Question

CASE STUDY The ABC Home Health Agency is a nonprofit, MedicareThe Agency has used an automated billing, statistical, and certified organization established in the mid-1950s in a small financial management information system for 15 years. Clini Midwestern city. It is accredited by the Accreditation Com cians enter all patient data using an unstructured, narrative, mission for Health Care, Inc. The agency offers a continuum automated software system. The previous director, who has of preventive and therapeutic services that have an individual, just retired, did not believe that the cost was justified to imple family, and community focus. Clinicians provide services to ment an EHR capable of capturing discreet clinical data to atients ranging in age from infants to elders. The agency support tracking patient-specific assessment information, employs supervisory, administrative, IT, and support staff, identifying the specifics of care, and generating outcome mea as well as 45 clinicians: 25 nurses, 10 home care aides, 5 home sures. You have just been hired as the new director. The board makers, 3 physical therapists, I occupational therapist, and I of directors asks you to investigate purchasing an EHR and social worker. Staff members are on call 24 hours a day ABC Home Health Agency services include (1) skilled home health and hospice: (2) home care aide and homemaker, (3) Discussion Questions private duty, including nursing, personal care, and respite I. Should you introduce the clinicians to standardized termi- are: (4) wellness, flu, and immunization clinics; (5) school health; (6) jail health; and (7) durable medical equipment. There are two hospitals with about 100 beds and 15 physi cians within the service area. The Agency has a good the clinicians what you selected? working relationship with both hospitals and the physicians. 2. What steps would you need to complete before reporting submit your recommendations to them nologies and involve them in discussions about EHRs before contacting potential software vendors? Or should you contact vendors, select the best software, and tell lany patients followed by the Agency have been referredto the board of directors? rom these services. Last year the Agency provided 20,345 3. What strategies will likely increase your chances of suc cess? What strategies will increase your chances of failure?

Answer 1

1. We should consult the Clinicians about the standard terminologies and the discuss about the new software. The clinicians are in direct contact with the patient, and the EHR data come from their side only. So, the involvement of the clinicians is very important, as a director one may lack patient data experience, which can be provided by the clinicians only. Hence, before consulting to software company, the clinician’s advice should also be taken.
2. Before reporting to board of directors, a well planned and tested software should be developed. The software should be free of flaws and should be tested to serve the purpose.
3. As the hospital system lacks a good EHR system, the implementation of the HER system, which is capable of serving all possible aspect for the patient care and ease the working of the employees would help one to get success. Also, the early implementation would be good. Valuing information provided by all the clinicians can help in making a successful software.

In case, the new director failed to make any change, and cannot work for the betterment of the system then the chances of failure would increase Also, not taking help and advice from clinicians would be a barrier to make an easy to access and use software.