You have also been informed that all of the computers in the facility are outdated. You will need to keep in mind your knowledge of data sets, EHR and CPOE systems, and patient demographic informatio

EHR Implementation-Needs Analysis Plan

The need analysis discovered many problems in the facility, such as outdated computers. It is critical to protect patient information, and hence, many safeguards must be put in place. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires that safeguards be put in place to protect patient health information (Cohen & Mello, 2018). It will thus be essential to do a HIPAA risk assessment. During this process, everyone will understand the importance of putting safeguards to protect patient health information.

The analysis revealed the need for higher security during the implementation of the system. More individuals will be required to monitor the system during the system update. In addition to this, an additional external hard drive will be required to save all files during data transfer in case of file corruption. This will ensure no patient data is not lost during data transfer. The hard drive will also require encryption to ensure that no unauthorized persons access the information in it. The analysis also revealed the need for continuous operation. The update process will thus be intermittent to allow each department to update its systems while still operating normally.

New computers will be installed, and software and hardware will be updated. After proper installation, screen guards and other accessories, such as printers and keyboards, will require installation. The need analysis revealed that each department would require an increase from the previous number of computers and accessories. During wire installation, proper insulation will be done to ensure that they are not a tripping hazard. After installation, it is critical to transfer information from the old system to the new system. This process will require hiring new staff to transfer the information, which may present many issues, such as higher costs. The process can also be achieved by the use of data migration software. This way is better since it will lead to faster data transfer. If data corruption occurs, the data will just be retrieved from the external hard drive that was used as a backup device.

The final part of the need analysis focused on staff training on the new program and system. Since the implementation process will occur gradually, a team will be required to educate the senior staff members on the new changes. This trained team will also be responsible for training the staff members. The first portion of the training will be challenging, but as the implementation process progresses, the process will get easier since the staff will learn from each other. The remaining staff members will also be educated on how to operate the new program after the complete implementation of the system.

It is important not to take any shortcuts throughout the implementation process. If any shortcuts are taken in the process, there could be potential loss of data or corruption of the data. Suppose at any part of the installation process, an individual feels that they may have accidentally corrupted or breached. In that case, an IT team will be on standby to help in data recovery or repair as soon as possible to minimize data loss or damage. The main aim of this process will be to ensure the safety and easy accessibility of the hospital’s records. It is critical that during the transfer process, data integrity is ensured. Data safety is the number one priority during the implementation process.

In conclusion, need analysis is important to prepare the environment for any changes that need to be implemented. This may include replacing old computers, staff training, and putting security measures to protect patient information.

References

Cohen, I. G., & Mello, M. M. (2018). HIPAA and protecting health information in the 21st century. JAMA, 320(3), 231. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.5630