Key Takeaways

• Sentara’s EHR migration faced challenges primarily due to cultural changes within the IT organization.
• Effective migration requires agile practices and proper project management to minimize disruptions.
• Sustained success hinges on change management and adopting a new operating model rather than simply moving records to the cloud.

Challenges in EHR Migration

Sentara’s transition to a cloud-based Electronic Health Record (EHR) system encountered hurdles, particularly related to cultural adjustments within the IT department. As Thomas explains, the most significant challenge was overcoming internal silos in favor of more collaborative methods. To facilitate this, Sentara adopted agile, DevOps, and DevSecOps practices, enabling closer cooperation among operations and security teams. “It changed how we work in IT,” Thomas notes.

Planning for Success

Migration requires meticulous planning and phased implementation to lessen disruptions to clinical operations. Kees Hertogh, Microsoft’s vice president of public sector and healthcare marketing, emphasizes the importance of treating migration as a major program that necessitates strategic project management and robust risk mitigation plans. He warns that many organizations mistakenly view the first day of migration as the most critical milestone. “The hardest thing is day two and beyond,” Thomas adds, highlighting that the real work begins after the initial transition.

Embracing Change

Achieving long-term success with a cloud-based EHR system demands a cultural commitment to change. Thomas stresses that organizations must fully engage with new cloud practices rather than clinging to outdated on-premises workflows. Failure to adapt leads to the creation of a secondary IT team that operates under different protocols, forming yet another silo.

“Hence, a genuine EHR cloud migration requires a transformation of culture and processes, not merely the relocation of records,” Thomas elucidates. He asserts that the goal is to transition to a business operating model that fosters successful migration.

Importance of Change Management

Change management plays a pivotal role in this process, according to Hertogh. He advises stakeholders—from clinicians to board members—to understand the rationale behind the cloud transition. Sharing a roadmap and celebrating early victories, such as improved performance in testing environments, can significantly enhance buy-in for the ongoing changes.

In summary, for healthcare organizations looking to migrate their EHR systems to the cloud, the road to success is paved with effective change management practices and a commitment to evolving workflows. By addressing cultural shifts and meticulously planning for post-migration operations, organizations can better position themselves for long-term success in the cloud.

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