NLC’s EHR Implementation Lifecycle

If you have’t visited HealthIT.gov yet or recently, you are not “putting the I in health IT” as they would say. The site was created out of the ONC site to incorporate a consumer driven and resource based web site away from their policy based one. It has now expanded to incorporate information and resources for three area types of user demographics: For Providers & Professionals, For Patients & Families, For Policy Researchers & Implementers. With the help of the National Learning Consortium (NLC) the site hopes to be everyone’s first stop when it comes to electronic health records.

Here is a resource worth checking out and using if you are implementing a certified EHR. For the Providers & Professionals, the NLC has developed a EHR Implementation Lifecycle. Use this six step strategy when you are ready to adopt an EHR. Each step provides direction and resources for your total project plan.

Step 1 – Assess Your Practice Readiness: The first step in EHR implementation is to conduct an assessment of your current practice and its goals, needs, and financial and technical readiness. With an accurate view of your level of preparedness, your practice can design an implementation plan that meets the specific needs of your practice.

Step 2 – Plan Your Approach: Planning draws on the information gathered during the assessment phase, to outline the practice’s EHR implementation plan.

Step 3 – Select or Upgrade to a Certified EHR: There are a number of steps involved in choosing the right EHR system for your practice. Eligible health care professionals and eligible hospitals must use certified EHR technology in order to achieve meaningful use and qualify for incentive payments. Looking to make your current EHRs meaningful use compliant? Start here.

Step 4 – Conduct Training & Implement an EHR System: EHR implementation involves the installation of the EHR system and associated activities, such as training, mock “go-live,” and pilot testing.

Step 5 – Achieve Meaningful Use: The final phase of EHR implementation includes successfully attesting to demonstrating meaningful use of EHRs, and reassessing what you have learned from training and everyday use of the system.

Step 6 – Continue Quality Improvement: Emphasizes continuous evaluation of your practice’s goals and needs post-EHR-implementation to continue improving workflows that achieve the individual practice’s goals while leveraging the functionality of electronic health records (EHRs).