Healthcare mergers and acquisitions (M&A) often bring together different electronic health record (EHR) systems, such as Epic, Oracle Health, and MEDITECH. When larger organizations extend their EHR systems to smaller hospitals and clinics, it can lead to inherited inefficiencies and complexities.
The Importance of EHR Optimization and Workflow Redesign
EHR optimization and workflow redesign are key aspects of M&A and shared-system programs. However, due diligence often overlooks the intricacies of workflows, leaving the receiving organization unaware of the challenges they are inheriting. A detailed assessment of the current state versus the future state is necessary, involving both clinical and IT stakeholders.
Clinical and IT teams must collaborate closely, with a multidisciplinary steering committee led by clinicians. This committee should oversee intake, prioritization, and enhancement backlog, ensuring that every part of the EHR that impacts patient care is considered. The patient journey should be at the center of governance, keeping the focus on cross-departmental workflows.
Preventing Workflow Stagnation in EHR Systems
Care teams often continue using outdated workflows years after an EHR system goes live. Clinicians may become accustomed to complex, multi-step processes, even as features and procedures evolve. A partner with clinical experience and EHR end-user knowledge can help drive necessary changes.
Bridging the Gap Between Clinical and IT Perspectives
ReMedi and CDW collaborate to bridge the gap between clinical and IT perspectives. ReMedi’s teams, comprising healthcare experts from both physician and IT backgrounds, lead workflow assessment and optimization sessions. This ensures that the redesigned workflows reflect the realities of care delivery.
CDW’s healthcare IT teams ensure that the technology environment supports the new workflows, from end-user devices to secure access and system availability. By combining clinical expertise with IT infrastructure, they create a seamless environment for EHR optimization.
Continuous EHR Optimization: A Long-Term Commitment
EHR optimization should begin from the start and be treated as a continuous cycle. Organizations that maintain a long-term roadmap, separating immediate and future tasks, avoid stagnation. Planning must continue as EHR vendors release new modules and enhancements, requiring ongoing decisions to adopt, defer, or decline updates. Without a structured process, these decisions are often postponed, leading to outdated workflows. A partner with clinical perspective and EHR end-user experience is invaluable for driving change.
