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So you’ve decided to update or upgrade your EHR software, or to finally move away from pen and paper and digitise your patient records. Perhaps your goal is to streamline your back office functions and administration processes – especially given the additional complications created by the sudden rise in remote working brought about by the […]
So you’ve decided to update or upgrade your EHR software, or to finally move away from pen and paper and digitise your patient records.
Perhaps your goal is to streamline your back office functions and administration processes – especially given the additional complications created by the sudden rise in remote working brought about by the pandemic.
Your main focus may be on improving patient care in ways that are specific to your practice.
Both are equally valid reasons for considering a software move, and both are goals we are equally committed to here at Meddbase.
Changing software in any industry can be somewhat disruptive to your staff, and to your organisation as a whole, and in a healthcare context it’s vital that the process is expertly managed to avoid common pitfalls.
As a software house we of course want to promote the benefits of moving to our software, but we always advise that it’s done for the right reasons and in a carefully considered manner. This is about long term success: it’s a marathon not a sprint.
That being said the first thing I want to give you, which may seem odd coming from the CEO of a software company, is a key reason NOT to switch software; and that reason is frustration.
At some point every client will have some frustrations with their current service providers. Short-term frustration alone is no reason to switch: no software solution is a magic bullet, and few products will ever do everything you want, the exact way that you want it, right out of the box.
But if you believe your frustration marks more than just a speed bump in an otherwise smooth road, or if you’re experiencing a consistent lack of functionality with your current provider – or if you have simply outgrown your current solution – then you know it really is time to prepare for transition.
The 3 Points To Consider Before Changing Your Healthcare Software
The most successful Meddbase implementations are championed by the people involved.
When you’ve got commitment from your staff and leadership to see the project through to completion, when you know it’s not necessarily easy to implement new software, but you’re aware that the short term pain will produce long term gain, when you can identify team members who will be internal leaders, and when there’s a person or a team within your organisation who can gather the necessary data, and be catalysts for change – then you know you are ready as an organisation to upgrade your software.
Figure out when the best time to change software would be for YOUR business. For example if your business is cyclical, consider timing the go live date to tie in with the natural slowdown. Changing software is a process that’s best planned ahead of time to minimise disruption. As part of the planning stage, and right at the start before you even set a timescale, check if you are under contract with your current provider, and make sure you give yourself enough time to switch.
Depending on the complexities of the conversion to Meddbase and the amount of consultancy you need, the process may take anything from weeks to months, so knowing your previous contract end date will help dovetail the transition.
Changing software is also a good opportunity to clean up your database, remove duplicate files and examine and streamline your workflows; don’t waste that unique opportunity to redesign the way your business operates.
And finally here’s a simple exercise to leave you with:
Make a list of what you like and don’t like about your current provider, along with a list of what you believe you’ll need most from your practice management software in future.
This part is key because changing software is about future-proofing your organisation so that your capacity to serve patients and build your business is propelled rather than curtailed by your software choice.
If this all sounds daunting, feel free to contact us anytime – our team can sit down with you to help. We understand that you may already have a detailed road map for your business, and we are happy to help you navigate.
