Healthcare is a world of continual change and adaptation. The conversion from one clinical/financial/pharmacy system to another system, while focusing on patient care, impacts the entire organization. Such a conversion requires investment in resources, capital, and time. It can result in a re-engineering of your workflow processes and optimizing the delivery of patient care within the constraints of the new system.
In the white paper entitled Healthcare System Conversions – Key Points To Consider, we outlined three types of conversions (System Upgrade, New Platform/Same Vendor, and New Platform/New Vendor) and five points to consider when planning for a system conversion.
Conversion to New Platform (New Vendor)
By leveraging outside expertise for the maintenance and optimization of the current system, the hospital can reassign key resources to the implementation of the new application. The same philosophy holds true with implementation of the new application. Due to the complexity and needs of the project, the use of experienced outside consultants plays a key role in meeting project objectives and timelines. The key is to leverage the expertise of the consultant in collaboration with the hospital team and the vendor.
Where/How to Engage Outside Resources:
Maintenance of Current Application:
There are routine daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance activities in which the organization engages. The outside resources play a key role in maintenance of the existing system while identifying optimization opportunities. Identifying small improvements in system “usability” enhances end-user satisfaction while using the existing system for day-to-day operations. Outside resources can support the hospital staff with the following:
Recommended Daily/Weekly Maintenance
System Maintenance
System Optimization
Implementation Support of new Application:
Outside resources with expertise in the new system provide guidance and support of the implementation. These consultants have experience with the new application and a very short start-up curve. These resources play key roles in the following areas:
Build
Integration
Report writing
Testing
Training
Go-live support
Post go-live support
Conclusion:
The ideal firm has consultants with experience on the existing platform, as well as experience with the implementation and use of the new platform. Leverage these resources to identify optimization opportunities for the existing platform and engage them in the design of the new application with this optimization in mind.
CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment to discuss your needs with HealthcareIS.