5 Fundamental Strategies of a Successful Health IT Implementation

Authored by Erica Garvin. As published by HIT Consultant, October 9, 2018.

When it comes to improving performance and efficiency, the right health IT solution can only take you so far. Phillips Blue Jay Consulting’s JoAnn Lazarus explains.

From EHRs and PHM platforms to telemedicine and wearables, technology continues to change the healthcare landscape. However, when it comes down to it, what’s required to enable successful HIT implementation is pretty basic—collaboration and communication.

“All too often, new technology is implemented without involving staff in the review and selection process,” said JoAnn Lazarus, a registered nurse, and principal of Philips Blue Jay Consulting. “Lack of engagement and communication around technology updates can add challenges to clinicians’ workflow, making it harder for them to do their jobs, and it often stifles staff support for the new initiative.”
 

Regardless of the advances in tech, this is an age-old problem that Lazarus has seen for a long time, having worked in the healthcare industry for more than 40 years. Before becoming a consultant, Lazarus was a nurse and a former president of the Emergency Nurses Association. Today, she works with staff nurses, ED teams, and hospital leadership to increase communication and engagement around technology implementation, with the aim of improving long-term performance and staff and patient satisfaction.When it comes to technology, the application is everything. That’s why talking with staff about how a specific technology will integrate into workflows is fundamental. Similarly, communicating with staff why following proper protocols is essential.

“When people don’t understand the reasoning behind certain processes and are just carrying out a task for the sake of completing it, collaboration can be compromised, and patient care can be negatively impacted. It’s important that department leaders explain the purpose behind processes from the get-go, so everyone can collaborate and work together effectively,” said Lazarus.

Aside from those approaches, Lazarus shared with us some of the fundamental strategies she helps her clients establish when it comes to successful health IT implementation: Read more

Read the full article at 5 Fundamental Strategies of A Successful Health IT Implementation