A qualitative analysis of an electronic health record (EHR) implementation in an academic ambulatory setting.
OBJECTIVE
To determine pre-implementation perspectives of institutional, practice and vendor leadership regarding best practice for implementation of two ambulatory electronic health records (EHRs) at an academic institution.


METHODS
Semi-structured interviews with ambulatory care network and information systems leadership, medical directors, practice managers and vendors before EHR implementation. Results were analysed using grounded theory with ATLAS.ti version 5.0.


METHODS
Qualitative data on perceived benefits of EHRs as well as facilitators and barriers to successful implementation.


RESULTS
Interviewees perceived data accessibility, quality and safety measurement, improvement and reporting as benefits of EHR use. Six themes emerged for EHR implementation best practice: effective communication; successful system migration; sufficient hardware, technical equipment, support and training; safeguards for patient privacy; improved efficiency; and a sustainable business plan.


CONCLUSIONS
Achieving the benefits of EHRs identified by our interviewees depends on successful implementation and use. Further identification of best implementation practices for EHRs is required, given the financial and clinical consequences of poor implementation.
Yoon-Flannery
Kahyun
K
Department of Public Health, Weill Cornell Medical College, and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Zandieh
Stephanie O
SO
Kuperman
Gilad J
GJ
Langsam
Daniel J
DJ
Hyman
Daniel
D
Kaushal
Rainu
R
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003142:Communication; D003219:Confidentiality; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D006270:Health Facility Administrators / Q000523:psychology; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009519:New York City; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods