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HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION
A lot of research has
been done on how to successfully implement new technology within a healthcare
organisation. Organisations like the Center for
Health Systems Research and Analysis (CHSRA) regularly carry out
studies on organisations that have implemented computer-based health support
systems.
Studying of both failed and successful technology
implementations tends to reveal a lot of information that can be used by other
healthcare organisations when implementing their own technological solutions.
Some of the factors that can be used when evaluating such implementations
include:
-
Organisational Factors: These include factors such as whether the
technology is in line with the mission of the organisation, and what is likely
to be the effect on the organizational long-term goals. An important factor to
bear in mind is that organisations where there is a high level of
inter-departmental cooperation are more likely to succeed with new technology
implementation.
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Leadership Factors: Top management support is essential for the success
of the implementation of new technology. It is also important the leadership
should be without internal wrangling that hinders the rollout of project. They
should understand the technology and its likely impact on their organisation
but also be innovative enough to meet the challenges that would be brought
about and carefully manage trade-offs between the changes brought about by the
introduction of the technology.
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End-User Factors: Factors here
include end users understanding the need for the introduction of the new the
technology. The technology at the time
of implementation is not out of date and it is easy to use. At the University
of Virginia, when a clinical information system was introduced in 1998,
physicians downed tools for two days to protest the difficulty of using the
system. Another important factor to consider is whether adequate technical
support is available for the end users.
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Promotional Factors: Local champions actively and enthusiastically
promoting the new technology within the organisation and to patients, building
support and overcoming resistance throughout the organisation would probably be
needed to ensure the implementation success.
Regular updates sent to key figures within the organisation would also be a
plus in ensuring implementation success.
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Technical Factors: It is important that the newly implemented technology
slots in comfortably with procedures that are already in place and already
existing technologies. The technology should be easy to implement and vendor
support should be readily available. Another factor to be considered would how
easy it is to train staff to act in implementation and support roles.
Technology implementation is hard work and there are
many factors to be considered when evaluating the success of the technological
solution. The most important ones to remember would that there is a good
understanding of the technology and its benefits by the top management and that
there is end-users acceptance and involvement. It is also advisable to give a
reasonable amount of time for the end users to get accustomed to the technology
and its promotion has done throughout the organisation, especially in areas in
where they it is going to be used on a regular basis.
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