How to Prepare Your Medical Practice for a New EHR

The real fun of choosing a new EHR begins in the months and weeks before implementation. Thankfully, there are several action items that aid you and your staff in preparing for the new system to go live.

Create an Implementation Team

Switching to a new EHR is a big endeavor, which means you are going to need a few champions in house. Choose decision-makers and staff who are tech-savvy and understand the overall goals behind your EHR switch.

Training and Support

Your team members are going to need training before your go-live date to ensure a smooth transition. However, training should not stop there. Talk to your EHR vendor success coach to set up ongoing training and support sessions for your staff.

Data Migration

You want the switch to your new EHR to be as seamless as possible. This means you will need to move all legacy charts, paper included, to your new system. Talk to your vendor to determine how much time and staff will be required for the migration. Be sure to prepare your staff by planning ahead and discussing workflows before the migration to the new EHR begins. This assures your staff will only have to focus on one system at a time.

By working closely with your EHR vendor success coach, you can create a plan for your file migration that will keep your office moving and productive during the switch-over process.

Coach Your Patients

Your patients may be used to your old EHR system regarding appointment reminders, calls, or text messages. Let them know about any new features and how communication and care reminders will change after the go-live date. By letting your patient know what to expect, they will be more understanding and considerate while your staff are getting acclimated to using the new EHR.

The idea of changing EHR systems may feel overwhelming, but a little planning can go a long way. By mapping out your key goals before selection and devising a plan prior to implementation, you can drastically decrease the stress that often comes with this big change.

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Watch this free webinar to learn more about what's involved in switching your medical software and how to make sure it's a smooth and successful process.