EHR Optimization Team ready to roll
07/06/17 05:05:pm
“We are a strategic team that analyzes how we can leverage Cerner to improve clinical workflows and patient care. We then execute these ideas we have observed or that other EHR users bring to our attention and then follow up with clinicians to ensure that they are able to adopt the changes.” ~ Rochelle LeGendre, EHR optimization team member
With the goal of better serving patients and clinicians, a new team of clinical and technical experts is working to optimize the EHR by making it easier to use and taking advantage of its vast technical capabilities.
The EHR Optimization Team is working closely with the Rogers Improvement System as well as independently to expedite improvement efforts.
“As a service-oriented department, we seek the feedback of the employees we serve to help make their ability to effectively treat patients more efficiently,” says Adam El-Ali, vice president, EHR and revenue cycle optimization.
Team members agree. “We want to have a culture where people feel they can bring concerns and know they’re being heard,” shares Kristin Rose, RN, EHR optimization team member.
The team is excited about the time they save clinicians by improving the tools. “If we can get more nurses out on the floor, it’s better for patient satisfaction and it’s better for employee satisfaction,” says Austin Hammer, RN and EHR optimization team member.
Jessica Allard, RN comments that the optimization team members will often be the first person to help new Rogers’ clinicians onboard in the clinical setting. “We can give them a good start. They will feel supported.”
The team also works improve clinical workflows and the usability of the record. For example, they worked to standardize discharge documentation and rolled it out to an adult inpatient unit. The improvements are getting rave reviews from one user. “We love it! We can get it done twice as fast and everything is easy to find. The process helps to make sure we don’t forget anything,” says Vicki Olson, RN on the Adult Inpatient Unit at Oconomowoc.
Ultimately, it’s about patients. “If a patient is upset, you can talk with them longer instead of feeling rushed because there’s work to do,” comments Karynn Lehne, EHR optimization team member.
The Rogers Behavioral Health team is working closely with Cerner to create the best possible medical record for behavioral healthcare. “We’re setting the standard in behavioral healthcare technology and we’ll continue to leverage it to offer the most comprehensive healthcare experience,” says Paul Mueller, hospital division CEO.
