Organizational Change Plan

Organizational Change Plan

Introduction

Researchers, in the fields of medicine as well as information technology, have recommended the use of information technologies and electronic medical record (EMR) systems as tools to facilitate the procedures and quality of care or safety of patients. Recent research has shown that information technologies are capable enough to improve health outcomes by minimizing errors, improving clinical compliance or practice guidelines and ensuring preventive health services. Further, using an EMR, implemented under the umbrella of ERP, includes prescribing medicines, laboratory management, charting, etc. and gives significant financial benefits.  It is a fact that transforming manual health information systems into a computerized one offers the opportunity to improve health care and reduce costs, besides being a valuable aid to medical education, both pre and postgraduates. A solid computing foundation used as a source of data on which sound policies based health is paramount to improving the quality of health care, reduce costs and ensure access to such care. This is acknowledged in such a way that market information systems for health is described as the next fastest growing software industry. Different terminologies have been used to define electronic patient care records, with overlapping definitions. Electronic health record (HER) and electronic medical record (EMR) have gained widespread use. Electronic medical records as a hospital clinical information technology in the core, replacing the traditional paper medical records, medical records that retains the advantages of traditional (Evans et al., 2006). The implementation of EMR provides many functions such as it creates a comprehensive system of identification of all available information of patients. EMR also makes available all patient information collected by the medical center, to authorized personnel. Using EMR involves harmonization of data, data placement locations for later use (stores), minimum data techniques, machine interfaces, networks, etc. The aim is to achieve a certain state of interoperability within the health center. In addition, EMR also facilitates doctors, nurses and other health personnel to use the computer during the process of meeting with patients to provide direct input into the computer or interact with it (Wellen et al., 2000).

Discussion

Implementing change is difficult as it is associated with emotional intelligence of people who work in the organization. It is a fact that there are many obstacles that affect the implementation of e-Health initiatives usually by medical professionals. Earlier research has identified some obstacles that affect the implementation of incoming change include financial disincentives, lack of facilities or equipment, local standards of care not in line with desired practice, knowledge and attitudes of individuals, problems in patient interactions. Further it is also important to understand the need, benefits and outcome that a health organization will receive by investing in the EMRs. Apart from all the obstacles, strategies should be adopted in order to benefit healthcare system from technology. (Luo, 2006).

Goals and Objectives

Organizations must clearly define its vision, goals and objectives in relation to the change. In addition, all employees should have a clear understanding about the organization's vision. This could be achieved by publishing and ...