Since organizations do not exist in a vacuum, it is essential for them to adjust to changes occurring in their business environment. According to Liebler and McConnell (2017), to adapt to new conditions, an organization may apply such strategies as reducing costs, modernizing equipment, or restructuring its departments. The health care organization I work for went through a big transition a few years ago when it transitioned from paper charts to electronic medical records (EMRs).
When the government suggested that healthcare organizations should provide their patients with EMRs, my organization decided to implement this tool in its work. They chose to use Epic’s healthcare software and registered all their clients there. The system allowed the hospital to improve its outpatient care because clinics could keep patients’ documentation more effectively than before. The adaptation was successful because, before starting modernization, the organization elaborated a detailed plan describing every aspect of the upcoming change. The hospital decided how it would evaluate the progress of the system implementation, and how end-users would be taught to use the software. The employees were able to attend sessions, during which they practiced working with the program. Besides, the hospital did not stop educating its staff after the system was already functioning. It allowed employees to become confident users of the EMR system, thereby improving the efficiency of patient care.
To sum up, it should be said that integrating an EMR system was a complicated task since it required installing the necessary software and teaching the staff to use it. However, this modernization was justified as it improved the working processes of the hospital. Thus, the case of my healthcare organization demonstrates that adaptation to changes may enhance the performance indicators of an organization if it follows an elaborate and realistic plan.
Reference
Liebler, J. G., & McConnell, C. R. (2017). Management principles for health professionals. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.