this as an unnecessary effort which increases the risk of staff resistance. Adler-Milstein and Jha (2017) ague that not every member of staff is open to the idea of technological implementation within the workplace. As a result, if there are staff members or health practitioners who doubt the efficacy of the electronic health records, it is likely that they may take positively the training process, thus increasing the lack of awareness about the use of the system and its benefits. The outcome is the delayed implementation of the system which is further associated with a decreased chance that the healthcare organization will derive the benefits of its usage.

            Under this barrier, it is evident that the staff members are the primary stakeholders likely to inhibit the process of implementation are the staff members. This is reflected by the fact that when the members of the workforce show their resistance against the implementation of the new process, the chances that the firm will rely on the use of the system is limited.

Strategies to Overcome the Barriers

            Different strategies can be implemented by the healthcare firm to overcome the barriers likely to be experienced by the organization to derive a positive outcome.

Establishing a Strategic Plan

            Having a detailed strategic plan in place before the implementation of the EHRs is regarded as a necessary move needed to overcome the barriers related with the system implementation. McGowan, Cusack and Poon (2018) argue that having a strategic plan in place will make it possible for the business to plan its activities before the actual stage of the implementation. As a result, it becomes simpler to assign duties and responsibilities to the stakeholders and team members to ensure that they fully understand what is required of them for a desirable outcome. The strategic plan will also make it possible to establish physician champion, and to establish a mutual space for dependence and support. The strategic plan is desirable in overcoming the challenge since it creates an environment where the management is ready to ensure that the contingency plans put in place are working effectively to guarantee a desirable outcome. The strategic plan makes it easy for the business to prepare to ensure that the EHRs is successfully implemented.

Considering the Consultants as Partners

            Ensuring that the consultants are treated as partners is also a requisite move of guaranteeing that the firm overcomes the challenges experienced which hinder the effective implementation of the EHRs. Notably, the process of system implementation acts as a collaborative process which requires that all the members of the team show their commitment towards the effective system functioning (Adler-Milstein & Jha, 2017). The members, in this case, includes IT vendors, the staff members, physicians and consultants among others. When the consultants are provided with an opportunity of acting as business partners, they will share in the process and vision of the business seeking to guarantee that the goal of the system implementation is attained. Notably, they will work together to overcome cost challenges, particularly when the vendors make the decision to offer a discount to the estimated costs related with providing the system for use. Adler-Milstein and Jha (2017) indicate that working together as partners is desirable towards overcoming the associated challenges in that the players will work together to provide the system in time, within the set budget and with an effective usability.

The use of effective Leadership

            Ensuring a strong leadership is an effective process which can assist the health care business in overcoming the hindrances related with the use of the system. With an aim of aligning the team to the effectiveness of the EHRs process of implementation, leaders are required to act proactively to guarantee the change implementation. This can include communicating to the members of the team about the benefits to be derived when it comes to the use of the EHRs. Communication is an effective skill of leadership which results to a positive outcome in the workplace. For instance, communication is a fundamental factor which can assist in overcoming the staff resistance on matters related with the system usage.

Conclusion

            Cost, staff resistance, and data privacy are some of the potential barriers associated with EHRs implementation. However, effective leadership, having a strategic plan in place prior to the implementation, and collaborating with consultants are strategies which can be considered to overcome the noted challenges.

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