Pre-implementation Planning and Workflow Analysis

This chapter underscores the premise that preparation is the key to success. In the world of HIT, this notion is critical. Avoiding failure when implementing an EHR is dependent on asking the right questions long before taking the first step and continually re-evaluating the answers to those questions along the way. With a focus on teamwork, and a healthy amount of enthusiasm, practices can create buy-in and ownership of the process and ensure employee satisfaction. Ultimately, it is not the limitations of technology that leads to the untimely demise of EHR installations. Instead, failure is caused by impaired office efficiency, frustrated staff, and decreased physician satisfaction resulting from not taking the proper steps to prepare along the way.