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February 2011 December 2012 Innovation: A look ahead EW FEATURE 39 Dr. Yeh keeps her EHR close to her patients so that she doesn���t lose quality time interacting with them Source: Jena Passut Lessons learned Here are some lessons from practices using EHRs to help you set course for a smoother implementation. 1. Talk to���and learn from��� colleagues who are slightly ahead of you in the planning stages, Mr. Lamont recommended. If you don���t feel comfortable talking to local competitors, then chat with fellow ophthalmologists at meetings or in internet discussion groups. Find out from colleagues how they chose the system they are using or plan to use and what their implementation plans are. 2. Research your potential vendor. Find out names of clients using their system, and ask them what they like or do not like about the system. Ask how much the system will come to you ready to use versus something that you have to set up yourself, Dr. Yeh suggested. For example, the company she works with has customized the system for her practice and then can pass on those customizations to future clients if they want. However, she has heard of systems that require complete assembly by the purchasing practice. ���It���s like buying a car and you just get the nuts, bolts, and tires. With the company we���re using, they present you with what they have learned from other people so you have a platform to build on,��� she said. 3. Do some test driving on a small scale. Dr. Yeh���s office had a successful implementation of their EHR system because they started in the smallest branch office to work out any kinks. Afterward, they gradually rolled out its use to other offices and doctors. Similarly, Dr. Macsai said that by spending as much time upfront learning the system as you can, you can discover the system���s capabilities before you even see patients. 4. Train���but save the physicians for last. ���Train everyone else first, such as the front desk staff and techs. Likely the staff will figure out many of the issues that can be addressed before the doctor goes live, decreasing doctor frustration,��� Dr. Macsai said. She also advised training the younger and most computersavvy doctors first and the least computer-savvy doctors last. Plus, roll out of the system will be easier if you have a ���supertech��� who can train others and answer random questions that come up around the office, Dr. Yeh said. continued on page 40 Poll size: 233 EyeWorld Monthly Pulse EyeWorld Monthly Pulse is a reader survey on trends and patterns for the practicing ophthalmologist. Each month we send a 4-6 question online survey covering different topics so our readers can see how they compare to our survey. If you would like to join the current 1,000+ physicians who take a minute a month to share their views, please send us an email and we will add your name. Email daniela@eyeworld.org and put EW Pulse in the subject line; that���s all it takes. Copyright EyeWorld 2012