Acme Medical Center is implementing a new electronic health record (EHR), converting from a system. Dana is the nurse manager of the orthopedic department which clusters outpatient, inpatient, and rehab services via product line management. In preparing her implementation plan for the new EHR, Dana anticipates several different employee responses to the change:
Kevin RN and Nancy RN are very enthusiastic about the new EHR and are very comfortable using technology.
Bob RN always resists change and avoids going to training until the last minute. He can use technology effectively but usually employs workarounds instead.
Sherri RN sometimes mimics Bob’s behavior but mostly goes with the flow. She has difficulty using technology and requires much support during transitions.
Dr. Phillips is the program director but plans to retire next year.
Dr. Wilson was a new physician to the program last year, but already admits more patients to the service than any other doctor. He also uses all the services of outpatient, inpatient, and rehab.
explain how Dana could utilize the theory you selected for your project to anticipate the transition to the new EHR. Dana wants to involve all the staff and physicians in the project. What activities could Dana assign to each person? Dana knows that unanticipated problems could arise during the transition, such as a power outage. How would your selected theory explain each persons’ reaction to such an event?
Understanding the Staff
To effectively implement the new EHR, Dana can utilize Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Theory to understand and manage the diverse reactions of her staff.
Assigning Roles and Responsibilities
Dana can leverage the strengths of each staff member to facilitate a smooth transition:
Addressing Potential Challenges
If a power outage were to occur during the transition, Dana could mitigate its impact by:
By understanding the different stages of adoption and tailoring her approach to each individual, Dana can effectively manage the EHR implementation process and minimize disruptions to patient care.