Successful EHR implementations: attitude is everything.

Kenneth G. Adler, MD, MMM P reviously I wrote a “how-to” article describing how to achieve a successful electronic health record (EHR) implementation. I sorted the dos and don’ts of implementation into three categories that I called team, tactics and technology, and focused on the teamwork, knowledge and skills needed to succeed. I still find that paradigm useful. In the past few years, however, I’ve been able to observe a number of EHR implementations around the country. In addition to my full-time family medicine practice, I work as an IT medical director for a large primary care group in Arizona that to date has implemented an EHR in 23 unique office practices. Previously I consulted for the now inactive DOQ-IT (Doctor’s Office Quality Information Technology) program, which was designed to help small practices select and implement EHRs, and I now consult independently around the country on new and troubled EHR implementations. The new lesson I’ve learned is this: Attitude matters. A lot. It may not quite be “everything,” but the right attitude will help bring you far on your EHR journey.