17 May Vanderbilt Preps for Massive Epic EHR Go-Live
Electronic health record system conversions are one of the largest undertakings an organization can undertake, and Epic go-lives are famous for sometimes going wrong.
However, Kevin Johnson, MD, thinks that doesn’t have to be the case.
“Every EHR install tests the entire structure of an organization, such as governance, accountability and communication skills,” said Johnson, who is vice president for health IT and chief informatics officer at Nashville-based Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Johnson, who is the EHR project leader of Vanderbilt’s conversion, is focusing on three core components to successfully launch its Epic EHR in November: people, process and technology. And technology is the smallest concern of the three.
“It’s almost invariable when people have challenges with their Epic, Cerner and Athenahealth installations that people and process issues are at the core,” said Johnson.
While it’s difficult to compare installations, there are core functions of the organizational structure that can make an install easier. Vanderbilt’s 120 clinics and outpatient sites are focusing on unique training techniques for its 19,000 employees to bolster the rollout.