Introduction
For nurse leaders, introducing a significant organizational change, such as implementing an electronic health record (EHR) system across multiple sites, can be difficult.
Barriers to Challenge Implementation
Employee Resistance
Staff members’ aversion to change is one of the main difficulties. Staff members may need to acquire new skills and procedures during the deployment of an EHR system, which can be demanding and time-consuming (Li et al., 2020). Resistance to change may result from this, which could impede the implementation procedure. To minimize resistance to change, nurse leaders must ensure that staff members are included in the implementation process and that their concerns are addressed effectively and promptly.
Financial Burden
The expense of implementing an EHR system could be another challenge that nurse leaders face. The adoption of an EHR system can be costly, with expenses ranging from software and hardware purchases to employee training and implementation. The financial section of the company must collaborate with nurse executives to create a budget and secure financing for the installation of the EHR system. The expense of the implementation may potentially cause delays or a narrowing of the implementation’s scope, both of which could reduce the EHR system’s efficacy (De Gagne et al., 2018).
Private Data Security
Data security and privacy issues may arise when integrating an EHR system across many sites. Sensitive patient information is contained in electronic health records, so its security is essential.
Conclusion
In conclusion, nurse leaders face a range of challenges when implementing significant organizational changes, such as implementing an EHR system across multiple sites. These difficulties include staff members’ aversion to change, the expense of implementation, and worries about data security and privacy. By including staff members in the implementation process, procuring funds for implementation, and ensuring that the EHR system complies with privacy and security standards, nurse leaders must address these issues. Nurse leaders can successfully integrate an EHR system.
References
De Gagne, J. C., Bisanar, W. A., Makowski, J. T., & Neumann, J. A. (2018). Adoption of electronic health records and barriers. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 8(9), 33-38.
Li, Y., Li, H., Li, X., & Zhang, J. (2020). Factors influencing nurses’ acceptance of electronic health records: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Nursing Management, 28(1), 20-32.