Medical Management Services is pleased to share this blog which provides some very practical advice on training staff on a new EHR.

Electronic health record (EHR) implementation can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be something your practice dreads.

By providing proper training to your staff, you can avoid the setbacks and errors many practices face. Software Advice has compiled a list of five effective training tips to prepare your practice for a new system.

1. Identify Basic Computer Skill Levels and Provide Training.
   Step one involves assessing the computer proficiency of your employees. Consider administering a free or paid online test to assess computer skills, or even write your own assessment for your employees.If you find employees in need of basic training, you’ll need to get them up to speed. You could pay for classes at a local community college, or even hire an instructor to come to the office. Alternatively, you could use a free online resource such as the Goodwill Community Foundation.Basic computer training can make a transition from paper to electronic records less overwhelming for employees who don’t use computers regularly.
2. Select One or Two Tech-Savvy “Super Users.”
   These will be champions of your EHR system who will learn it backwards and forwards. They’ll be go-to contacts for others in your practice when questions arise.To find “super users,” look for people with:
   • High computer literacy;
   • Aptitude for learning quickly;
   • Willingness to teach others; and
   • At least one year of experience with your practice.

   Be sure the “super users” you designate don’t already have too much on their plates at work. Consider offering an incentive to “super users” (such as a small bonus or extra holiday) to motivate skilled employees to take on this added responsibility.

3. Only Train Employees on Areas They Will Use.
   Many practices try to train all employees on all facets of the EHR, but this is inefficient and often frustrating for employees.Only “super users” should be familiar with every feature of the EHR; training for all other employees should focus solely on those features they’ll actually need to use on a regular basis.
4. Gather Feedback Post-Implementation
   Training doesn’t end once the EHR is implemented. Once your EHR is live, you’ll inevitably encounter some hiccups, such as a function you just don’t understand or a workflow that needs to be revised.To discover these issues quickly, conduct regular feedback sessions that include different members of your organization, making sure that all types of user groups are represented.Identify problem areas, then prioritize them so that you can tackle urgent issues first. Take changes one step a time, starting with the most urgent, to ensure each is addressed appropriately and that patient care doesn’t suffer along the way.
5. Make Use of Your EHR Vendor’s Online Resources
   Most EHR vendors publish educational materials online, which you can access using a username and password provided by the vendor.These resources typically include training manuals, with step-by-step instructions for performing different actions within the EHR. You may also find community forums, which are often tied to EHR vendor websites, where you can engage with other EHR users.Though implementing a new EHR system poses challenges, your practice can eliminate common mistakes and headaches by using the tips laid out in this article.Employ a targeted implementation training and follow-up approach to ensure your staff can begin using the system efficiently in less time, allowing you to focus on what matters most: providing quality patient care.

Amanda Guerrero originally contributed this piece to Software Advice. Amanda is a writer and blogger specializing in EHR, patient portal technology and Meaningful Use. From her years working as a file clerk at a doctor’s office to her time as an implementation manager at an EHR company, Amanda has witnessed the evolution of the healthcare industry’s charting system firsthand. View the original post here: Five Best Practices for Training Staff on Using a New EHR.

Be sure to check out Medical Managment Services White Paper: 5 GUIDELINES to ENSURE the right EHR for your Practice!