Electronic Medical Record Implementation for Public Health: A Best Practices Approach

While EMR solutions are not necessarily new to Public Health, the solutions ride a new wave of technology currently being reviewed for implementation into many local public health agencies.  Implementing any comprehensive technology solution requires detailed planning and a sound methodology to ensure success, and EMR solutions are no exception. To properly plan and facilitate the implementation of an EMR solution within public health, the use of sound, proven methodologies to address the business case, planning, implementation, and post-implementation requirements is essential to achieve the maximum benefit for organizations and realize an increase in the level of care for supporting communities. This presentation will review using a five step methodology consisting of an organizational needs assessment, infrastructure review assessment, procurement and project management processes, implementation management process, and a post-implementation workflow reengineering process. These processes, when implemented and employed effectively, serve to provide a fundamental framework to bring EMR solutions into Public Health agencies. Within this presentation, each component of the methodology will be discussed in detail and cross cutting activities will be highlighted to demonstrate how using this framework can assist public health agencies within the initiation, planning, execution, and operational activities required to successfully implement an EMR solution within their organizations.