The electronic health record has eased medical record review and medical claims review. Here is a look at some EHR challenges and solutions.

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The Electronic Health Record –
Challenges and Solutions
The electronic health record has eased medical record
review and medical claims review. Here is a look at some
EHR challenges and solutions.
MOS Medical Record Reviews
8596 E. 101st Street, Suite H
Tulsa, OK 74133

2. www.mosmedicalrecordreview.com 918-221-7791
The electronic health record has been implemented in the vast majority of healthcare
organizations, and there have been many challenges. However, there have also been
many benefits – improved care coordination, improved patient care and patient
satisfaction. Processes such as medical peer review and chart review have become much
easier. The systems implemented are being updated periodically in keeping with new
technologies. What are the most common challenges associated with the electronic
health record?
• The cost associated with EHR implementation is rather heavy, and according to
the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, the cost of purchasing and
installing an EHR system ranges from $15,000 to $70,000 per provider. These
expenses include setting up the hardware, software, implementation assistance,
training for staff, network fees and regular maintenance.
• Your existing staff may resist the implementation mainly out of inhibition to
transition to a new system. There are providers and other clinical staff who are
sceptical about the effectiveness of electronic health records and may hesitate to
give up the documentation practices they are used to. Sometimes, the clinical
and support staff may have inhibitions about the new technologies and their
efficacy.
• Another major challenge when implementing a new EHR system is reduction in
the productivity of staff, reduced number of patients seen, and reduced workflow
efficiency. You may have to prepare to invest in additional support as well. Even
in practices that have already implemented an EHR system, the staff may
continue to use old systems or avoid using the system effectively. They may
continue to use old systems and avoid using the new systems. They may continue
to write down patient information and data instead of logging their notes into the
system. This would lead to increased work and consume more time. Moreover, if
the staffs are continuing to utilize their old methods, the objectives of EHR cannot
be achieved.
• Clinicians may find it difficult to adapt to an EHR that does not fit into an
organization’s existing work flows. Flaws in the design or the lack of training
could affect the ease of using the software.
• Data privacy issues are another major problem. Stakeholders may be concerned
about the privacy of patient data and HIPAA compliance. If there is a data breach,
the organization could get into a legal hassle and spend millions of dollars to
settle the dispute.
• Data migration is another issue associated with the electronic health record. It
involves logistics issues and any data entry required can become tedious and
time intensive. Moreover, the data to be migrated is private and sensitive and

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must be migrated accurately to ensure continued patient care. Also, organizations
may have to maintain old legacy systems for many years even after
implementing a new system due to legal and record access reasons.
• EHR systems are as yet not able to seamlessly exchange healthcare information
among diverse providers. This is frustrating for organizations trying to implement
the system.
• Lack of communication between providers and IT vendors can lead to problems.
Only with excellent communication can the system be customized to provide the
desired results.
How can organizations address these challenges effectively?
• The EHR implementation process must be delivered with a good promotion and
marketing plan.
• All stakeholders must understand that EHR implementation is an ongoing process
and the focus is on meeting the expectations of everyone using the system.
• Vendors should ensure that all concerns and feedback of the provider are
addressed appropriately.
• The staff must understand that the new system will introduce a better business
model and ensure them improved job satisfaction.
• Organizations can consider hiring a healthcare consultant to provide support
during the implementation process, and also hire temporary staff to carry out
more routine work duties.
• Regarding data, it is important to prioritize records to determine how far back the
data should be migrated. The most recent information should be available in the
system. One person can be assigned the task of uploading all the new information
that is delivered on paper or via fax.
• Delegate duties and responsibilities for team members. Ensure that the team has
contingency plans too.
No doubt, EHR systems will ease medical record analysis and such other processes
medical and legal entities require. The present-day healthcare system is value-based
and therefore the patient is at the centre. The needs of the patient must be given top
consideration when implementing new systems.