Since the electronic medical records software transition can be a big push for many healthcare facilities and their employees, oftentimes, proper installation of these programs necessitates that doctors acquire outside assistance. By not hiring expert help, doctors may need their employees to work more than they're used to, a development which could have a significant impact on the organization's ability to provide a consistently excellent level of care.
While small medical facilities generally only need to commit to a few part-time hires or the full-time assistance of an experienced software provider, larger facilities often need to make more expansive preparations.
For instance, Sanford Health, a Fargo, North Dakota-based healthcare provider that offers services in eight states, announced on November 28 that they will be hiring 100 temporary employees to help them install their new software, according to the Grand Forks Herald.
In total, the $8 million transition will require that these 100 new employees help train the
organization's roughly 10,000 employees. According to the news source, the company has hired nearly 90 percent of the applicants it has received so far – around three quarters of which have college degrees. However, only time will tell if this was the most effective approach Sanford Health could have taken when compared to the available alternatives.
Luckily, small medical facilities don't need to make this sort of investment. These facilities can turn to alternative means such as purchasing their software from a provider that offers EMR software along with low-cost installation and training services. For example, by purchasing new Lytec, Allscripts or Practice Choice software, doctors and small facilities can ensure that their transition process occurs in a manageable and orderly manner.