This essay focuses on the case of Partners Healthcare Systems (PHS), a general hospital based in Massachusetts/USA which introduced an electronic medical records system together with a computerised patient order entry system in order to increase the quality of health care delivery (Kesner, 2009). The essay begins with an outline of the issues faced by the organisation in the implementation of their new information management system, before proceeding to utilise services management theory to outline possible future options for the organisation to pursue in order to address these issues.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. IMPLEMENTATION SYSTEM
3. FUTURE OPTIONS
4. CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Themes
This study examines the challenges faced by Partners Healthcare Systems (PHS) during the implementation of electronic medical records and computerized patient order entry systems, aiming to identify management strategies to overcome practitioner resistance and ensure long-term integration.
- Strategic implementation of healthcare information management systems
- Addressing organizational and technological infrastructure barriers
- Overcoming healthcare practitioner resistance to digital workflows
- Applying service management theories to clinical environments
- Long-term organizational readiness and communication strategies
Excerpt from the Book
IMPLEMENTATION SYSTEM
Partners Healthcare (PHS) was established in 1994 as a result of the union of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital (Kesner, 2009). PHS consist of a system for delivering integrated healthcare whose prime aim is to ensure the high quality of health care provision – as of 2008, PHS provided services for 160,000 hospital admissions and 4 million outpatient visits, with 5,000 practising physicians (Dolan, 2011). The significant size of PHS meant that it held a large number of patient information records (concerning more than 4.6 million patients) (Dolan, 2011). In order to reduce the risk of human error, of the misplacing of patient information and of duplication of work, PHS implemented an electronic medical records (EMS) system, which ensured that all patient information stored on the network was available to all service providers. In addition, PHS adopted a computerised patient order entry (CPOE) system, which made it possible for all prescriptions issued to patients to be automatically stored on the network, as well as any other medical therapies which were formally recommended by physicians (Kaushal et al, 2005).
PHS faced a number of challenges as a result of the implementation of the new system. Firstly, many of the offices of the doctors working within PHS lacked the necessary information technology infrastructure to be able to support the new system. In addition to the lack of technical infrastructure, PHS also faced challenges in being able to train all the future users of the system due to the busy schedules of doctors and the fact that training would prevent them from spending time seeing patients (Kesner, 2009).
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the growing importance of information management systems in healthcare to reduce preventable errors and the specific case study of Partners Healthcare Systems.
2. IMPLEMENTATION SYSTEM: Details the specific technological systems adopted by PHS and analyzes the primary obstacles, including infrastructure deficits, training constraints, and practitioner resistance.
3. FUTURE OPTIONS: Proposes strategic management solutions such as robust communication plans and optimized training schedules to increase system adoption.
4. CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the findings, reinforcing that organizational readiness and consistent staff communication are critical to the success of technological innovations in healthcare.
Keywords
Information management, healthcare delivery, Partners Healthcare Systems, PHS, electronic medical records, EMR, computerised patient order entry, CPOE, service management, technology acceptance model, organizational readiness, healthcare technology, clinical workflow, innovation implementation, system adoption
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper critically discusses the role and benefits of transferring healthcare delivery in the US through better information management, specifically examining the case of Partners Healthcare Systems.
What are the central themes discussed in the document?
The central themes include the implementation of electronic medical records (EMS), computerized patient order entry (CPOE), management of organizational change, and the reduction of human error in clinical environments.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to explore the challenges of implementing new information systems in large healthcare organizations and to outline management strategies to address resistance and ensure successful adoption.
Which scientific theories are applied in the study?
The study utilizes the Technology Acceptance Model and the theory of organizational readiness to analyze the organizational shift during the implementation of new information technologies.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body details the operational scope of PHS, the specific barriers to implementation like infrastructure gaps and high costs, and proposes strategies for management to improve communication and training.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The paper is characterized by terms such as information management, PHS, EMR, CPOE, technology acceptance, and organizational readiness.
Why was it difficult for PHS to implement the new systems?
PHS faced significant challenges including a lack of necessary IT infrastructure in doctor's offices, busy schedules preventing staff training, resistance from practitioners preferring handwritten methods, and high implementation costs without government subsidies.
What role does the Technology Acceptance Model play in the author's argument?
The model is used to argue that successful system implementation depends on users being convinced that the technology is easy to use and provides practical, tangible benefits to their daily work.
What specific future options does the author suggest for PHS?
The author recommends that senior management develop a comprehensive communication plan using emails and face-to-face presentations to explain the practical benefits of the system and improve practitioner engagement.
- Quote paper
- Alexander Schmithausen (Author), 2012, The role and benefits to transfer health care delivery in the US through better information management , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/229713
