Hcs 483

Memorial Health System CPOE Implementation

HCS/483

January 14, 2013

Billy Kesserwani

Memorial Health System CPOE Implementation

Do you remember the last time that you bought furniture that needed to be assembled? It came with instructions on how to properly assemble the furniture. The implementation process of a health care information system is similar to the assembly process of a piece of furniture. And if the furniture is not assembled correctly, then it will not function correctly. The same is for an information system.

IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS

A typical implementation process consists of acquiring a system, gathering a team, gathering resources, and implementing the system. Gathering a knowledgeable team and resources are the toughest part of the implementation process. A team should consist of a project manager, a department lead from each department, and an IT professional. The primary role of the team is to plan, coordinate, budget, and manage the new system. During the planning phase, it is important that the team communicate the goals of the organization and how the organization can achieve them. Coordination and budgeting are two of the most involved roles of the team. Ensuring that everyone is doing their part, when they need to, and within the scope of the budget is what will keep the project on track.

FUNDAMENTAL AND PROJECT FAILURES

Mason Hospital did a phenomenal job at identifying their goal and implementing it into their plan. However, they became overzealous with what they wanted to offer the organization in an information system. This is why a project manager is such an important aspect of a team. The project manager can determine what the priorities of the organization are and make sure that they are implemented into the new system. Determining a timeline is vital to the completion of a project as well. The team at Mason Hospital did not discuss a timeline, nor did they identify any resources. Most importantly, a budget was not set...