Electronic Health Records For Dummies

Creating a realistic timeline

Knowing how you will roll out your new EHR is just as critical as knowing how you’re going to pay for it. Like wedding planning (this is like a marriage, remember?), you need to have a master to-do list and a timeframe for executing the major steps leading to and following the day you start using your EHR (your go-live date).

State and federal milestones affect your ability to earn EHR incentives. Be sure you set up your EHR timeline to meet those important goals. See Chapter 5 for detailed information about incentive programs.

Start your timeline by considering what elements of your to-do list are time dependent. Think about how long each part of the process will take and plan for it. Generally, you should expect the following timeframes:

6–9 months prior to go-live: This initial phase of EHR investigation is when you assess your needs, create an EHR wish list, research vendors, get employees on board, make a final vendor selection, and set training and go-live dates.

5–6 months prior to go-live: The excitement builds as you name an EHR implementation team, identify needs based on an assessment of your practice, choose your vendor, and begin the cost-benefit analysis process, which you read about in Chapter 5.

3–4 months prior to go-live: Consider this “ramp-up” time and think about EHR in terms of your available resources. Start to make decisions ...