Written by Tammy Mudge Sunday, 22 November 2009 07:50

Installing an EMR system is a scary, overwhelming thought for most office managers.  I'll never forget what one office manager once said to me.  She said that she wasn't sure if she needed a consultant or a wizard.  She was certain that she was going to be caught in a tornado crying out for her Aunty Em throughout the entire process and wake up in an office filled with talking trees and flying monkeys.

One could learn a great deal from Dorothy's experience in Oz and apply it to their EMR conversions.  First things first, I needed to assure this manager that I was not going to let any houses land on her.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Just where is that place?  Before you select the right software vendor, you need to know where you want this product to take you.  Develop the process to determine your needs and wants.  How do you run your practice now; what will you need in the future?  What information has to go into your system, what information must be able to be generated, and what process and procedures must that system perform for your providers to practice and your staff to complete their daily functions?

Follow the Yellow Brick Road - a roll out plan is your next step.  What are the steps you must take from start to finish?  This is your path to success; the road that leads you to the Emerald City.  Odds are that you will face a few "lions and tigers and bears" along the way, so be sure to have your contingency plans in place.

Avoid Flying Monkeys - Who are the flying monkeys?  They would be the people in the office who are scurrying around in a panic, certain that the process is going to fail.  They are the people who fight change and spread negativity through the practice.  Protect yourself from flying monkeys by making sure everyone feels that they are part of the process; both in decision making and training.  Fear comes from the unknown and negativity feeds from lack of involvement.  

Most practices already have what it takes, as did the characters from the Wizard of Oz.  They may just need that "man" behind the curtain to remind them to find it in their heart to accept change, educate their brains by making sure they are properly trained, and with that they will find the courage to succeed.

Call us consultants or wizards, we at HIC don't mind; just call us.  Put on those sparkling red shoes, click your heels together and say "There's no reason to wait, there's no reason to wait, there's no reason to wait."