It was my pleasure this morning to bring several nursing informatics professionals together on a webinar to exchange information regarding EHR Big Bang implementations. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all participants and wish them continued success in all endeavors.

The group discussed that the planning for a “big bang” implementation needs to start from the beginning of the project.  This means in the contract phase, not to say that another activation approach maybe used, but that if a big bang activation may be considered,plan immediately for the possibility.   Everyone in the organization and your IT partners need to understand that the “bar has been raised”.   Your implementation approach needs to define the activities and tasks that = a successful big bang activation.

Other points of discussion regarding staffing, standardization of the order catalog, “sign offs” , service level agreements, education on future workflows, parallel testing and future workflow confirmation to include processes like billing and clinical audits.  The big bang activation approach needs to creative and well defined.

The group requested a follow up webinar that will be held in about 30 days.

“If You Want to Start Doing Something New, Stop Doing Something Old”
                                              Peter Drucker