A decade ago, Kaiser Permanente installed the nation’s most comprehensive electronic health record (EHR). The decision was made by the health plan and medical group together. Due to the large size of our organization, implementation was challenging and expensive: The process took two years, and the cost at the time was estimated to be around $4 billion. But there is no question that the price tag and the effort required to train and motivate physicians and staff were worth it. The information the EHR provided, combined with our data analytics and integrated medical care delivery system, has helped us save countless lives.
What Health Systems, Hospitals, and Physicians Need to Know About Implementing Electronic Health Records
A decade ago, Kaiser Permanente installed the nation’s most comprehensive Electronic Health Record (EHR). Implementation was challenging and expensive – the process took two years and the cost at the time was estimated to be around $4 billion. But it has allowed physicians to treat patients in offices, hospitals, and emergency departments more rapidly than in the past. The lessons from their success? First, the EHR must be comprehensive and work for physicians in all specialties; previous efforts failed because specialized systems didn’t talk to each other. Second, physicians must be on board with the change. This means choosing an EHR provider that genuinely makes their jobs easier in the long term, and may mean reducing schedules while everyone learns to use it. Third, to build trust, the CEO needs to be personally involved in the change effort. Finally, all non-physician staff must also be trained to use the system, and technical support should be available throughout the transition.