Editor's note: As part of our yearlong celebration of MRB's 25th year, we wanted to take a look back at article excerpts from years past. In some ways, things haven't changed much-getting physicians to complete documentation in a timely manner is still a challenge-but in others, it is clear that HIM has come a long way.
Hardware, software, people, policy, and process must work together to achieve your organization's EHR goals. One of the earliest matters that policy must address surrounds organizational readiness for an EHR. In fact, having a policy of regular readiness assessment is an important step toward success. Even if a certain project with a certain group goes smoothly, that doesn't guarantee success for another project. You may think a policy that focuses attention on planning is not necessary, but implementing an EHR is a spiral of change, with each cycle repeating itself in many ways, often with new twists and turns.
Somewhere between the third urgent item on your to-do list, getting your budgets prepared, and responding to the latest auditor's requests lies the omnipresent responsibility of nurturing the validity of the medical record. HIM professionals have traditionally been the legal custodians of the record. (After all, who else is daring enough to testify in court on the accuracy of the EHR?) Have we also by default become the custodians of data integrity?
Case managers and social workers have an active role in helping patients and families make end-of-life decisions such as using palliative care and hospice.
