With your vendor conduct a thorough inventory of existing versus needed for hardware, peripherals, network components, vendor modules necessary to meet MU, and software interfaces or third-party software to bridge the EHR and existing systems (e.g. PACs) or fill in gaps in the vendor’s system for needed functionality (e.g. third-party billing clearinghouse). Go with as few interfaces as is necessary. After EHR team narrows choices for tablets, laptops, barcode scanners, computer carts, have a device fair at the hospital where vendors present. Invite all staff including physicians and take a vote on wants; consider purchasing a mix of devices to satisfy different users. Examine closely where staff will need more network drops; get the wireless network going/upgraded well before go-live. Double-check vendor specifications before making purchases, esp. on printers. |
Learn whether and how the EHR will exchange information with your local clinics and state health department. Don’t make assumptions about interoperability (e.g. between existing systems and the EHR, a vendor’s financial and clinical modules, current and next EHR version). Don’t underinvest in peripherals, devices, or network routers; be frugal but don’t skimp or performance will suffer. Examine how you are managing system/network security, especially patient access. |
| 6. Budget/Financial Resources |
Create a detailed and realistic budget for resources allocation, including human resources, to do this rapidly, and determine whether and how you’ll get those. You’ll need a permanent, full-time IT staff member. Most hire rather than contract. |
Given the significantly greater resource constraints CAHs face over larger hospitals, they must think about the strategies and tactics they’ll use to tackle the challenge, scope, time, and costs of the project. Include in the budget any additional help you’ll need from outside contractors (e.g. for selection, data cleaning, basic computer skills, module build, training/go-live support). Consider what you can afford to budget for ongoing IT costs (e.g. vendor maintenance/annual fees, costs for and timing of a upgrade, voluntary or mandatory, to the next version of the system, hardware updates). |
