Not Involving Docs Plagued EMR Implementation at Georgia Health System

June 16, 2014
The lack of involvement from end-users is one of the chief reasons there was a significantly botched implementation of the electronic medical record (EMR) system at Athens (Ga.) Regional Health Systems, according to a new report in the Athens Banner-Herald.

The lack of involvement from end-users is one of the chief reasons there was a significantly botched implementation of the electronic medical record (EMR) system at Athens (Ga.) Regional Health Systems, according to a new report in the Athens Banner-Herald.

The botched EMR implementation was reportedly one of the main reason James “Jamey” Thaw, the health system's CEO, resigned a few weeks ago and senior vice president and CIO, Gretchen Tegethoff resigned a few days after Thaw. After the failed EMR implementation, doctors in the health system had lost confidence in the administration. They called the EMR rollout too aggressive and said the system led to medication errors and put patients at risk.

A report in the Athens Banner-Herald from over the weekend detailed some of the issues that led to the failed EMR implementation. In an interview Athens' senior vice president and CMO, James L. Moore, said that some of the qualms from doctors on the EMR were real and some were theoretical. The real issues included missed medication doses and lab tests not coming through. He says that as a result of those mistakes, "everybody became hyper-vigilant."

In an interview in the Athens Banner-Herald, Cerner vice president Michael Robin said that end-users were not involved enough with the implementation process. The typical successful project, he told the paper, includes doctors in the project. Another Cerner executive interviewed for the piece concurred and noted that workflow and design should have been decided by physicians and not the IT staff. Robin said that right now clinicians are driving the project and getting it back on track.

Read the source article at Online Athens

Sponsored Recommendations

Improving Workplace Safety and Patient Care in Behavioral Health

In 2023, Vail Health enhanced safety in their behavioral health clinic, but the impact went beyond their expectations. Read their case study to see how prioritizing workplace ...

Transforming Hospital Capacity Through Smarter Patient Progression Strategies

Helping patients move seamlessly through every stage of their care, from admission to discharge, is critical to ensuring patient safety, improving outcomes, and optimizing capacity...

Beyond the AI Buzz: How Clinicians Can Leverage AI for Value-Based Success

Watch on-demand to explore the impact of implementing AI in primary care settings to reduce burnout and thrive in value-based care. Including practical takeaways on driving clinician...

Building the Connected Hospital: Bridging Operational Gaps Through Technology

Join industry leaders to explore how advanced technologies like RFID, AI, EMR, and ERP systems are transforming hospitals into connected ecosystems that enhance efficiency, streamline...