A New Approach to Meaningful Use: Lessons Learned from St. Luke's Ambulatory EMR Rollout

As CIOs, we are constantly faced with the daunting task of implementing electronic medical records (EMRs) in our organizations. However, sometimes these implementations do not go as smoothly as we would like, and we are left with the challenge of redoing the rollout. This is exactly what St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network experienced when they attempted to implement an ambulatory EMR for their employed doctors.

In this podcast, Anthony Guerra speaks with Chad Brisendine, VP & CIO at St. Luke's, about his organization's experience with implementing an EMR and the lessons they learned along the way. According to Brisendine, the first time around was a difficult experience for the hospital. The doctors were not enamored with the functionality of the system, and after studying it, the organization decided that it could not suffer the loss of productivity that would come with implementing the EMR.

However, this experience has taught St. Luke's valuable lessons that they will apply to their next attempt at implementing an ambulatory EMR for their employed doctors. Brisendine emphasizes that the key to a successful implementation is understanding the certification process and meeting Meaningful Use criteria for Stage 1, Stage 2, or Stage 3.

St. Luke's has been having conversations with all the HIE vendors to learn more about their products and how they can help the hospital achieve its goals. With this knowledge, Brisendine and his team are confident that they will be able to implement a successful ambulatory EMR rollout for their employed doctors.

In conclusion, implementing an EMR is a complex task that requires careful planning and execution. By understanding the certification process and meeting Meaningful Use criteria, organizations can avoid the pitfalls of failed implementations and achieve a successful outcome. As CIOs, it is our responsibility to ensure that we are providing the best possible care for our patients, and implementing an EMR is just one of the many ways we can do so.

Download this podcast and subscribe to our feed at iTunes to hear more about St Luke's new ambulatory EMR strategy and how they plan to achieve success in their next attempt at implementation.

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