EHR Implementation in South Africa: How do we get it right?

In an environment of expanding demand on the health care system to provide equitable, accessible and safe health care, usage of information communication technology is one of the strategies identified to fulfil such expectations. Electronic Health Record (EHR) is an important tool towards achieving better health care using such technology, although, across the world EHR implementation has experienced a high failure rate. Nevertheless South Africa has made a strategic decision to implement EHR system in the public health sector. An evaluation toolkit was developed, to measure the state of readiness of health institutions in South Africa in implementing EHR based on Kaplan and Norton's work on Balanced Score Card (BSC), and the subsequent variant model developed by Protti. A Critical Success Factor (CSF) scorecard to assess the state of readiness and a Balanced Score Card matrix to be used as a strategic framework was developed. These tools were validated using critiques by a panel of experts. The toolkit developed has the potential to assist the organization towards a better EHR implementation path.

[1]  Nancy M. Lorenzi,et al.  Organizational ISSUES=change , 2003, Int. J. Medical Informatics.

[2]  David W. Bates,et al.  Position Paper: Factors and Forces Affecting EHR System Adoption: Report of a 2004 ACMI Discussion , 2004, J. Am. Medical Informatics Assoc..

[3]  Jos Aarts,et al.  Organizational issues in health informatics: a model approach , 1998, Int. J. Medical Informatics.

[4]  David W. Bates,et al.  White Paper: Personal Health Records: Definitions, Benefits, and Strategies for Overcoming Barriers to Adoption , 2006, J. Am. Medical Informatics Assoc..

[5]  Bonnie Kaplan,et al.  Review: Addressing Organizational Issues into the Evaluation of Medical Systems , 1997, J. Am. Medical Informatics Assoc..

[6]  P. Basch.  Electronic Health Records and the National Health Information Network: Affordable, Adoptable, and Ready for Prime Time? , 2005, Annals of Internal Medicine.

[7]  R. Kaplan,et al.  The balanced scorecard--measures that drive performance. , 2015, Harvard business review.

[8]  R. Kaplan,et al.  Using the balanced scorecard as a strategic management system , 1996 .

[9]  Karim Keshavjee,et al.  Best Practices in EMR Implementation: A Systematic Review , 2006, AMIA.

[10]  Gilad J. Kuperman,et al.  Synthesis of Research Paper: A Consensus Statement on Considerations for a Successful CPOE Implementation , 2003, J. Am. Medical Informatics Assoc..

[11]  Denis Protti,et al.  AN ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF READINESS AND A SUGGESTED APPROACH TO EVALUATING INFORMATION FOR HEALTH : AN INFORMATION STRATEGY FOR THE MODERN NHS (1998 - 2005) , 2005 .

[12]  Susan H Fenton,et al.  Essential people skills for EHR implementation success. , 2006, Journal of AHIMA.

[13]  R. Kaplan,et al.  Having trouble with your strategy? Then map it. , 2000, Harvard business review.

[14]  Nancy M. Lorenzi,et al.  Review Paper: Managing Change: An Overview , 2000, J. Am. Medical Informatics Assoc..

[15]  Marc Berg,et al.  Case Report: Understanding Implementation: The Case of a Computerized Physician Order Entry System in a Large Dutch University Medical Center , 2004, J. Am. Medical Informatics Assoc..

[16]  D. Bates,et al.  Improving safety with information technology. , 2003, The New England journal of medicine.

[17]  J. Kotter.  Leading change: why transformation efforts fail , 2009, IEEE Engineering Management Review.

[18]  Jos Aarts,et al.  Using a descriptive model of change when implementing large scale clinical information systems to identify priorities for further research , 1999, Int. J. Medical Informatics.

[19]  E. Coiera.  Four rules for the reinvention of health care , 2004, BMJ : British Medical Journal.

[20]  Nancy M Lorenzi.  Beyond the gadgets , 2004, BMJ : British Medical Journal.

[21]  Joan S. Ash,et al.  Principles for a Successful Computerized Physician Order Entry Implementation , 2003, AMIA.