Comments on: Overcoming The Penguin Problem: Setting Expectations for EHR Adoption

By: Zach

Zach — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:50:21 +0000

Your insight into this issue is spot on.
At the heart of improving adoption of EHRs is people & process, not necessarily technology. It’s been my experience that some people are simply not ready for innovation and need time to adjust.
Then there’s the process. In an ambulatory setting, process is everything. At the center of that process is a paper chart.
Case in point – I’ve observed seasoned healthcare professionals shaking uncontrollably with fear and anger in their eyes when I tell them that I’m going to help replace their paper chart with an EHR.

What they all seem realize at that very moment is that their entire world is about to change. They feel that everything they’ve accomplished in their career, the knowledge, the seniority, the respect, is now in jeopardy because it’s all predicated on them knowing the process of health care documentation and delivery, both of which dramatically, and even physically, change with and EHR.

After eight years and 200+ implementations I’ve had only one clinical staff member quit on me during a project. And it’s something I will never forget. A nurse with 30 years in the industry simply got up from the table, walked out and never came back to work.

My point is the EHR adoption issue always seems to be related to people & process, not necessarily the technology.

Change leadership is needed.

By: Bart Collet

Bart Collet — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:53:27 +0000

Reading: "Overcoming The Penguin Problem: Setting Expectations for EHR Adoption" ( http://bit.ly/4EMpZU )

By: racep

racep — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:03:48 +0000

The EHR Penguin problem http://bit.ly/t9Evm

By: Vince Kuraitis

Vince Kuraitis — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:32:00 +0000

Bob T.

You’re absolutely right…Difficult to use EMR 1.0 software is another factor that has limited adoption.

I’m not suggesting that the penguin problem is the only factor to explain current low EMR adoption.

I am suggesting that overcoming the penguin problem (i.e., the Govt. resetting expectations through HITECH) can be a strong contributing factor in future adoption.

By: Bob T

Bob T — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:25:08 +0000

The penguins are all on the ice because last time they dived in they got eaten and chased by killer whales aka EMR vendors. Even physicians can learn from pain. The truth is EMR’s are not new and have been around for 30 years or more. Most physicians have some experience with them. Most of the experience is bad for the simple reason they were not designed to aid in the care of patients. Until they are and user interface issues are adequately addressed, the piguins will rightfully stay on the ice.

By: arthurwlane

arthurwlane — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:53:52 +0000

Overcoming The Penguin Problem: Setting Expectations for EHR Adoption (V. Kuraitis): http://bit.ly/t9Evm

By: Practice Fusion

Practice Fusion — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:20:55 +0000

What you know about penguins can help you with #EHR implementation … http://tinyurl.com/m87r94